Icon Felt There Was NO WAY In HELL His Song Should Even Be a Single…Then It Hit #1-Professor of Rock
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In this short interview, we pay tribute to the late great 70s icon Gary Wright, who passed away on September 5th 2023, six years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Today we celebrate his #1 multi-platinum 70s classic Dream Weaver in an exclusive interview. . The songs "Dream Weaver" and "Love is Alive" were multi-platinum hits. Dream Weaver was released in 1975 but i peaked in 1976. Dream Weaver has outlasted its chart position as a pop culture touchstone with uses in everything from Wayne’s World, Toy Story 3 and the Full Monty, It also inspired Wes Craven in creating Nightmare on Elm Street’s music. The story is next. Wright would spend several weeks at #2 behind December 1963 (Oh What a Night) by the Four Seasons and Disco Lady by Johnnie Taylor, Gary would have to settle for the #2 spot on the billboard hot 100 but Dreamweaver did hit #1 on the Cashbox charts. Gary’s very next single Love is Alive would meet the same fate It would spend several weeks at #2. Dreamweaver has well outlasted it’s chart position as a pop culture touchstone with used in everything from Wayne’s World, Toy Story 3 and the Full Monty, It also inspired Wes Craven in creating Nightmare on Elm Street which Gary discusses on this segment.
Hey music junkies and the vinyl community the Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and songs of all time. Join our community below by subscribing for our daily content and become a patron to help us curate this great history of the rock era .
Today and going forward from time to time we are going to go behind the greatest #2 hits of the rock era and give a billboard breakdown. We talked about one recently. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty. Well in 1976 the great Gary Wright would spend several weeks at #2 behind December 1963 (Oh What a Night) by the Four Seasons and Disco Lady by Johnnie Taylor, Gary would have to settle for the near chart topper the #2 spot on the billboard hot 100 but the chart topper Dreamweaver did hit #1 on the Cashbox charts. Gary’s very next single Love is Alive would meet the same fate It would spend several weeks at #2. Dreamweaver has well outlasted it’s chart position as a pop culture touchstone for decades which Gary discusses on this segment, Here’s the story.
Thanks for watching, Leave us a comment about gary wright and this beautiful song. Tell us you memories that are connected to it. . You can get gary’s music below by clicking on our amazon links If you like our content join our community by subscribing to this channel below. Also you can become an honorary patron to help us keep the music alive. Until next time three chords and the truth my friends.
#classicrock #70smusic #vinylstory #garywright
Пікірлер: 332
Poll: What is Gary Wright's best song?
@ueno1
10 ай бұрын
Dreamweaver, without doubt.
@aprilinamsterdam
10 ай бұрын
Dream Weaver ❤
@MyName-pl7zn
10 ай бұрын
I know this one won't get the most votes but I really love his vocals on I Really Want to Know You.
@Rob-yr3vw
10 ай бұрын
Dream Weaver. I was 18 years old when this song came out, and at that time my daughter, who is now 29, was not even a glimmer in my thoughts. Yet she called me last evening to ask if I had heard that Gary Wright had died. As Gary and you discussed in your interview, Dream Weaver truly trancends generations.
@tinabates2509
10 ай бұрын
Dream Weaver
What a great soul Gary was. RIP 🙏🏼 ✝️
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
A great storyteller too!
@dmitryowens
10 ай бұрын
He passed away? I didn't know that 😞
NOOOOOO, not Gary Wright! This is devastating news to me. We are losing our musical heroes every day. I listened to “Love is Alive” yesterday. R.I.P. Gary. 😢
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
it's a sad time.
I love Dream Weaver!! RIP Gary Wright
What an awesome unique record. I think everyone loves Dream Weaver, one of the best timeless songs ever. My love is Alive is a killer too. Gary worked with George Harrison before earning his own Fame.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
He became dear friends with George...
@jstnxprsn
10 ай бұрын
See my (similar) comment before it gets buried. You have food taste.
Sad to hear of Gary's passing. Recently rediscovered Love Is Alive, and have been listening to it on a regular basis. Rest in peace Gary. 🙏❤️
@joeyank2451
10 ай бұрын
I Never Stopped
@mrdave777
9 ай бұрын
I can’t stop playin that song.
What a touching tribute to such a humble, gentle artist. Blessing. 🙏🏼
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful, kind, talented man. RIP Gary Wright-- thank you for sharing your gifts with us all these years.
Many have said timeless below. So right. Beautiful song that will be enjoyed forever. RIP Gary!🙏🏼
@rogerkeime1925
10 ай бұрын
Luther Grosnevor aka Ariel Bender was a top tier guitarist of the 70s. Was in Spooky Tooth, Mott the Hoople ,and Widowmaker.
"Dream Weaver" reached #1 on the RPM singles chart in Canada on April 3, 1976. I was in grade 10 then, and the song brings back good memories. The same is true for "Love is Alive" and "Really Wanna Know You."
Thank you, Adam, for sharing this poignant interview. It gives comfort to those of us mourning his loss. 💔
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
More to come!
Thanks so much for your tribute. We lost another legend today. I remember Dream Weaver, and Love is alive growing up in the 70s. Gary had a way of composing music that had a magical sound and feel. The cover of Love is alive by the late great Joe Cocker is killer too. Thanks again, professor.
@tomgrams2333
10 ай бұрын
Thanks for saying what I was thinking... 1 by 1 they're leaving us... heavens got a helluva band!!!
@richardthompson6366
10 ай бұрын
Dream Weaver paired with Baker Street by Rafferty, I always connect these two songs.
If you want to slip away and feel music put on some good headphones, close your eyes and let Gary take you to a place that is unworldly. Thank you Gary for your amazing music! It is funny how many of these classic songs are one of the last songs considered for the album.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
Agreed!
Mr. Gary Wright left a time - tested journey into our own minds when it first hit the airwaves. I remember nights out with my friends and our love interests of the moment sitting in our cars at the lake or out in the country and having Dream Weaver come on the radio. We would crank it up and sing it at the top of our collective lungs. Such cherished and golden memories now frozen in our minds. An eternal song to match a time in our young lives that is oh so cherished now that we watch the years roll by with wonder and awe. Thank you Adam, for recognizing Gary and this humble, but awesome moment you shared with him. May he rest in peace as he rides his woven dream through eternity.
RIP to the ultimate Dream Weaver, Gary Wright. ❤😢
This was a lovely tribute to this talented man. We are at the time when we are or will be losing so many of our favs. RIP Gary.
Love this song! R.I.P. Gary Wright. Thanks for the memories
Rest in Paradise Gary Wright. Your music kept me sane during the hard times and lets me continue to dream today. You will be missed..
Puts me right back in the roller rink with the disco ball and flashing lights!
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
Love it. Where'd you grow up?
@lisajones6107
10 ай бұрын
@@ProfessorofRock Trenton, Michigan (about 20 miles south of Detroit)
@CMCPA
6 ай бұрын
LOVE this song. Thanks for sending out this interview where Gary describes how he came up with the song & it’s true meaning. RIP Gary. Any idea what year this interview was done in?
I remember listening to this song late at night. Very few songs have that "dreamy" feel. Pink Floyd has it. Led Zeppelin. But this one has it.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
I agree!
@markcatanzaro9699
10 ай бұрын
Lots of ppl had it- but I think Gary nailed it better than everyone else
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
10 ай бұрын
The instrumental is AMAZING.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I truly do love his music. Dreamweaver is just an awesome song
Great song, from an amazing singer. As he said, to know he saved a life with his song, cant be any greater reward for a singer, or song writer.
This was the favorite song of my best friend growing up. He had some tough times later on in life in his life and needed "help through many nights". He left the world too soon at the age of 32. For me this song is a memorial to him and I always listen to it with a bit of reverence.
Wow, talk about memories, this really takes me back to when I was 16. Those two songs were so moving, I bought the album and then later on the cassette. I played that record over and over, it's part of my formative years. I'm sorry to hear that Gary has passed. RIP
I'm so sad to hear of his passing. His song is on my top 10 list of all time. Now I must cry.💖😢
This is one of the greatest songs I remember from my childhood. I was always entranced by its aetherial sublimity.
Rest In Peace Gary Wright. Part Of My Child Hood I’m 58 Is Gone Now But We Still Have You’re Music.
Love is Alive was his masterpiece.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
Both his hits were classics!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
10 ай бұрын
It makes me feel good. 😊
I remember driving my dad nuts with this 45 as a kid! RIP sir! I am glad you got to interview with him Professor!
I haven't heard this song in a long while and was happy to be reminded about how much I love this song... sorry to hear of the circumstance as to why. Rip Gary, thank you for the memories.
I was a child, maybe 12 or 13 years old. I heard Dream Weaver on the radio and that was that for that! I loved it the first time I heard it and still love it today. Sad he had Parkinson's. That's rough. Sounds like he had a strong foundation of faith which helped him get through. RIP Gary and thanks so much for the music
My very first concert was 1974, KISS, with Gary Wright opening! I remember it as if it were yesterday. RIP Gary.
Such a lovely soul and what a legacy. Weaving dreams Upstairs now. R.I.P. gentle genius❤️🙏
I love this song, but I absolutely adore Love is Alive as well. Rest in Peace, Gary Wright!
I can see the skating rink now hearing that song, a classic.
I saw Gary Wright in Canadaigua, NY as part of Ringo's All Star Band, and he explained the meaning of this song before playing it. I did not know he passed, but if he was so spiritual conscious and aware in this level of existence and can only imagine what has happened since. Rest in peace.
So many great memories of this song and the movies it's appeared in.
I was SO SAD to hear of his passing 😔 he and Bob Welch are two of my ALL TIME FAVORITES! The way these two guys captured the late 70s and early 80s was EPIC!!! Both of these guys were on just about every mix tape I ever made! Do you remember the old K-TEL records, 8 tracks, & cassette tapes they sold on TV commercials? If I remember correctly they were on a few of those. I wonder if you could make a show about Ron Popeil and his K-TEL record label 😀 well of course- I'm sure you could... do you think anyone else would like it?
@coryburris8211
10 ай бұрын
If the Professor does that, he’ll have to include a “tribute” of sorts to Mr. Popeil: kzread.info/dash/bejne/enp807azlazbe6g.htmlsi=NON1TguJyeS0lU00
One of my top 5 songs ever. I remember when it came out the first time... Thank you Mr. Wright - Rest in Peace
R.I.P Gary. The world is better because of your excellence.
As saddening as it is to hear yet ANOTHER artist from my growing up years has passed, I am glad an interview was done before it happened. I always knew there was spiritual meaning to Dream Weaver, it was nice to have it confirmed. I always liked Love is Alive as well. Different styles, not really able to say I like one over the other.
The people Vs Larry Flynt film featured Dream Weaver as well during the film and on ending credits....lots of memories of this song...RIP Sir....
That song was so unique when it first came out. An anthem of my high school years. Good memories. Thanks, prof, for honoring him by republishing this interview!
Love is alive is my number one jukebox song when I'm about to play pool. My angles are perfect when that thing's on.
Any song written that can console people, make them feel better, prevent them from suicide, you should have felt proud.
Darn...another great singer/songwriters gone. Loved Gary's voice and sweet music like Dream Weaver...kind of reminds me of James Taylor. RIP Gary Wright.
Dream Weaver: One of my favorite songs of all time. I was just 11 when this broke out and it was absolutely magical to my ears. It felt groundbreaking. The space bubble synths really set me up sonically right to a fantasy world. (yeah, Steve Miller's Fly Like and Eagle was out at the same time with similar synths. ) The piano jam baseline gave it a bouncy soul jam, so it didn't feel like a somber sad ballad. It was so positive, and uplifting. The interweaving of sounds is still a production masterpiece today. Absolute ear candy.
