Wright – On the line

Rip It Up, Issue 22, 1 May 1979, Page 3

Wright - On the line

John Dix

It’s pretty crazy trying to interview a stranger thousands of miles away on a bad-line telephone. But we persevered. I called him Gary, he called me John. Friends via the magic cable. Gary Wright graduated from New York University in 1965 then enrolled in Berlin University for a post-graduate course in psychology. It didn’t last long, he concentrated

instead on his main love in life music. After fronting a number of bands he ended up in England where he formed Spooky Tooth, who went on to become one of England's most popular acid bands. The group stayed together, on and off, up until 1974. The following year saw Gary Wright turn pop star with the international success of the single and album "Dream Weaver”. Since then he has led a four-piece (three keyboards, one drummer) band that has, if not inspired critics at least confounded them. His latest album, Headin’ Home, however, features guitars and horns, back-up vocals c/o Crosby & Nash, while still retaining the Wright trademark of layered keyboards. The new album seemed an obvious starting point for the interview. “I just wanted to open up my sound a little”, Gary says. “I got a little tired of everything being the same texture of sound, too much keyboards. I wanted to include real instruments and nothing can really replace the guitar." Headin’ Home is a far cry from the Spooky Tooth days. Wright, I suggest, is now aiming at

a more commercial market. He disagrees: "I’m not aiming totally at a pop audience. I like to aim at as broad an audience as possible. Music has gone a lot more progressive but you can only get so progressive and still get played on the radio”. Ah, so you are aiming at the pop audience? "No. I’m not just a pop artist. I just became labelled as such because I had a hit single. But I’ve got my own style. I try to make my music accessible, I like to please people but I keep my own style." Talking to a Sixties veteran the topic of New Wave naturally came up. "I don’t see New Wave as competition,” says Gary, “it’s all a matter of taste. There is no particular direction, there are many kinds. New Wave has not caught on in the States in a big way. Disco is the biggest direction at the moment." Gary Wright is embarking on a world tour later this year and NZers may have the chance to see how he holds up in the new decade when he hopes to visit here early next year.