Current:Home > reviewsGary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports -FundPrime
Gary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:22:37
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! (31489)
Related
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- 9 mass shootings over the weekend rock US cities, leaving 5 dead, 56 injured
- Elon Musk, X Corp. threatens lawsuit against anti-hate speech group
- Upgrade your tablet tech by pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 for up to $820 off
- Trump's 'stop
- Pamper Yourself With Major Discounts From the Ulta 72-Hour Sale
- GOP presidential race for Iowa begins to take shape
- Upgrade your tablet tech by pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 for up to $820 off
- Trump's 'stop
- TSA probes Clear after it let through a passenger carrying ammo
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Mega Millions jackpot soars over $1 billion: When is the next drawing?
- What you need to know about swimmer's ear, a potentially serious infection
- Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman actor and comedian, dies at 70 after private cancer battle
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Arrow's Stephen Amell Raises Eyebrows With Controversial Comments About Myopic Actors Strike
- Former GOP Senate leader in Connecticut who resigned amid a legislative probe dies at 89
- Chipotle is giving away free guacamole Monday. Here's how to get some.
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Mega Millions jackpot at $1.05 billion with no big winner Friday. See winning numbers for July 28
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver still hospitalized, Scutari is acting governor
Here’s What Sofía Vergara Requested in Response to Joe Manganiello’s Divorce Filing
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Trader Joe's issues third recall, saying falafel might contain rocks
What does 'lmk' mean? This is the slang's definition and how to use it correctly.
Flashing 'X' sign on top of Twitter building in San Francisco sparks city investigation