Gary Wright’s friends, family and fans have been left devastated at the sad news of his death.
He lived an incredible life, which also included being married and having children, before passing away aged 80.
About Gary Wright wife
Was Gary Wright married and Who was Gary Wright married to?
Gary Wright was married twice in his entire life before his passing. The name of his ex-wife is Christina (aka Tina Wright) and that of his current spouse is Rose Wright.
He married his second and current wife in 1985 at age 42, however, details about their love story, including how they met and where they held their wedding remains untold.
Gary and Rose lived in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.
As of his previous marriage to Christina, the singer mostly worked with her on some of his musical projects. She received co-writing credits on Wright’s songs “I’m Alive” (from The Mirror), “Feel for Me” (The Dream Weaver) and “I’m the One Who’ll Be by Your Side” (Headin’ Home).
Gary Wright children: Did Gary Wright have any kids?
Before Gary Wright died in September 2023, he was a father and a granddad. He had two children – all sons.
The names of his kids are Justin Wright and Dorian Wright.
His son, Justin is a musician and guitarist in former Californian hard rock band Intangible.
Who was Gary Wright?
Gary Wright was an American musician and composer best known for his 1976 hit songs “Dream Weaver” and “Love Is Alive”, Wright’s breakthrough album, The Dream Weaver (1975), came after he had spent seven years in London as, alternately, a member of the British blues rock band Spooky Tooth and a solo artist on A&M Records.
While in England, he played keyboards on former Beatle George Harrison’s triple album All Things Must Pass (1970), so beginning a friendship that inspired the Indian religious themes and spirituality inherent in Wright’s subsequent songwriting.
His work since the late 1980s has embraced world music and the new age genre, although none of his post-1976 releases have matched the same level of popularity as The Dream Weaver.
A former child actor, Wright performed on Broadway in the hit musical Fanny before studying medicine and then psychology in New York and Berlin.
After meeting Chris Blackwell of Island Records in Europe, Wright moved to London, where he helped establish Spooky Tooth as a popular live act.
He also served as the band’s principal songwriter on their recordings – among them, the well-regarded albums Spooky Two (1969) and You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw (1973).
His solo album Footprint (1971), recorded with contributions from Harrison, coincided with the formation of Wright’s short-lived band Wonderwheel, which included guitarist Mick Jones.
Also, during the early 1970s, Wright played on notable recordings by B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson and Ronnie Spector, while his musical association with Harrison endured until shortly before the latter’s death in 2001.
Wright turned to film soundtrack work in the early 1980s, including re-recording his most popular song, “Dream Weaver”, for the 1992 comedy Wayne’s World.
Following Spooky Tooth’s reunion tour in 2004, Wright has performed live frequently, either as a member of Starr’s All-Starr Band, with his own live band, or on subsequent Spooky Tooth reunions.
Wright’s most recent solo albums, including Waiting to Catch the Light (2008) and Connected (2010), have all been issued on his Larklio record label. In 2014, Jeremy P. Tarcher published Wright’s autobiography, Dream Weaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison.
Early life
Gary Wright was born and raised in Cresskill, New Jersey. A child actor, he made his TV debut at the age of seven, on the show Captain Video and His Video Rangers, filmed in New York.
He appeared in TV and radio commercials before being offered a part in the 1954 Broadway production of the musical Fanny.
Wright played the role of Cesario, the son of Fanny, who was played by future Brady Bunch matriarch Florence Henderson. He spent two years with the production, during which he performed with Henderson on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Having studied piano and organ, Wright led various local rock bands while attending Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey.
In 1959, he made his first commercial recording, with Billy Markle at NBC Radio’s New York studios. Credited to Gary & Billy, the single “Working After School” was released on 20th Century Fox Records in 1960.
Seeing music as “too unstable” a career choice, as he later put it, 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, all the while continuing to perform with local bands.
Having specialized in psychology in New York, he then went to West Germany in 1966 to complete his studies at the Free University of Berlin.
Gary Wright Death
Gary Wright died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates on September 4, 2023, at the age of 80.
Following news of his death, tributes began pouring online, with many remarking on his legacy and contribution to music.
‘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.’
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.’
‘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.
Another, 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.’
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.
Gary Wright cause of death
On September 4, 2023, it was announced that Gary Wright died after a secret battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia.
Gary Wright’s son, Justin Wright, told TMZ that the Dream Weaver singer died in his Palos Verdes Estates home in South Bay, California.
Justin told the outlet his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about five or six years ago and with dementia not too long after.
In the last year before he passed, Justin revealed his Parkinson’s progressed rapidly, causing him to lose the ability to speak and move around.
His family and loved ones stood by Gary’s side until his passing.
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