Gary Wright facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gary Wright
Wright performing in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Gary Malcolm Wright
Born	(1943-04-26)April 26, 1943 Cresskill, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	September 4, 2023(2023-09-04) (aged 80) Palos Verdes Estates, California, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock progressive rock soft rock world music new age
Occupation(s)	Musician singer composer
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards
Years active	1960–2017
Labels	20th Century Fox Island A&M Ariola Goodear Warner Bros. Cypress Triloka/Worldly High Wave Music Larkio

Gary Malcolm Wright (born April 26, 1943 – died September 4, 2023) was an American musician and songwriter. He was most famous for his hit songs "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" from 1976.

His big breakthrough album, The Dream Weaver (1975), came after he had spent seven years in London. There, he was part of the British blues rock band Spooky Tooth and also a solo artist. While in England, he played keyboards on former Beatle George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass (1970). This started a friendship that inspired Gary Wright's later songs, which often had themes of Indian spirituality. Later in his career, he explored world music and new age styles.

Before becoming a musician, Gary Wright was a child actor. He performed on Broadway in the musical Fanny. He then studied medicine and psychology in New York and Berlin. After meeting Chris Blackwell from Island Records in Europe, Wright moved to London. He helped make Spooky Tooth a popular band for live shows. He also wrote many of their songs, including for albums like Spooky Two (1969).

His solo album Footprint (1971) included help from George Harrison. Around this time, Wright formed a band called Wonderwheel with guitarist Mick Jones, who later became famous with Foreigner. In the early 1970s, Gary Wright also played on recordings for famous artists like B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ringo Starr, and Harry Nilsson. His musical friendship with George Harrison lasted until Harrison's death in 2001.

In the early 1980s, Wright started working on film soundtracks. He re-recorded "Dream Weaver" for the 1992 comedy movie Wayne's World. After Spooky Tooth reunited for a tour in 2004, Wright often performed live. He played with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band, with his own band, or in other Spooky Tooth reunions. His later solo albums, like Waiting to Catch the Light (2008) and Connected (2010), were released on his own record label, Larklio. In 2014, he published his autobiography, Dream Weaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison.

Early Life and Beginnings

Gary Wright grew up in Cresskill, New Jersey. He started acting on TV at age seven on a show called Captain Video and His Video Rangers. He also appeared in TV and radio commercials. In 1954, he got a part in the Broadway musical Fanny. He played Cesario, the son of Fanny, who was played by Florence Henderson (later known from The Brady Bunch). He was with the show for two years and performed with Florence Henderson on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Gary learned to play piano and organ. He led several local rock bands while attending Tenafly High School. In 1959, he made his first recording, a single called "Working After School," released in 1960.

At first, Gary didn't think music was a stable career. He studied to become a doctor at the College of William & Mary and New York University. He also spent a year at Downstate Medical College. All this time, he kept playing with local bands. After focusing on psychology in New York, he went to West Germany in 1966 to finish his studies.

Music Career

1967–1970: Joining Spooky Tooth

Gary Wright said his early music influences were R&B artists like Ray Charles and James Brown, along with rock 'n' roll stars like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course, the Beatles. While in Europe in 1967, Gary decided to stop studying medicine and focus on music. He toured with his band, the New York Times. They opened for the English group Traffic in Norway. There, he met Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.

Blackwell invited Wright to London. He joined English singer Mike Harrison and drummer Mike Kellie in their band Art. The group soon changed its name to Spooky Tooth. Gary became a lead singer and played the Hammond organ. Spooky Tooth became known as a strong hard rock band in Britain.

Their first album, It's All About, came out in June 1968. Gary wrote or co-wrote many of its songs. Spooky Two, released in March 1969, is often seen as their best work. Gary wrote or co-wrote seven of its eight songs. Spooky Two sold well in America.

The third Spooky Tooth album was Ceremony (December 1969). This was a special project with French electronic music artist Pierre Henry. Gary felt this album changed their sound too much. In January 1970, Gary left the band to start his solo career.

1970–1972: Solo Work and Collaborations

After signing with A&M Records, Gary recorded his first solo album, Extraction (1970), in London. He worked with musicians like Mike Kellie, Klaus Voormann, and Alan White.