Always a fan of his music. I remember falling asleep to his music playing on a cassette
Whenever I want "time travel" back to the winter of '75-76, I listen to Dream Weaver.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
No kidding. it's a time machine!
Playing Wright's music today after not listening to it for years is like time travelling. 70's summer nights with friends.
What a good soul. RIP Gary and God bless you.
Thank you for the music, Mr. Wright, and RIP.
These last couple minutes of the interview are golden. Absolutely golden. God bless Gary.
R.I.P. Gary Wright. 😔
I love the song Dream Weaver! Another talented soul, lost😢.
RIP 🙏 Gary you are loved ❤and missed. Sweet dreams
You were right about hearing that song at stereo shops, I recall in the mid 80's and listening to Dream Weaver through some Warfdale speakers and the low end was just amazing. I wish you'd post when these interviews took place
Bought the .45 when I was a kid. Love Gary Wright, rest in peace.
Such a great tune! RIP
My two favorite spiritual songs ….dream weaver and spirit in the Sky !!
LOVED this song back in the 80's. STILL LOVE IT!!
Dream Weaver and Love is Alive by Gary Wright (1976) and Children of the Sun by Billy Thorpe (1979) were like a trinity of transcendent spacey rock songs to me. I listen to them more now as an adult than as a child.
Great tribute, thanks for sharing this great artist! RIP Gary.
I’ve loved this song since I was a little kid! When it came out… I used to sing this in my vocals lessons.
One of the greatest, most unique songs of all time. Pretty much created dream pop, and yet nobody seems to consider it as part of the genre since nobody thought of it until the 90s.
Great interview. "Dream Weaver" is a magical song. It blew my mind when I was in elementary school. I also love "Love is Alive."
Re-listened to My Love Is Alive yesterday after hearing about his passing. I noticed it really had that same groove that Steve Miller's Fly Like An Eagle album captured so well later. Definitely gonna learn that one for the next time I go to a jam (assuming my new heart condition allows). Thanks, Adam. Peace, brothers and sisters! R.I.P. Gary!
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
What's going on?
@jstnxprsn
10 ай бұрын
@@ProfessorofRock I'm old. Shit's wearing out. LOL
@markcatanzaro9699
10 ай бұрын
Hey good luck in your recovery 👍 keep listening to music 🎶 it'll help keep positive thoughts flowing 🙂
@jstnxprsn
10 ай бұрын
@@markcatanzaro9699 Thanks, Mark. I have Afib, so I need to see my cardiologist to find out what type and which treatment. Meanwhile blood thinners are lowering the risk of blood clots, heart failure or stroke, hopefully enough to keep me around until then. But, I really believe in the power of music to help with that stuff. I even posted an article a few days back, which says listening to AC/DC is good for your health. Sure gets my heart pumping, so let's hope so, eh? Thanks for your good wishes (and of those reading this). Let's all keep on rockin' in the free world, Ok?
@markcatanzaro9699
10 ай бұрын
@@jstnxprsn you're very welcome my musical friend! If by any chance you're in Phoenix, lmk if there's anything I can do to help out 💛
"Dream Weaver" was AOR gold...one of my favorites to hear as a kiddo...Christ, I'm old...
“Dream Weaver” has to be a song all generations love! My daughter is 42 loves as well as my Granddaughter
My grandmother was a very cultured woman who preferred classical music and opera, but she loved this song!
My favourite decade of music is the 80s, but I find there are some from the 70s that are great songs, and to me, “Dream Weaver” is definitely one of them. It has a relaxing, feel good sound to it.
Wow, beautiful meaning to the song. So glad to hear him tell it.
What a great guy!
Gary, you did a great job with "Dream Weaver" it was Revolutionary.
