The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20130310062618/http://blogs.abc.net.au/wa/2011/06/andrew-gold-lonely-boy-.html

Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy

16/06/2011 , 11:59 AM by PattiB

Andrew gold lonely boy Here's Drive's Music Man Dave Weber's tribute to musician Andrew Gold.

Andrew Gold came from such a strong Californian musical pedigree that it would've been an awesome thing for him to do anything else. He was a bit of an everyman in the music scene, named by most as a one-hit wonder, but such was his apparent canniness that he realized you didn't have to be riding in the charts or doing monster tours to make a living in the music industry.

Gold's mother was Marni Nixon, who gave her singing voice to famous actresses. That's her voice in 'West Side Story', 'The King And I' and 'My Fair Lady'. Andrew's father Ernest Gold composed for the movie 'Exodus' and won an Academy Award for his trouble.

Andrew Gold started writing songs at the age of 13. He was in a Los Angeles band called Bryndle before taking a key role in the ascendancy of Linda Ronstadt in 1974, playing many instruments on her songs, and arranging them. He was in her band from 1973 through to 1977, and on occasions afterwards.

In 1975, Gold kicked off a solo career in earnest, and clocked a United States Top Ten single two years later with 'Lonely Boy', which sounds like Warren Zevon meeting Billy Joel. It was also a hit elsewhere in the world, including Britain. Yet Gold would have another, more successful track in The United Kingdom, called 'Never Let Her Slip Away'. Someone working for The ABC in Perth, who won't be named here, still owns that single and prizes it. It contains backing vocals by Freddie Mercury, so why not? 

One Drive listener suggested 'Lonely Boy' sounded like Barry Manilow meets Neil Diamond, which is a bit Vegas, but either performer could've done a top notch job on the song.

Another Andrew Gold single, 'Thank You For Being A Friend', would appropriately become the theme song for the TV series 'The Golden Girls'.  

Gold's musical talents reportedly built, framed and generally festooned successful releases and tours by Art Garfunkel, Brian Wilson, Don Henley, Cher, Lisa Angelle, Jackson Browne, Stephen Bishop, Karla Bonoff, The Eagles, James Taylor, Vince Gill and Celine Dion.   

He was asked to join 10cc but didn't, for reasons that I can't determine (despite conscious searching online). After 10cc split, Graham Gouldman joined Gold in a new band called World In Action, and then Common Knowledge, and eventually, Wax. The band, essentially a duo, was quite successful. When 10cc got back together, Gold was on hand to help, although he didn't actually become a charter member.

In the 1990s, Gold did more writing for television and films. He helped re-form Bryndle and released an album, and developed his own record label. He continued to release solo work into the 2000s. 

Andrew Gold died in his sleep on June 3rd, 2011, necessitating the playing of the excellent 'Lonely Boy' on Drive.

 

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