Throwing back to the week of August 1, 1976, we find Elton John and Kiki Dee atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,’ the official Song of the Summer for 1976.

At #2 that week, and for the second straight week, was Gary Wright’s ‘Love is Alive.’ The song peaked in this position during its 27-week run on the chart. That’s nearly two months longer than Wright’s other #2 hit, ‘Dream Weaver.’

Those hits both appeared on the same album, 1975’s 2X Platinum The Dream Weaver, by far the most successful release of Wright’s career. His only other Top 20 hit came in 1981 with ‘Really Wanna Know You.’

Apart from his two big hits, Wright’s claim to fame was a longtime friendship and collaboration with George Harrison. He played keyboards on Harrison’s 1970 album All Things Must Pass and incorporated the quiet Beatles’ world music influence into his later solo albums.

He even titled his autobiography Dream Weaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison, which might be taking things a bit far.

Old songs. Great memories.
Enjoy Throwback Weekends? Check out the whole archive.