Spinner

Andrew Gold, 'Lonely Boy' Singer and Linda Ronstadt Collaborator, Dead at 59

Bobby Bank, WireImage

Singer-songwriter Andrew Gold, the writer of the 1977 hit 'Lonely Boy' and a frequent collaborator of Linda Ronstadt's, died in his sleep at his Encino, Calif., home on June 3, the Los Angeles Times reports. The 59-year-old had been battling cancer.

Gold seemed destined to find a career in music, thanks to the accomplishments of his family. His mother, Marni Nixon, sang for Natalie Wood in 'West Side Story' and for Audrey Hepburn in 'My Fair Lady,' while his father, Ernest Gold, won an Oscar for his score of the 1960 film 'Exodus.'

Taking up multiple instruments on Ronstadt's 'Heart Like a Wheel, 'Prisoner in Disguise' and 'Hasten Down the Wheel,' Gold added a charm and robustness to the famous singer's records. "Andrew was so enormously talented it almost seemed effortless," Ronstadt told the Los Angeles Times. "He was a real cornerstone of those early records ... He was so bubbly and so smart and we were so impressed with what a good musician he was."

Gold worked as a session musician for James Taylor, Carly Simon and Loudon Wainwright III. His impressive resume also includes the them song to NBC's 'Mad About You' and his hits 'Lonely Boy' and 'Thank You for Being a Friend,' the latter of which was used as the 'Golden Girls' theme.

Gold is survived by his wife, Leslie Kogan, his mother, two sisters and three daughters.

Listen to Andrew Gold's 'Thank You For Being a Friend'

Follow @Spinner on Twitter | Like Spinner on Facebook

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Greg Allman Engaged to Woman 40 Years…

The Boot

Paul Archuleta, FilmMagic Seventh time's a charm? Music icon Greg Allman is…

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Attend…

The Boombox

WireImage Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were spotted canoodling at the…

Vision of Trees, 'Turn 2 U' -- Video of…

Spinner

Artist: Vision of Trees Video: "Turn 2 U" Highlight: "We wanted the video to…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

104 Comments

Filter by:
mrmteach (AL)

love seeing andrew at the mann mustic center in Philly so many summer nights .........I was the lonely boy those days......rip......thanks for all the great times........loved all your work!

March 11 2012 at 10:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rdorff555

Too young to die. Gold's contribution to LR'S band can be seen by simply booting up LINDA RONSTADT OFFENBACH CONCERT. He plays on all eighteen of her videos.

June 09 2011 at 4:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
baby doll

The title of Ronstadt's album is Hasten down the wind
not Hasten down the wheel

June 09 2011 at 1:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shoobee10

Thanks for the great music, what a chorus in the sky.

June 09 2011 at 12:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nell21957

So sad to hear about Andrew Gold. He was such a talent and his work was so memorable. My heart goes out to his family. He was taken too soon.

June 09 2011 at 10:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steven

There goes another figure from my childhood and teen years. I feel like I'm getting old whenever I hear someone from my formative years passing away.

June 09 2011 at 12:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hello Lonnie B.

Later man.

June 08 2011 at 4:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kathy

Great talent! Very sad loss.

June 08 2011 at 10:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ehwasp88

Everytime a musician from this era leaves us, a small piece of the truly greatest time in american music goes along with them. Music, to my listening taste, was at it's best during Gold's musical peak. Today's "music" pales in comparison to the music produced by Ronstadt, Browne, The Eagles, Poco, J.T., Fogelberg, Denver, Simon, C, S, N & Y, etc. etc. etc. Music of that time was beautiful and it saddens me to know it is over and replaced by today's "noise." RIP Andrew, I know today you're singing with all the greats that have already gone before you.

June 08 2011 at 9:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mira

Early Linda Ronstadt is so over looked...Heart like a Wheel was brilliant! He was such a fabulous fabulous musician RIP Andrew Gold

June 07 2011 at 4:57 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply