Why Jim Messina Picked Kenny Loggins Over Dan Fogelberg - INTERVIEW

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This story is a perfect example of maybe you want something, maybe you're sure that's the thing to do but just maybe you don't have the best choice is out of sight and perhaps just around the corner. Your life can change on a dime. Chance is a funny tricky fellow. After he spent time with Buffalo Springfield on their last album as a member and producer and doing the same with Poco for their first two studio albums and first live project he wanted to go home to produce and right. But Messina was in demand and possibilities came knocking from a few artists most notably Dan Fogelberg and Kenny Loggins.
INTERVIEW CLIP
Loggins and Messina charted 10 songs on the Billboard Top 100, three in the Top 40. Their biggest hit was “Your Mama Don't Dance” which peaked at #4. There's been a few reunions through the years and the pair remain close. Coming up next week how it all fell together for Loggins and Messina.

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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a news man so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first album, “Madman Across The Water” by Elton John as a teen. In the 80's Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show “The Cross Canada Report” which had two version (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the popular Lovesongs at QM-FM in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.

Heading West by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license ()

[OrganizeCreateDecorate]

Though I've always loved Loggins and Messina music, I'm so glad Dan stayed on his own. No one will ever be more talented than he was. No one.

[jeffmoore]

Dan Fogelberg was the most talented musician in recent times. If you look beyond his radio hits you will see his music and lyrical talents..

[tompelham]

DF didn't need a partner! Poet, master musician. He stood out among many of his contemporaries as an artist, Truly

[kathrynmolesa]

Loggins and Messina were so wonderful together. Their songs are so beautiful.

[Zero]

Dan Fogelberg doesn't get the credit he deserves.

[maninthewilderness]

Dan was a minstrel who stayed true to himself. Because of his art his music resonated with a segment of society who appreciated the brilliance of his songs on love, mother nature and his love for the open water as a mariner. He was not an industry lemming and for that we have the gift he left his audience. By the way, his great songs are not limited to the radio hits and are found within his library of songs. So glad he stayed true to his artistic direction and did not join a partnership beyond Tim Weisberg.

[raymac]

Dan is my all-time favorite, and Kenny was before Dan was....Kenny had one of the top power male voices of the era, while Dan had the complete package of writer, poet, musician. Hard to compare them, but it was probably best that Kenny got the gig with Messina, as Dan was always more of a solo artist, and true to satisfying himself with his risk-taking releases.

[kinut]

I first saw Dan Fogelberg perform at the Red Herring in Champagne Illinois. I like many of his early songs without all the strings and things, just a piano and/or guitar and his voice--simple and from the heart.

[barbaramccroy]

We saw Kenny Loggins in concert in the early 80’s, he did put on a great concert but my family were and always will be Dan Fogeburg fans. R.I.P Dan Fogerburg. Dan Fogeburg put out some beautiful music. Thanks for sharing.✌️🦆

[neatstuff]

In my book Dan Fogleberg was the best singer songwriter there ever was. RIP Dan. Thank you.

[leonthompson]

But Dan Fogelberg turned out to be great as well. His lang zyne is one of the best ever written along with Leader of the band. Fantastic

[deanmarkham]

Dan Fogelberg stands alone as a singer/songwriter, an amazing musician! Always a fan, no one better in that arena! Miss him!

[TheEqualizer]

Well in one interview of Dan Fogelberg. He said something about liking his music first and not to kowtow to commercial aspect. So he writes his songs in the manner how he likes and wants it and not being dictated of what will sell. Of course he has been grateful having plenty of followers regardless.

[hzv]

I never knew any of this - thank you for sharing this. I guess, either way the universe has a way of making things work out as they should. Both Dan Fogelberg and Loggins and Messina gifted the world with a tremendous amount of beautiful music in their own right. I'd like to think that things worked out just as they should have.

[gregjames]

Fogelberg's Innocent Age is my second favorite album. Every song is special.

[starboard]

Dan Fogelberg was absolutely brilliant...I'm so glad he never joined ANYBODY.

[debbieedwards]

Interesting! Loggins & Messina still is one of my favorites to listen to. They were genius on stage. Loved their band.Saw them 4 times. Thanks, enjoyed your interview. Looking forward to the continuation.

[TerryD]

That’s 100% Dan. He never recorded to achieve popularity. Just wanted to follow what moved him and let the chips fall where they will. I respect that.

[heydadchannel]

Great interview, with the inside story. I listened to both - but I only had one L&M album and bought everything Dan made. Saw Dan live twice.

[seattlejayde]

Dan Fogelberg is a true artist, not a sellout. A true artist