Gary Wright in October 2014.Photo:Slaven Vlasic/Getty
Slaven Vlasic/Getty
Gary Wright has died at the age of 80.
The composer’s son, Justin Wright, said that his father died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, on Monday morning, Sept. 4. The news came approximately six years after the “Love Is Alive” singer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and not long after,with dementia.
Gary Wright in 1978.kpa/United Archives via Getty
kpa/United Archives via Getty
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.”
Gary’s industry peers confirmed his death on social media and shared their condolences.
Ambrosia co-founder David Pack shared a heartfelt messageon Facebookin memory of his late friend.
Gary Wright in August 2011.Larry Marano/Getty
Larry Marano/Getty
Pack included a photo of the two smiling on stage as he played the guitar while Gary appeared to be clapping his hands to the music.
Pack shared that he had been a fan of Gary since his days as a member of the English rock band Spooky Tooth. “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,” Pack wrote.
“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,” Pack added.
Stephen Bishop also paid his respects to the star.
“It is with great sadness that I received the news of my dear friend Gary Wright’s passing,” Bishoptweeted on Twitter, now known as X.
His send-off contained two photographs of himself smiling with Gary “from the very first and last time we shared the stage together, alongside our mutual musical pal John Ford Coley.”
The “Bowling in Paris” singer spoke highly of Gary, remembering the entertainer as someone whose “vibrant personality and exceptional talent made every moment together truly enjoyable.”
Gary Wright in 1977.Michael Putland/Getty
Michael Putland/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time,” he added.
Before solidifying his mark on music, Gary was a child actor who then went on to Broadway. After starring in the musicalFanny, he studied medicine and then psychology in New York and Berlin.
source: people.com
