Don Fogelberg passed away Sunday of prostate cancer; he was only 56, and his cancer was only diagnosed 3 years ago.

I had no clue who he was when I first got to college, but I used to hear about him all the time. Then I discovered Netherlands, which, being a piano laden song, instantly captivated me, as I was a music major whose instrument was the piano. I then listened to a lot of his music, though I confess that I never bought a single record.

A few years later his stuff was commonplace on pop radio, and he had turned into this major pop stay. The rock crowd, who felt they had supported him when no one else knew who he was, felt as though he'd sold out, but, since I wasn't with the rock crowd, I didn't care. There's never been anything wrong with a song that has a melody, nice lyrics, and just makes people feel good.

Still, his passing of prostate cancer scares me. My doctor has told me that I should have one when I turn 50, and I'm getting ever so close to that age. I've said I don't want to do it, but it seems this particular cancer, if found early, is easily treatable, but if found late, is drastically tragic. So, I guess if I've been able to convince myself to take the needle for diabetes, I can let someone scope me for cancer.

R.I.P., Dan Fogelberg.