Tributes are flooding in for Gary Wright, the musician known for the 1976 hit Dream Weaver and major work on former Beatle George Harrison’s solo album All Things Must Pass, who has died aged 80.
Gary’s son Justin Wright told TMZ that his father died on Monday morning at his home in California’s Palos Verdes Estates and said the singer-songwriter had been battling Parkinson’s disease for five to six years, and had more recently developed Lewy body dementia.
Justin said that the composer’s Parkinson’s symptoms had gotten considerably worse in the past year, unfortunately leaving Gary without the ability to speak or move much. He added that home nurses who had cared for the musician informed his family members a few days ago that he was nearing the end of his life.
Among the celebrities sharing kind words about the hitmaker after his passing was 71-year old singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop. He wrote in a moving tribute: ‘It is with great sadness that I received the news of my dear friend Gary Wright’s passing.
‘The attached photos hold precious memories from the very first and last time we shared the stage together, alongside our mutual musical pal John Ford Coley. Gary’s vibrant personality and exceptional talent made every moment together truly enjoyable.’
Smart and talented: Out of feat that pursuing music was ‘too unstable’ of a career choice, Wright studied to become a doctor at the College of William & Mary in Virginia and New York University before attending Downstate Medical College for a year (seen in 2019)
‘It is with great sadness that I received the news of my dear friend Gary Wright’s passing. The attached photos hold precious memories from the very first and last time we shared the stage together, alongside our mutual musical pal John Ford Coley,’ Stephen Bishop tweeted. ‘Gary’s vibrant personality and exceptional talent made every moment together truly enjoyable’
Grieving: Singer-songwriter Al Stewart, best known for his 1976 hit single Year of the Cat, also took to the platform to mourn the loss of his longtime pal
‘So sorry to hear about the passing of Gary Wright. He was one of the nicest rock stars I ever had the pleasure of interviewing, and he leaves behind a wonderful body of work. Condolences to his family, friends and fans,’ radio personality, Andre Gardner, wrote on Twitter
The two-time Grammy nominee continued: ‘His legacy will live on for many years to come. I will always cherish the warmth and kindness shown to me by Gary and his wife Rose, and I will forever hold dear the stories he shared with me about days gone by. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.’
Radio personality Andre Gardner wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘So sorry to hear about the passing of Gary Wright. He was one of the nicest rock stars I ever had the pleasure of interviewing, and he leaves behind a wonderful body of work. Condolences to his family, friends and fans.’
Grammy winning solo artist-producer and co-founder of Ambrosia David Pack also paid his respects to the hitmaker.
Accompanied by a picture of the two together on stage, he wrote: ‘It’s with a heavy sigh that I bid farewell to a dear friend, the incomparable Gary Wright. I send deep condolences to his family including Rose, Dorian, & Justin.
‘Starting with Spooky Tooth, I watched Gary evolve into a true music star. He was a legend with his breakthrough hits dream Weaver and my love is alive, as well as play keyboards on every George Harrison solo album. I truly believe Gary is in paradise and he and George are already working on new music.’
He continued: ‘I cherished Gary as my neighbor that I had for so many years. He would walk to my house with a bag of fresh tomatoes from his garden with his gardening hat. That’s the real Gary, a smile on face, wanting to share with his neighbor. That’s the spirit that wrote those classic songs.’
Singer-songwriter Al Stewart, best known for his 1976 hit single Year of the Cat, also took to the platform to mourn the loss of his longtime pal.
‘Rest in peace, Gary Wright. Al and Gary were friends for a long time, and it was Gary who introduced Al to his touring band, The Empty Pockets. Al and Jill Stewart would like to send their condolences to Gary’s wife, Rose, and his family,’ he posted.
Final note: Gary Wright, the musician known for the 1976 hit Dream Weaver, has died at the age of 80. Gary’s son Justin Wright told TMZ that his father died on Monday morning at his home in California’s Palos Verdes Estates after battling Parkinson’s and dementia; seen in 2014 in NYC
After a private health battle: Gary’s son Justin Wright told TMZ that his father died on Monday morning at his home in California ‘s Palos Verdes Estates
George HARRISON; playing acoustic guitar, c.1970/1971. Their professional relationship blossomed into a long-lasting friendship, reportedly ‘based on music and their shared interest in Indian religion’.
Wright was surrounded by his family members at the time of his death, according to TMZ.
His other son, Dorian, took to Instagram to reveal he was able to spend the morning sitting in ‘lotus by’ his ‘father’s side chanting and meditating for 2 hours’.
‘As I chanted his last chant I watched him take his last earthly breath. Thank you dad for letting me help you leave your body for the Astral Plane!’ he captioned a photo of his father’s The Dream Weaver album, Jai Guru.
Following news of his death, fans also joined in to pay tribute to the songwriter, with many remarking on his legacy and contribution to music.
