Singer-songwriter Gary Wright, best known for his groundbreaking album “The Dream Weaver,” has died at the age of 80.
Wright died Monday at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, his sons Justin and Dorian told ABC News and Variety, respectively.
Wright’s son, Justin, told ABC News that his father had been battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy for six years.
USA TODAY reached out to Wright for comment.
Born in April 1943 in New Jersey, Wright enjoyed good fortune as keyboardist for the British hard rock band Spooky Tooth. After the band disbanded, Wright continued 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 groundbreaking hit, with two No. 2 singles in 1976: “Dream Weaver” and “Love is Alive. “The comfortable rock album was also identified as one of the first rock albums to feature only synthesizers.
“It’s very important from a creative standpoint because I’m basically playing with a guitar-focused band, Spooky Tooth,” Wright told the Daytona Beach News-Journal of USA TODAY in 2011. “I’ve never consciously sat down and said, ‘I’m going to make an album entirely on the keyboard. It all fell into place when I wrote the songs for the album. “
The album sold 2 million copies and its theme song “Dream Weaver” was featured in films such as “Wayne’s World”, “The People vs. Dream”. Larry Flynt” and “Toy Story 3”.
Wright also lent his musical to his peers. The singer played keyboards on Beatles guitarist George Harrison’s 1970 album, “All Things Must Pass”.
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Contributor: Rick De Yampert, The Daytona Beach News-Journal