One of the pioneers in great songwriting …
Best remembered for his mid-1970s smashes “Lonely Boy” and “Thank You for Being a Friend, ” pop singer/songwriter Andrew Gold was born in Burbank, CA on August 2, 1951. The son of composer Ernest Gold (who won an Academy Award for his score to the film Exodus) and vocalist Marni Nixon (the singing voice of Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), he first attracted attention as a member of the Los Angeles band Bryndle alongside Kenny Edwards, Wendy Waldman and Karla Bonoff; in 1973, both Gold and Edwards joined Linda Ronstadt, appearing on classic albums including 1974’s Heart Like a Wheel and 1975’s Prisoner in Disguise.
A noted arranger as well as a skilled multi-instrumentalist, Gold swiftly emerged as one of the most sought-after session musicians on the West Coast scene, and his resume — including dates with James Taylor, Carly Simon, Loudon Wainwright III and J.D. Souther — reads like a Who’s Who of the singer/songwriter movement.
In 1975 Gold released his self-titled solo debut; its follow-up, What’s Wrong with This Picture?, was his commercial breakthrough, notching an international hit with “Lonely Boy.” “Never Let Her Slip Away, ” from 1978’s All This and Heaven Too, also reached the British Top Five, but the album’s most enduring moment remains “Thank You for Being a Friend, ” the blockbuster ballad later remade as the theme song for the hit sitcom The Golden Girls.
However, 1980’s Whirlwind stiffed, and Gold was cut loose from his contract with Asylum; after spending the early part of the decade touring with Ronstadt, he teamed with 10cc alumnus Graham Gouldman to form Common Knowledge, recording a self-titled LP in 1984. Gold and Goldman then rechristened their duo project Wax UK, notching a minor hit in 1986 with “Right Between the Eyes.” “Bridge to Your Heart” was a British smash in 1987, but after 1989’s A Hundred Thousand in Fresh Notes Wax UK disbanded.
Returning to his solo career, in 1991 Gold issued his first effort in over a decade, Home Is Where the Heart Is, before immersing himself in production work for artists ranging from Nicollette Larsen to Stephen Bishop to Eikichi Yazawa. In 1995, he reunited with Bonoff, Edwards and Waldman in a new incarnation of Bryndle, releasing an eponymous LP before Gold’s move to Connecticut forced him to leave the group soon after.
1996 saw the release of a new solo effort, …Since 1951, as well as Halloween Howls, a record for children. Leftovers, a collection of unreleased material, followed in 1998.
Read more about Andrew Gold at his website. Words by: Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Discography
Lonely Boy
Esoteric Recordings 2020
Tracks: CD 1 Andrew Gold (1975): That’s Why I Love You, Heartaches in Heartaches, Love Hurts, A Note from You, Resting in Your Arms, I’m a Gambler, Endless Flight, Hang My Picture Straight, Ten Years Behind Me, I’m Coming Home & Hang My Picture Straight (Live at Santa Monica Civic 1975). CD 2 What’s Wrong With This Picture (1976): I Hope You Feel Good, Passing Thing, Do Wah Diddy, Learning the Game, Angel Woman, Must Be Crazy, Lonely Boy, Firefly, Stay, Go Back Home Again & One of Them Is Me. CD 3 All This And Heaven Too (1978): How Can This Be Love?, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Still You Linger On, Never Let Her Slip Away, Always for You, Thank You for Being a Friend, Looking for My Love, Genevieve, I’m on My Way, You’re Free & Endless Flight (Live at the Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida 1978). CD 4 Whirlwind (1980): Kiss This One Goodbye, Whirlwind, Sooner or Later, Leave Her Alone, Little Company, Brand New Face, Nine to Five, Stranded on the Edge & Make Up Your Mind. CD 5 Outtakes and unreleased recordings: Recorded during sessions for ‘Andrew Gold’, Within a Word, Broken Pinball Machine, Ten Years Behind Me (Demo), Recorded during sessions