Working with George Harrison

Through Klaus Voormann, Gary was asked to play piano on former Beatle George Harrison's 1970 album All Things Must Pass. Gary was one of the main keyboard players on this big album. During these recording sessions, Gary and George became close friends. They shared an interest in music and Indian religion. Gary later called Harrison his "spiritual mentor."

Gary played on all of Harrison's solo albums in the 1970s. He also played on other songs Harrison produced for Apple Records. These included hit singles for Ringo Starr ("It Don't Come Easy" and "Back Off Boogaloo") and Ronnie Spector ("Try Some, Buy Some").

Footprint and Wonderwheel

To promote Extraction, Gary formed the band Wonderwheel in April 1971. The band included guitarist Mick Jones. Many musicians, including George Harrison, played on Gary's second album, Footprint (1971). The album included songs like "Stand for Our Rights." In November 1971, Gary and Wonderwheel performed "Two Faced Man" on The Dick Cavett Show in New York, with Harrison playing slide guitar. Gary was thankful for Harrison's help during this time.

Gary also played piano on Harry Nilsson's 1972 hit "Without You". He also worked with B.B. King and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Ring of Changes and Returning to Spooky Tooth

In 1972, Gary and Wonderwheel worked on songs for a new album called Ring of Changes. However, his record label, A&M, decided not to release the album. Gary also wrote music for a film called Benjamin (1972).

In September 1972, Gary decided to break up Wonderwheel and re-form Spooky Tooth. He also played on Harrison's album Living in the Material World (1973). Gary felt that his main talent was arranging music, not being a frontman alone.

1972–1974: Spooky Tooth Returns

Gary Wright and Mike Harrison brought Spooky Tooth back together. They were joined by Mick Jones and Bryson Graham from Wonderwheel. Their new album, You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw (1973), featured six songs written by Gary. The band toured a lot to promote the album.

They released another album, Witness, in November 1973. By early 1974, some members had left again. In January 1974, Gary went to India with George Harrison. They visited Varanasi, a spiritual city, which influenced Gary's songwriting.

Gary and Harrison also worked together on The Place I Love (1974), the first album released on Harrison's Dark Horse label. Gary then reunited with Spooky Tooth for a final album, The Mirror (1974). He broke up the group for good in October 1974.

1975–1981: Solo Success with Warner Bros.

The Dream Weaver Album

After Spooky Tooth broke up, Gary Wright moved back to New Jersey. He started writing songs for his third solo album. He signed with Warner Bros. Records. Gary decided to record the album using only keyboards, without guitars. He used instruments like the Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Minimoog, and ARP String Ensemble, along with a drum machine. This made The Dream Weaver (1975) one of the first rock albums made mostly with synthesizers.

The album came out in July 1975. It didn't become popular until its second single, "Dream Weaver", was released in November. This song, which Gary wrote after his trip to India with Harrison, became a huge hit. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Dream Weaver" sold over 1 million copies in the US. The album itself reached number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 2 million copies. "Love Is Alive" also became a hit, reaching number 2.

After the album's success, Gary toured a lot with a band that had three keyboard players and a drummer. His older sister, Lorna, sang backup vocals. Gary became one of the first musicians to perform with a portable keyboard, like the keytar. He helped make the synthesizer a popular instrument in mainstream music.

In 1976, Gary performed at the US Bicentennial concert in Philadelphia, playing for a crowd of 120,000 people.

Later Albums and Songs

Gary continued to release albums for Warner Bros. until 1981. His album The Light of Smiles (1977) included "I Am the Sky," which he credited to the Indian spiritual teacher Paramahansa Yogananda. Gary said Yogananda's book Autobiography of a Yogi was a big inspiration for him.

The Light of Smiles reached number 23 on the US Billboard charts. His next albums, Touch and Gone (1977) and Headin' Home (1979), had less commercial success. In 1978, he co-wrote "If You Believe" with George Harrison for Harrison's 1979 album.

Gary's last chart success in America was in 1981 with his album The Right Place. The single "Really Wanna Know You" reached number 16 that year.

1982–2000: Film Music and World Music

Gary Wright then focused on film soundtracks and world music. He wrote music for the 1982 thriller Endangered Species and the 1986 skiing movie Fire and Ice, which was very popular in Germany. He also contributed the song "Hold on to Your Vision" to the 1986 action movie Cobra starring Sylvester Stallone.

Other artists covered Gary's songs. Chaka Khan recorded "Love Is Alive" in 1984, which sold over a million copies. From 1989 to the late 1990s, parts of Gary's songs like "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" were used in songs by popular hip-hop artists like Tone Lōc and Mýa.

