|
1966 - Completing his studies at the Frei University in Berlin
in post graduate psychology, Gary Wright actively begins
pursuing music. Already fluent in German, he spends the next
year touring throughout Germany doing live performances and
beginning his career as a songwriter. 1967 - Gary meets Island
Records founder Chris Blackwell and moves to London where he
forms rock group Spooky Tooth. Island releases "It's All About",
the group's first record which immediately wins critical
acclaim. The group begins touring the UK and Europe.
1969 - Second album "Spooky Two" is released entering the
international record charts and becoming a "classic". The group
does several successful US tours playing with such legends as
Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones.
1970-74 - Gary leaves Spooky Tooth for a time to produce records
for veteran producer Jimmy Miller of Rolling Stone and Traffic
fame. Playing keyboards on George Harrison's classic "All Things
Must Pass" along with Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Phil Collins
and other greats, he begins a musical relationship with Harrison
which includes playing on his upcoming records as well as
co-writing songs on several of George's albums. George and Gary
visit India together in 1972 as Ravi Shankar's guests and Gary
cultivates long term relationships with some of India's
classical artists including Lakshmi Shankar, Ravi Shankar and L.
Subramanium. Recording two critically acclaimed albums for A&M
Records, he then reforms Spooky Tooth with Mick Jones (who later
went on to form super group Foreigner) and releases three more
albums. In June of 1974, he signs a solo deal with Warner Bros.
Records.
1975 - Gary writes and produces an all keyboard/synthesizer
album "The Dream Weaver", the first ever of it's kind. Touring
with a unique all keyboard band, his new record races up the
charts. Pioneering new technologies in cut down versions of
synthesizers and drum machines, the music instrument business
begins manufacturing his ideas which by the late 80's have
become a huge business.
1976 - The song "Dream Weaver" goes to #1 in the charts and the
next release, "Love Is Alive", goes to #2, selling over 2
million albums and over 2 million singles. "The Dream Weaver"
soon becomes a classic. Gary tours the US and Europe with Peter
Frampton and Yes, selling out stadium size venues and wins the
Don Kirschner award for Best Vocalist of 1976.
1977-81 - Continuing a heavy touring schedule, Gary releases
four more albums for Warner Bros., the last being "The Right
Place" containing the hit single "Really Want To Know You".
1982-87 - Focusing his energy on scoring films, he collaborates
with producer Shep Gordon (manager of Alice Cooper and Blondie)
and writes the score for the Allen Rudolf thriller "Endangered
Species". He later continues writing film music for Sylvester
Stallone in "Stayin Alive" and Willie Bogner's German
Oscar-winning "Fire and Ice". The "Fire and Ice" soundtrack
charts in the top five in Germany containing five of Gary's
songs and is a huge hit in 1986 for CBS. Co-writing with Jeff
Lynne and George Harrison, he again plays keyboards on George's
#1 selling "Cloud Nine" album, along with guests Elton John and
Eric Clapton.
1988 - Gary releases "Who I Am" on Cypress Records using an
all-star cast of musicians including a South Indian percussion
section and performances from Indian classical greats Lakshmi
Shankar and L. Subramanium. The album is critically acclaimed in
Germany winning audiophile awards for its production.
1989-92 - Beginning a promising songwriting partnership with
Bobby Hart, Gary begins writing and recording his next solo
effort. In November 1991, Warner Bros. Records asks Gary to
re-make "Dream Weaver" for the film "Wayne's World". Early in
1992, "Wayne's World" becomes the #1 film and #1 soundtrack
album in Billboard, selling over 2 million copies and scoring
high in the international charts. Joe Cocker re-makes "Love Is
Alive" on his latest effort and charts internationally. Several
well known" rap" artists, including Third Base and Ton Loc, use
samples of Gary's music on their records. Ton Loc's album sells
over 3 million worldwide.
1993-95 - Gary records and releases his first world music album,
"First Signs Of Life" incorporating music and percussion from
Brazil and Nigeria Included on the album are guest appearances
by George Harrison and Terry Bozzio.
1995-1998 - Dream Weaver appears in Academy Award nominee film
"The People vs. Larry Flynt". Female vocal group Third Party
records a dance version of Love is Alive, which becomes a Top 40
hit. Carol Burnette's daughter Erin Hamilton records a dance
version of Dream Weaver, which enters the dance music charts.
Gary completes his new studio album "Human Love" featuring guest
appearances from Traveling Wilbury Jeff Lynne and Peter Gabriel
violinist L.Shankar among others. Rhino Records schedules the
release of "The Best of Gary Wright - The Dream Weaver" for Fall
of 98. |