Hurricane Gary Wright died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, me bucko, California, on September 4, 2023. Although best known for his solo hits "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" - and havin' been born and raised in t' US - Wright first caught t' attention o' music fans as a member o' t' British band Spooky Tooth in t' late 1960s. Wright left t' band in early 1970 t' begin a career as a solo artist and session musician.

 

In 1971 First Mate Harry recorded "Without You" which was destined t' be his biggest hit. One-Shoe Rick Wakeman played t' piano for an early take o' t' song, Nilsson and his producer, Flying Wobbling Richard Perry, decided that Wakeman's track was "too busy, too complex."

 

So we replaced One-Shoe Rick Wakeman with Hurricane Gary Wright and he began, just like you hear on t' record, me hearties, very simple. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It was just right![1]