Gary himself re-recorded "Dream Weaver" for the 1992 comedy Wayne's World. The movie's soundtrack album became number 1 in the US. The song has also appeared in films like Toy Story 3 (2010).

Who I Am and Later Albums

In 1988, Gary released Who I Am. This album featured Western musicians like Harrison, White, and Keltner, along with South Indian percussionists and Indian classical violinists. Gary also helped on George Harrison's 1987 album Cloud Nine, co-writing "That's What It Takes".

His next solo album was First Signs of Life (1995). It mixed Brazilian rhythms with African vocal styles. George Harrison also made a guest appearance on this album. Human Love (1999) included new versions of his older songs and featured Hindustani classical vocalist Lakshmi Shankar.

Later Career

After spending time with his family in the 1990s, Gary became more active in music. Spooky Tooth reunited in 2004. Their album and DVD Nomad Poets Live in Germany (2007) featured Gary and other original members. Gary's music continued to be used in rap and dance songs in the 21st century. For example, Eminem used parts of Spooky Tooth's "Self Seeking Man" in his song "Spend Some Time" (2004).

In 2008, Gary joined Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band for a North American tour. The band's album and DVD Live at the Greek Theatre 2008 (2010) includes Gary singing "Dream Weaver." Gary said the tour was "a lot of fun" and helped his career.

Waiting to Catch the Light and Connected

Gary released two solo albums in late 2008. One was the new-age album Waiting to Catch the Light, which featured instrumental pieces played on old synthesizers. He also released an EP called The Light of a Million Suns, which included unreleased songs and a new version of "Love Is Alive" sung by his son Dorian.

Wright performing in 2016

In May 2009, Gary rejoined Spooky Tooth for concerts in London and Germany. In June 2010, he released the album Connected, which returned to his pop and rock sound. Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter were guest musicians on the song "Satisfied." The special digital edition of Connected included "Never Give Up," a song he and George Harrison recorded in 1989. The iTunes version added "To Discover Yourself," a song they wrote together in 1971. Gary recorded "To Discover Yourself" on the day Harrison died in November 2001. He also shared memories and photos for Martin Scorsese's 2011 documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World.

In 2010 and 2011, Gary toured again with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. He also performed on the Hippiefest US tour and with his own band in Europe.

Personal Life

Gary Wright lived in Palos Verdes Estates, California with his wife Rose, whom he married in 1985. He had two adult sons, Dorian and Justin. Justin is a member of the band Intangible. Gary also had a sister, Lorna Dune, who was a professional singer.

Gary believed it was important for children to have creative opportunities in school. He also spoke out against free music downloading, saying it hurt artists. In 2008, he supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign. "Dream Weaver" was used during the Democratic National Convention. Gary explained that "Dream Weaver" is a very spiritual song about the "consciousness of the Universe" guiding us.

In August 2014, Gary announced his autobiography, Dream Weaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison. Around the same time, his Warner Bros. albums were re-released for digital download.

Death

Gary Wright passed away at his home in Palos Verdes Estates on September 4, 2023. He was 80 years old. He had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease about six or seven years before his death.

Discography

Albums

• 1970 Extraction (1970)
• 1971 Footprint (1971)
• 1975 The Dream Weaver (1975) US #7 - US: 2× Platinum
• 1977 The Light of Smiles (1977) US #23
• 1977 Touch and Gone (1977) US #117
• 1979 Headin' Home (1979) US #147
• 1981 The Right Place (1981) US #79
• 1988 Who I Am (1988)
• 1995 First Signs of Life (1995)
• 1999 Human Love
• 2008 Waiting to Catch the Light
• 2010 Connected

Collaborations

• 1972 That Was Only Yesterday (with Spooky Tooth)
• 1972 Ring of Changes (with Wonderwheel)
• 2004 Down This Road (Gary Wright & Leah Weiss)

Soundtracks

• 1974 Benjamin – The Original Soundtrack of Willy Bogner's Motion Picture
• 1982 Endangered Species (soundtrack)
• 1986 Fire and Ice (soundtrack)

Compilations

• 1998 The Best of Gary Wright: The Dream Weaver
• 2003 The Essentials
• 2017 Greatest Hits

Extended play

• The Light of a Million Suns (2008)

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Gary Wright para niños