for ‘What’s Wrong With This Picture’, Lonely Boy (Original Version), Firefly (Early Unfinished Version), Feel It, Gorilla Jam, Recorded during sessions for ‘All This And Heaven Too’, Gambler (Version #1), Still You Linger on (Alternate Take), Thank You for Being a Friend (Outtake), Genevieve (Original Version), Recorded during sessions for ‘Whirlwind’, Gambler (Version #2), Traffic Jam & The in Crowd. CD 6 Live Recordings – Released 1976/1977: Live at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles 6 Jan 1977, Hope You Feel Good (Live 1977), Stay (Live 1977)*, That’s Why I Love You (Live 1977)*, Endless Flight (Live 1977)*, Learning the Game (Live 1977)*, Hang My Picture Straight (Live 1977)*, One of Them Is Me (Live 1977)* & Lonely Boy (Live 1977)* (*previously unreleased), Live at the New Victoria Theatre, London 23 Nov 1976 -Broadcast on BBC’s ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ on 15 March 1977 – All previously unreleased, Heartaches in Heartaches (Live BBC), That’s Why I Love You (Live BBC), Endless Flight (Live BBC), Do Wah Diddy Diddy (Live BBC), Learning the Game (Live BBC), Angel Woman (Live BBC), Hope You Feel Good (Live BBC), One of Them Is Me (Live BBC), Lonely Boy (Live BBC) & Go Back Home Again (Live BBC). DVD: The promotional videos, Lonely Boy (Promo Video), Go Back Home Again (Promo Video), Thank You for Being a Friend (Promo Video), Never Let Her Slip Away (Promo Video), How Can This Be Love (Promo Video), Kiss This One Goodbye (Promo Video), ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ on 15 March 1977, Heartaches in Heartaches (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), That’s Why I Love You (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Endless Flight (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Do Wah Diddy Diddy (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Learning the Game (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Angel Woman (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Hope You Feel Good (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), One of Them Is Me (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Lonely Boy (Live Old Grey Whistle Test), Go Back Home Again (Live Old Grey Whistle TesBBC TV –’The Old Grey Whistle Test’ Andrew Gold feature 24 Jan 1978, Hope You Feel Good (Old Grey Whistle Test 1978) Andrew Gold Interview (Old Grey Whistle Test 1978) & One of Them Is Me (Old Grey Whistle Test 1978).
Something New : Unreleased Gold
Omnivore Recordings 2020
Tracks: Something New (Band Version), Come Down to Me (Solo Demo), What You Do Is What You See (Solo Demo), The World Tomorrow Brings (Solo Demo), You Are Somewhere Within Me (Solo Demo), Sometimes When a Man's on His Own (Solo Demo), Prisoner (Band Version), Ten Years Behind Me (Solo Demo), Timothy Corey (Solo Demo), Almost Love (Solo Demo), Penny Arcade (Solo Demo), Don't Bring Me Down (Solo Demo), Resting in Your Love (Band Version), Joseph (Solo Demo), A Note from You (Alternate Band Version) & To Be Someone (Solo Demo).
Musicians on the Something New : Unreleased Gold album: Andrew Gold and others.
An Introduction To Andrew Gold
Rhino Records 2018
Tracks: Thanks You For Being A Friend, Lonely Boy, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Never Let Her Slip Away, How Can This Be Love, Go Back Home Again, A Note From You, Kiss This One Goodbye & That´s Why I Love You.
Musicians on the An Introduction To Andrew Gold album: Andrew Gold and others.
The Late Show - Live 1978
Omnivare Recordings 2015
Tracks: I´m A Gambler, Hope You Feel Good, Gambler, Endless Flight, Thank You For Being A Friend, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), How Can This Be Love, That´s Why I Love You, One Of Them Is Me, A Note From You, Lonely Boy, Doctor Robert, Go Back Home Again & Roll Over Beethoven.
Musicians on the Late Show - Live 1978: Andrew Gold and others.
