Current:Home > ScamsGary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports -Thrive Capital Insights
Gary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:23:54
Singer-songwriter Gary Wright, best known for his groundbreaking album "The Dream Weaver," has died. He was 80.
Wright died Monday at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, his sons Justin and Dorian confirmed to ABC News and Variety, respectively.
Wright’s son Justin told ABC News that his father had been battling Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia for the past six years.
USA TODAY has reached out to Wright's representative for comment.
Born in April 1943 in New Jersey, Wright found some success as the keyboardist for the British hard rock band Spooky Tooth. Following the group's disbandment, Wright devoted his efforts to his solo music career, releasing the albums "Extraction" and "Footprint" in 1970 and 1971, respectively.
Wright’s 1975 album "The Dream Weaver" became his breakthrough hit, boasting a pair of No. 2 singles in 1976: "Dream Weaver" and "Love is Alive." The soft rock album was also recognized as one of the first rock albums to feature only synthesizers.
"It was a big deal creatively because I had been working with basically a guitar-oriented band, which was Spooky Tooth," Wright told The Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2011. "I had never consciously sat down and said, 'I'm going to do an all-keyboard album.' It just fell into place as I was writing the songs for the album."
The album went on to sell 2 million copies, and its title track "Dream Weaver" has been featured in films such as as "Wayne's World, "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and "Toy Story 3."
Wright also lent his musical talents to his peers. The singer played keyboards on Beatles guitarist George Harrison's 1970 album "All Things Must Pass."
Steve Harwell:Former Smash Mouth singer dies at 56: 'A 100% full-throttle life'
'He lived his life like a song':Jimmy Buffett, 'Margaritaville' singer and mogul, dies
Contributing: Rick De Yampert, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
veryGood! (4171)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- A police officer was accused of spying for China. The charges were dropped, but the NYPD fired him
- Minnesota penalizes county jail for depriving inmate of food and water for more than 2 days
- A Georgia prison warden was stabbed by an inmate, authorities say
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- As Texas border arrests law teeters in court, other GOP states also push tougher immigration policy
- Watch Kim Kardashian Kiss—and Slap—Emma Roberts in Head-Spinning American Horror Story Trailer
- Reddit poised to make its stock market debut after IPO prices at $34 per share amid strong demand
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Amazon's Big Spring Sale Deals on Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks for $29, Fire Tablets for $64 & More
Ranking
- Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case reaches 'impasse' over NIL information for CU star
- California wants to pay doctors more money to see Medicaid patients
- Public royal Princess Kate went private: Abdominal surgery, photo scandal has rumors flying
- Stock market today: Asian shares rise after Wall Street rallies to records
- US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
- NY state asks court not to let Trump forgo $454M bond during fraud case appeal
- Richard Simmons diagnosed with skin cancer, underwent treatment
- Christine Quinn's Husband Christian Dumontet Arrested for Assault With Deadly Weapon
Recommendation
Giants, Lions fined $200K for fights in training camp joint practices
Judge rejects Apple's request to toss out lawsuit over AirTag stalking
'Jeopardy' crowns winner of 2024 Tournament of Champions: What to know about Yogesh Raut
Who is Brian Peck? Ex-Nickelodeon coach convicted of lewd acts with minor back in spotlight
Hidden Home Gems From Kohl's That Will Give Your Space a Stylish Refresh for Less
Conviction reversed for alleged ringleader of plot to kidnap and kill Minnesota real estate agent
The BÉIS Virtual Warehouse Sale Is Here, Shop Bestsellers Like The Weekender Bag & More for 40% Off
Richard Simmons diagnosed with skin cancer, underwent treatment