Current:Home > StocksGary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports -Achieve Wealth Network
Gary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:42:20
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! (554)
Related
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
- Review: The simians sizzle, but story fizzles in new 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'
- Baby Reindeer’s Alleged Real-Life Stalker “Martha” Reveals Her Identity in New Photo
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava Steps Down Days After Miss USA Relinquishes Title
- 50 Cent Sues Ex Daphne Joy After She Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Physical Abuse
- As Patrick Beverley calls his actions ‘inexcusable,’ police announce they’ve opened an investigation
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Idaho man gets 30 years in prison for 'purposely' trying to spread HIV through sex
Ranking
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- When do new episodes of 'Hacks' Season 3 come out? See full schedule, cast, where to watch
- Are Americans losing their taste for Starbucks? The whole concept got old, one customer said.
- Man indicted in killing of Laken Riley, a Georgia case at the center of national immigration debate
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- How Jewish and Arab students at one of Israel's few mixed schools prepare for peace, by simply listening
- The 9 Best Sunscreens For Dark Skin, According To A Dermatologist
- Cara Delevingne Shares Heartfelt Advice About Sobriety Amid Personal Journey
Recommendation
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
Country star Cindy Walker posthumously inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
An 'Office' reboot is coming at last: See where mockumentary crew will visit next
Civil suit settled in shooting of Native American activist at protest of Spanish conquistador statue
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
What Really Went Down During Taylor Swift and Teresa Giudice's Iconic Coachella Run-in
Attorney shot, killed after getting into fight with angry customer at Houston McDonald's: Reports
Serial jewel thief replaces $225,500 Tiffany diamond with cubic zirconia, NYPD says
Like
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Arkansas cannot prevent 2 teachers from discussing critical race theory in classroom, judge rules
- Skeletons missing hands and feet found at Hitler's former headquarters in Poland — but cause of death remains a mystery