Andrew Gold/What´s Wrong With This Picture/All This And Heaven Too/Whirlwind/Plus
Demon Music Group 2013
Tracks: Disc 1: That´s Why I Love You, Heartaches In Heartaches, Love Hurts, A Note From You, Restin In Your Arms, I´m A Gambler, Endless Fligh, Hang My Picture Straight, Ten Years Behind Me, I´m Coming Home, Hope You Feel Good, Passing Thing, Do Wah Diddy, Learning The Game, Angel Woman, Must Be Crazy, Lonely Boy, Firefly, Stay, Go Back Home Again & One Of Them Is Me. Disc 2: How Can This Be Love, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Still You Linger On, Never Let Her Slip Away, Always For You, Thank You For Being A Friend, Looking For My Love, Geneivieve, I´m On My Way, You´re Free, Kiss This One Goodbye, Whirlwind, Sooner Or Later, Leave Her Alone, Little Company, Brand New Face, Nine To Five, Stranded On The Edge & Why Don´t You Make Up Your Mind. Disc 3: Within A Word, Sometime When A Man´s On His Own, Broken Pin Ball Machine, To Be Someone, Ten Years Behind Me, Hang My Picture Straight, Lonely Boy, Firefly, Gorilla Jam, Feel It, Hope You Feel Good, Gambler, Thank You For Being A Friend, Dr Robert, Genevieve, Still You Linger On, Gambler (version 2), Endless Flight, The In Crowd & Traffic Jam.
Musicians on the Andrew Gold/What´s Wrong With This Picture/All This And Heaven Too/Whirlwind/Plus album: Andrew Gold and others
The Essential Collection
Demon Music Group 2011
Tracks: CD1: Lonely Boy, How Can This Be Love, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Never Let Her Slip Away, Kiss This One Goodbye, You´re Free, One Of Them Is Me, Go Back Home Again, Stay, Shadow Of Love, Heartaches In Heartaches, Firefly, Anchors Aweigh, Hope You Feel Good, Love Hurts, Ten Years Behind Me & Thank You For Being A Friend. CD2: Right Between The Eyes, Bridge To Your Heart, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Leave Her Alone, Hang My Picture Straight, Nine To Five, I´m Coming Home, Genevieve, Endless Flight, Passing Thing, Angel Woman, That´s Why I Love You, Looking For My Love, Still You Linger On, A Note From You, Always For You, Ball And Chain & Don´t Play That Song.
Musicians on the Essential Collection album: Andrew Gold and others.
Copy Cat
Gigatone 2008
Tracks: Lady Madonna, Lonely Boy, All I´ve Got To Do, Little Deuce Coupe, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Bridge To Your Heart, Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life), I Get Around, Never Let Her Slip Away, Strawberry Fields Forever, Got To Get You Into My Life, Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), In My Life, Here There And Everywhere, Rocky Raccoon, Thank You For Being A Friend, Catch A Wave, Mad About You (The Final Frontier), Your Song & Let It Be.
Musicians on the Copy Cat album: Andrew Gold and others.
The Beatles The Beatles
Gigatone 2008
Tracks: All I´ve Got To Do, Got To Get You Into My Life, In My Life, Here There And Everywhere, orwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), Strawberry Fields Forever, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Lady Madonna, Rocky Raccoon, Let It Be & Happy Xmas (The War Is Over).
Musicians on the Beatles The Beatles album: Andrew Gold and others.
Whirlwind
Elektra Records 2005
Tracks: Kiss This One Goodbye, Whirlwind, Sooner Or Later, Leave Her Alone, Little Company, Brand New Face, Nine To Five, Stranded On The Edge, Why Don´t You Make Up Your Mind, Gambler (version #2), Endless Flight (live), The In Crowd & Traffic Jam.
Musicians on the Whirlwind album: Andrew Gold, Don Grolnick, Michael Botts, Kenny Edwards, Bryan Garofalo, Rick Marotta & Brock Walsh.
All This And Heaven Too
Elektra Records 2005
Tracks: How Can This Be Love, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Still You Linger On, Never Let Her Slip Away, Always For You, Thank You For Being A Friend, Looking For My Love, Geneivieve, I´m On My Way, You´re Free, Gambler (version #1), Thank You For Being A Friend (outtake), Dr. Robert (live), Genevieve (original version) & Still You Linger On (alternate take).