You’ll be missed Mr. Wright 😢 RIP
Saw him a few years back with Ringo’s All Stars Band! He played that iconic song! We were all singing along!
A masterpiece of song writing. I’m proud the Canadian producer did that song with him.
What a dream to be able to interview such a great soul!
Great interview. Sad to hear he has passed on. I was listening to George Harrison's "Cloud Nine" the other day and Gary was part of that album, as he was in the 1970's.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
They were dear friends!
Love the song. So sad to hear that he passed away.
Nice tribute to Gary Wright. Guy was humble and very creative. Most people will say the music they grew up with was the best. However, growing up in the 70s and 80s, I think the music of those decades was (or should I say is) the best! I can live with people saying the music of the 50s and 60s was the best, but the music of the 70s and 80s was so much more creative than later decades. So many great artists and groups, so many creative musicians willing to take risks. Gary Wright was one of them, using synth in ways that was very unique and original.
Another one gone. I'm 74 and have seen nearly every musician you feature. And now they're quickly leaving us. Starting at the beginning of 2023 with Jeff Beck, soon they(and myself) will all be gone. I weep. R.I.P. Gary Wright.
A very fitting send-off. R.I P. Mr. Wright.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
He'll be missed.
Great interview! He was truly a good and humble man. RIP Gary
Thanks for posting this! The song stands alone in its uniqueness and excellence. Brings me back to my teenage years.
What an awesome interview with an awesome person. God certainly has a further use for Gary Wright.
I "came of age" in the 1970s. At the time, all we had for new music is whatever we heard on AM radio or what was recommended at the record store. There was no internet, no streaming services. Even mix tapes were in the future as most of my friends didn't have a cassette recorder! As cruising around was all we really had to do in my town, whenever we heard a new song that impressed us, we would pull over and actually LISTEN to it. Some of those songs were so good, so original that they sounded completely different from everything else on the radio that I can still remember hearing it for the first time, and who I was with: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Crime of the Century by Supertramp, Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty for a short list. And Dream Weaver by Gary Wright! As I recall I was rounding second base and heading for third with my then girlfriend, and I had to pause the action to turn up the volume. Let's just say that Dream Weaver may have been instrumental in helping me "reach the morning light"! RIP Gary Wright. The world is lessened by your passing.
Dream Weaver was the first 45 I ever owned. So many years ago, such a great song.
So many moments this song accompanied. 8th Grade standing in line to get on 'The Octopus' at the street fair in our small town it was the song playing as that one dreamy, athletic boy with long, dark hair all the other girls wanted to date stood beside me and held my hand. 'THE MEAN GIRLS' walked by and glared and I completely ignored them...While he whispered in my ear over the music and noises of the crowd. 🤣👍🏼🤣🎶🎶
Gary Wright memories- The " Love is Alive" 45 played on 33 after smoking some weed was a pretty cool thing!
I forgot he had "Really Want to Know You" from 9 1/2 Weeks with Micky Rouke and Kim Basinger. That's a great song
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
That's right...
The first time I ever heard Dream Weaver was on the Wayne's World soundtrack. I had it on cassette and played this song over and over so much the tape player ate it. Good times.
Thanks professor, this got me through a lot of 3rd. Shift's!!!!
Haven't heard of this until just now. Dream Weaver is iconic, as was Gary. Very sad indeed.
I remember hearing this song when it first played on the radio. I was 6yo
Dreamweaver is such a great song. I never knew any of his other songs. I think it was #1 in 🇦🇺 I love the line "and leave tomorrow behind" what a great stab at escape
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
For sure!
Thank you for this post. I heard the sad news yesterday.
@ProfessorofRock
10 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching Catherine.
I saw Gary Wright at a NY Beatle Fan Convention in 2015-He was promoting his autobiography-He talked about his friendship with former Beatle George Harrison-Sorry to hear of his passing.
Love this song. Very sad that he’s gone.
Love this song! Goodbye Gary Wright