Current:Home > MarketsGary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports -EliteFunds
Gary Wright, 'Dream Weaver' and 'Love is Alive' singer, dies at 80 after health battle: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:52:00
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! (97441)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- A state’s experience with grocery chain mergers spurs a fight to stop Albertsons’ deal with Kroger
- 'Hacks' star's mom and former SNL cast member slams 'The Bear,' says it's not a comedy
- Emmys 2024: Sarah Paulson Called Holland Taylor Her “Absolute Rock” and We’re Not OK
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Abercrombie & Fitch Quietly Put Tons of Chic Styles on Sale – Score an Extra 25% off, Starting at $9
- Sofia Vergara's Stunning 2024 Emmys Look Included This $16 Beauty Product
- The Key to Fix California’s Inadequate Water Storage? Put Water Underground, Scientists Say
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Michigan names Alex Orji new starting QB for showdown vs. USC in Big Ten opener
Ranking
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Georgia keeps No. 1 spot ahead of Texas in NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 as Florida State tumbles
- Bridgerton Season 4 Reveals First Look at Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha as Steamy Leads
- Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby signs two-year contract extension
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Oregon Republicans ask governor to protect voter rolls after DMV registered noncitizens
- Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Swift Shares Sweet Moment with Travis Kelce's Mom
- Firefighters make progress in battling Southern California wildfires amid cooler weather
Recommendation
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
You'll Melt Watching Selena Gomez's Goddaughter Cheer Her on at the 2024 Emmys
They often foot the bill. But, can parents ask for college grades?
2 charged in case of illegal exports for Russian nuclear energy
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Britney Spears Shares Rare Message to Sons Jayden and Sean Federline for Their Birthdays
Partial lunar eclipse to combine with supermoon for spectacular sight across U.S.
Steve Gleason 'stable' after medical event during hurricane: What we know