Musicians on the All This And Heaven Too album: Andrew Gold, Jennifer Warnes, Stix Akimbo, Kenny Edwards, Russ Kunkel, Rick Marotta, Brad Palmer, Jeff Porcaro, Mark Saffan, Beau Segal, Lee Sklar, J.D. Souther, Brock Walsh, Ernie Watts.
What´s Wrong With This Picture
Elektra Records 2005
Tracks: Hope You Feel Good, Passing Thing, Do Wah Diddy, Learning The Game, Angel Woman, Must Be Crazy, Lonely Boy, Firefly, Stay, Go Back Home Again, One Of Them Is Me, Lonely Boy (original version), Firefly (early unfinished version), Gorilla Jam, Feel It & Hope You Feel Good (live).
Musicians on the Whats Wrong With This Picture? album: Andrew Gold, Don Menza, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Asher, Tesse Coen, Val Garay, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Clarence McDonald, Mike Botts, Waddy Wachtel, Kenny Edwards, Dan Dugmore & Brock Walsh.
Andrew Gold
Elektra Records 2005
Tracks: That´s Why I Love You, Heartaches In Heartaches, Love Hurts, A Note From You, Restin In Your Arms, I´m A Gambler, Endless Fligh, Hang My Picture Straight, Ten Years Behind Me, I´m Coming Home. Within A Word, Sometime When A Man´s On His Own, Broken Pin Ball Machine, To Be Someone, Ten Years Behind Me (demo) & Hang My Picture Straight (live).
Musicians on the Andrew Gold album: Andrew Gold, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Bernstein, Michael Botts, Dan Dugmore, Kenny Edwards, Gene Garfin, David Kemper, Bobby Keys, Trevor Lawrence, Chuck Plotkin & Don Francisco.
Intermission
Quarkbrain Records 2002
Tracks: Aint It Just, Big Fat Daddy, The Night Show, Crawl Into The Light, Highwire, Driven To Extremes, Hannah, I Think I Love You, Sure Got Quiet In Here, Don´t Talk About Forever, Good Luck, Drama Queen, It Happened To Me & A Little Mercy.
Musicians on the Intermission album: Andrew Gold and others.
The Spence Manor Suite
Dome Records 2000
Tracks: I Can´t Help Forgiving You, Over My Head, Katie, Forever I Do, Hypothetically, Sorry To Let You Down, Nowhere Now, Are You Out There, Love Made Me Do It, Making Up, Colors, The Hurtin Kind, Para Tu, Wind Beneath My Tires, Angels, Could Never Hold A Candle To Love & That´s How I´ll Remember.
Musicians on the The Spence Manor Suite album: Andrew Gold and others.
Warm Breezes
WEA Records 1999
Tracks: Warm Breezes, Where The Heart Is, Makin´Friends, I Wonder What She´s Like, No Place Like Home, Where Did I Go Right, Don´t Give Your Heart, Goin´Home & A Cozy Place.
Musicians on the Warm Breezes album: Andrew Gold and others.
Leftovers
Quarkbrain Records 1998
Tracks: Tail Lights, Marcella, Here Without You, I´m In No Condition, The Gospel According To Love, Falling Down, A River In Time, Love Will Have It´s Way With You, What A Gentleman Does, Guilty, Show Me A Way & Golden Paths Of Heaven.
Musicians on the Leftovers album: Andrew Gold and others.
Thank You For Being A Friend
Rhino Records 1997
Tracks: Theme from Mad About You, Thank You For Being a Friend, Lonely Boy, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Never Let Her Slip Away, How Can This Be Love, You're Free, Hope You Feel Good, One Of Them Is Me, Kiss This One Goodbye, Go Back Home Again, Looking For My Love, Endless Flight, That's Why I Love You, Heartaches In Heartaches, Firefly, Passing Thing, Still You Linger On, Can Anybody See You & The King Of Showbiz.
Musicians on the Thank You For Being A Friend album: Andrew Gold, Peter Asher, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Michael Botts, Sir Harry Bowens, Dan Dugmore, Kenny Edwards, Brandon Fields, Don Francisco, Gene Garfin, Mark Goldenberg, Graham Gouldman, Willie Green, James "Hutch" Hutchinson, Dennis Karmazyn, Jim Keltner, David Kemper, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Arnold McCuller, Don Menza, Jeff Porcaro, Linda Ronstadt, Lee Thornberg, Waddy Wachtel & Don Was.
