Gary Wright, the celebrated musician renowned for his chart-topping hits “Dream Weaver” and “Love Is Alive,” has passed away at the age of 80. The sad news was confirmed by his son Dorian, with the cause of death remaining undisclosed.
Gary Wright was not only a powerful and soulful singer but also a versatile keyboardist. He began his musical journey as a founding member of the U.K.-based band Spooky Tooth. Wright’s talents as a session player were in high demand from the late ’60s onward, contributing to the works of music legends such as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Nilsson, Tim Rose, B.B. King, and many others. However, he will forever be remembered for his mid-1970s hits, characterized by a vaguely mystical, synthesizer-driven style that was emblematic of the era. Notable examples of this style include Steve Miller’s “Fly Like an Eagle.”
A native of New Jersey, Gary Wright initially pursued a career in acting, appearing on Broadway in a production of “Fanny.” However, he eventually decided to venture into medicine and traveled to Berlin for medical studies. Throughout this period, he continued to play with various bands, including one known as the New York Times. During a 1967 European tour with Traffic, Wright crossed paths with Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, the label responsible for Traffic’s success. This encounter, facilitated by their mutual friend, producer Jimmy Miller, led Blackwell to encourage the young musician to relocate to London. There, he joined forces with pianist Mike Harrison and drummer Mike Kellie, forming the influential band Spooky Tooth, with Wright serving as the lead vocalist and organist.
Spooky Tooth’s first two albums, “It’s All About” and “Spooky Two,” both produced by Jimmy Miller, did not achieve significant commercial success but garnered considerable attention within the music industry. The band members were in high demand for session work, and their songs were covered by numerous artists. For instance, Three Dog Night covered “I’ve Got Enough Heartache,” the Move regularly performed “Sunshine Help Me,” and Judas Priest recorded “Better by You, Better Than Me.” Unfortunately, the band’s third album, “Ceremony,” marked a creative misstep, leading to Gary Wright’s departure from the group in 1970.
Wright subsequently signed with A&M Records and released the impressive solo album “Extraction” in 1970. During this period, he collaborated with drummer Alan White and bassist Klaus Voorman, both of whom introduced him to the Beatles’ circle. As George Harrison worked on “All Things Must Pass” with producer Phil Spector, Voorman recommended Gary Wright for additional musical contributions. Wright, who happened to be engaged in another session elsewhere at the time, swiftly canceled that session and made his way to EMI’s iconic Abbey Road studios. This marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship with George Harrison, with Wright contributing to all of Harrison’s solo albums and various related projects. He also played a key role in Ringo Starr’s early singles, such as “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Back Off Boogaloo.” Gary Wright’s collaboration with Harrison extended to a memorable appearance on the American TV show “The Dick Cavett Show” in 1971.
In the following years, Gary Wright reformed Spooky Tooth and released two albums while continuing to work closely with George Harrison, sharing a mutual interest in Eastern religions and even embarking on a trip to India together in 1974.
After the reformed Spooky Tooth disbanded once more, Gary Wright relocated to New York and joined forces with influential manager Dee Anthony, who also managed Humble Pie and the soon-to-be superstar Peter Frampton. Wright signed with Warner Bros. Records and released “The Dream Weaver” in 1975. While the album’s title track was a slow climber on the charts, it eventually became a major hit, propelling Gary Wright to stardom by the following spring. However, it took nearly two years before he followed up with “The Light of Smiles,” and subsequent efforts did not match the success of his earlier work. His last charting single was “Really Wanna Know You” in 1981.
In subsequent years, Gary Wright became known for his instrumental and soundtrack work, although he made a surprise appearance in the 1992 film “Wayne’s World,” performing a re-recorded version of “Dream Weaver.” He later returned to more conventional rock music and released a series of albums, with “Connected” being his final release in 2010. Additionally, he reformed Spooky Tooth in 2004 and maintained an active touring schedule, both as a solo artist and as part of Ringo’s All-Starr Band.
Gary Wright’s enduring impact is evident through the continued covers and samples of his songs by artists ranging from Chaka Khan to Jay-Z and Tone-Loc.
