Azoff And Fogelberg Reunited As Estate Inks Deal With Iconic Artists Group To Manage Catalog

The estate of multi-platinum singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg has entered into an agreement with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group to develop the late artist’s catalog and manage his legacy, bringing Fogelberg and Azoff full circle from the very beginnings of their careers.

The deal reunites Fogelberg and Azoff, whose relationship dates to 1970 when the college pals dropped out of the University of Illinois and drove to Los Angeles, determined to make it in the music business. Fogelberg had promised his band leader father Lawrence, whom Fogelberg would later immortalize in his song “Leader of the Band,” that he would return to college if there was little success after a year. It wasn’t necessary – both Azoff and Fogelberg’s careers far exceeded any of their expectations (Azoff is a co-founder of Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company).

 “I love that story,” said Jean Fogelberg, Dan’s widow. “As Dan recounted it, they stayed with Irving’s Aunt Bernice for a few weeks before moving to a one-bedroom apartment on Holloway Drive, just down the street from Tower Records. While Dan worked on his music, Irving made inroads with his customary energy and determination, netting Dan a record deal at Columbia Records. In time, they both became very successful, but through the years their friendship remained unchanged. Dan always considered Irving ‘family,’ and told me if I needed anything after he was gone, I could count on Irving, and he was right.”

Given the long association between her husband and Azoff, the deal is a natural fit. 

“When Iconic Artists Group approached me about curating Dan’s catalog, I didn’t have to think about it for very long,” Jean Fogelberg stated. ‘Partnering with Iconic feels like a natural continuation of the work Irving and I have done together since Dan died in 2007. I’m excited about the possibilities of collaborating with a dedicated team of industry professionals, and I take comfort in knowing that Dan’s legacy will be nurtured for generations to come.”

Azoff said, “Dan Fogelberg and I met at school at the University of Illinois. He was the folk guy, and I booked the rock clubs. The first time he came by my little office, someone stole his bicycle!  Acting upon our dreams and our belief in his talent, we made our way to L.A. like so many others in the early ‘70s. The rest is history. I am so grateful to Dan and Jean for the trust they have put in Iconic and the Azoff family. (My wife) Shelli and I were married as my closest friend Dan sat at the piano and played ‘To the Morning.’ I can’t believe he has been gone 16 years. I still miss him greatly. I am honored to work with Jean continuing the fine work she has done to manage Dan’s legacy.”

One of the most popular singer/songwriters of the ’70s and ’80s, Fogelberg as performer across many genres and performed a one-man show at Carnegie Hall when he was 27. His second album, the 1974 Joe Walsh-produced Souvenirs, hit the Top 20 and led Fogelberg into a three-decade run that would include 11 platinum and two gold albums. His best-known songs include “Longer,” “Run For The Roses,” and the seasonal staple “Same Old Lang Syne.”

While his biggest hits were soft rock and ballads, songs like “Face The Fire,” “The Spirit Trail,” “Phoenix,” “Empty Cages,” “As The Raven Flies,” “Exiles,” “She Don’t Look Back,” “The River,” “The Power of Gold,” “Missing You,” “The Nature of the Game,” and songs from Dan Fogelberg Live – Greetings From The West CD and DVD show Fogelberg’s rock, blues, and lead guitar work. A fan of all genres of music, Fogelberg also recorded bluegrass, country, and renaissance music.

Fogelberg died of prostate cancer in 2007. He was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame; the Red Rocks Performers Hall of Fame; and in August 2017 he was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame during a sold-out tribute concert at Fiddler’s Green amphitheater near Denver. 

Fogelberg has sold more than 16 million albums including one triple platinum, four double platinum, three platinum, and two gold RIAA-certified albums. He reached Billboard’s Top 100 and Top 200 charts in all-genre, country, adult contemporary and mainstream rock album and Top 50 singles categories. 

 The Fogelberg agreement follows Iconic’s recent acquisitions of interests in the catalogs of Cher, Dean Martin, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Nat King Cole, Linda Ronstadt, and Joe Cocker.  Iconic launched in January 2020 with the acquisition of a controlling interest in the legendary catalog of The Beach Boys.