Friday, November 8, 2024

RIP Gary Wright, Singer of Hits “Dream Weaver,” “Love is Alive” Played on All of George Harrison’s Albums, Ringo’s First 2 Hits

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Gary Wright has died at age 80. He’d been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s Disease several years ago.

Wright was a member of the band Spooky Tooth until he went solo in the early 70s. He had two massive hits, “Dream Weaver,” and “Love is Alive,” in 1975, which are still heard all the time on oldies radio.

Gary Wright also had a Beatles connection. A gifted keyboardist, he played on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” album and on all of George’s solo albums He also worked, through George, on Ringo Starr’s first two hits, “Back Off Boogaloo” and “It Don’t Come Easy.” He toured with Ringo and His All Starr Band many times.

Wright, who lived in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and was American — despite all his UK music connections. He was a big supporter of Barack Obama, and let Obama’s campaign use “Dream Weaver” as a campaign song.

A real talent, Wright is already getting Twitter tributes from lots of stars. One from singer songwriter Stephen Bishop is below. Condolences to his family but his music lives on!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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