One, who seemingly was also referencing Margaritaville singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett’s passing over the weekend, tweeted: ‘Rest in peace Gary Wright. It seems like everything and everyone is fading away.’
Another wrote: ‘One of my first album purchases was Gary Wright’s ‘Dream Weaver’ in 1975. Thanks for the tunes, sir. RIP.’
Someone else posted: ‘RIP Gary Wright. 80 years young. ‘Dream Weaver’ and ‘Love is Alive’ will always be favourites.’
Final moments: His other son, Dorian, took to Instagram to reveal he was able to spend the morning sitting in ‘lotus by’ his ‘father’s side chanting and meditating for 2 hours’ (Wright’s son posted this shot of the cover of his dad’s album, The Dream Weaver)
RIP: Following news of his death, tributes began pouring online, with many remarking on his legacy and contribution to music
Elizabeth Freund, a rep for Wright, told PEOPLE in a statement how she ‘first met Gary Wright in 2008 when he joined Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band, and worked with him on number of projects over the following years. He was a phenomenal musician and a truly peace and loving human being. The word devoted comes to mind.’
‘Very kind and very spiritual. I was always struck by his deep and enduring love for his darling wife Rose who I’m thinking of now. Your Love Is Alive – now and always Gary,’ Freund continued in a statement. ‘Thanks for the music Dream Weaver. Sending his family peace and love. RIP #garywright #ringostarrandhisallstarrband #peaceandlove.’
His highest-charting songs, Dream Weaver and Love Is Alive both peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
He was born and raised in Cresskill, New Jersey.
At just seven, he made his TV debut at the age of seven on the show Captain Video and His Video Rangers.
This sparked his love of the entertainment industry, and led him to appear in various TV and radio commercials, before landing a role in 1954 Broadway production of the musical Fanny.
He spent two years with the production, starring opposite of Florence Henderson.
During his adolescence, he studied piano and organ and led to him performing in various local rock bands with his peers while attending Tenafly High School.
Music lover: During his adolescence, he studied piano and organ and led to him performing in various local rock bands with his peers while attending Tenafly High School; seen in 1978
A legend: He previously cited his musical influences as h rock ‘n’ roll artists Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Beatles as well as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown; seen in 1977
Out of feat that pursuing music was ‘too unstable’ of a career choice, Wright studied to become a doctor at the College of William & Mary in Virginia and New York University before attending Downstate Medical College for a year.
As he specialized in psychology, he continued to perform with local bands, according to an interview with the radio station, 100.3 The Sound.
Ultimately, he completed his studies at the Free University of Berlin, before finally abandoning his plans to pursue medicine.
He previously cited his musical influences as h rock ‘n’ roll artists Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Beatles as well as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown.
Wright went on to join Mike Harrison and Mike Kellie’s band, Spooky Tooth. The group released its first album together, called It’s All About, in June 1968.
The record featured six songs he co-wrote with either Miller, Harrison or Luther Grosvenor, including Sunshine Help Me.
Next, the band released Spooky Two, which gained much more critical acclaim for its hits, That Was Only Yesterday and Better By You, Better Than Me, in 1969.
That same year, they also dropped their third record, Ceremony.
‘We should have really taken off after Spooky Two but we got into the absurd situation of letting Pierre Henry make the Ceremony album. Then he took it back to France and remixed it,’ Wright said in a 1973 interview.
The right move: In 1970, he left the band to pursue a solo career (seen in 2014)
Gary Wright, performing in Detroit, USA, 23rd March 1977
Recording artist Gary Wright performs during the David Foster and Friends concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center October 15, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada
In 1970, he left the band to pursue a solo career.
After signing with A&M Records, he recorded Extraction, which included his songs Get on the Right Road and The Wrong Time.
At the time, former Beatle George Harrison asked him to play on his album All Things Must Pass.
Their professional relationship blossomed into a long-lasting friendship, reportedly ‘based on music and their shared interest in Indian religion’.
‘We were very close,’ Wright confirmed to Smashing Interviews Magazine in 2010. ‘We became good friends very quickly. We shared similar Eastern philosophies. He was very much into that and so was I. That was our immediate link.’
Wright would later share details about their bond in his 2014 book Dream Weaver: A Memoir; Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison.
‘I always had a feeling that God existed and was helping me,’ Wright said in a 2014 interview.
‘It wasn’t really defined clearly but I knew there was something there and it wasn’t until I met George Harrison that I started to really begin to delve deeply into spiritual life.’
He went to play on Harrison’s subsequent solo albums and other songs that the English musician produced for Apple Records.
He entire solo discography includes Footprint (1971), The Dream Weaver (1975), The Light of Smiles (1977) Touch and Gone (1977), Headin’ Home (1979), The Right Place (1981), Who I Am (1988), First Signs of Life (1995), Human Love (1999) and Waiting to Catch the Light (2008) and Connected (2010).
Wright was survived by his wife of 38 years, Rose, and their two children Justin and Dorian.