Since 1951
Pony Canyon 1996
Tracks: Can Anybody See You, Cyberpace, Back On Top, The King Of Showbiz, First Time In Love, Ready To Go ome, That Belongs To Me, Teardrops, The Secret, Can´t Get Used To Losing You, Baby´s Got A Gun, Whatcha Think About That & Safe And Sound.
Musicians on the Since 1951 album: Andrew Gold, Linda Ronstadt and others.
Halloween Howls
WEA Records 1996
Tracks: It Must Be Halloween, Monster Mash, Spooky Scary Skeletons, Trick Or Treat, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Gimme A Smile (The Pumpkin Song), Don´t Scream (It´s Only Halloween), The Creature From The Tub, Halloween Party & In Our Haunted House.
Musicians on the Halloween Howls album: Andrew Gold, Stephen Bishop, Karla Bonoff, Linda Ronstadt, David Cassidy, Nicolette Larson, Greg Prestopino, Leslie Spiro, David Woodford, Victoria Gold, Sue Shiffron, Ruby Spiro, Beau Cassidy & Summer Spiro.
Never Let Her Slip Away
Asylum Records 1993
Tracks: Never Let Her Slip Away, Stay, Love Hurts, I´m Coming Home, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Nine To Five, Thank You For Being A Friend, How Can This Be Love, Kiss This One Goodbye, Go Back Home Again, Leave Her Alone, Angel Woman, That´s Why I Love You & Lonely Boy.
Musicians on the Never Let Her Slip Away album: Andrew Gold and others.
Where The Heart Is
Rackyo Records 1991
Tracks: Where The Heart Is, No Place Like Home, Making Friends, Going Home, Pal O Mine, Party Hearty, I Wonder What's She Like, Where Did I Go Right Don´t Give Your Heart & The Masters.
Musicians on the Where The Heart Is album: Andrew Gold and others.
Whirlwind
Asylum Records 1979
Tracks: Kiss This One Goodbye, Whirlwind, Sooner Or Later, Leave Her Alone, Little Company, Brand New Face, Nine To Five, Stranded On The Edge & Why Don´t You Make Up Your Mind.
Musicians on the Whirlwind album: Andrew Gold, Don Grolnick, Michael Botts, Kenny Edwards, Bryan Garofalo, Rick Marotta & Brock Walsh.
All This And Heaven Too
Asylum Records 1978
Tracks: How Can This Be Love, Oh Urania (Take Me Away), Still You Linger On, Never Let Her Slip Away, Always For You, Thank You For Being A Friend, Looking For My Love, Geneivieve, I´m On My Way & You´re Free.
Musicians on the All This And Heaven Too album: Andrew Gold, Jennifer Warnes, Stix Akimbo, Kenny Edwards, Russ Kunkel, Rick Marotta, Brad Palmer, Jeff Porcaro, Mark Saffan, Beau Segal, Lee Sklar, J.D. Souther, Brock Walsh, Ernie Watts.
What´s Wrong With This Picture
Asylum Records 1977
Tracks: Hope You Feel Good, Passing Thing, Do Wah Diddy, Learning The Game, Angel Woman, Must Be Crazy, Lonely Boy, Firefly, Stay, Go Back Home Again & One Of Them Is Me.
Musicians on the Whats Wrong With This Picture? album: Andrew Gold, Don Menza, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Asher, Tesse Coen, Val Garay, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Clarence McDonald, Mike Botts, Waddy Wachtel, Kenny Edwards, Dan Dugmore & Brock Walsh.
Andrew Gold
Asylum Records 1975
Tracks: That´s Why I Love You, Heartaches In Heartaches, Love Hurts, A Note From You, Restin In Your Arms, I´m A Gambler, Endless Fligh, Hang My Picture Straight, Ten Years Behind Me & I´m Coming Home.
Musicians on the Andrew Gold album: Andrew Gold, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Bernstein, Michael Botts, Dan Dugmore, Kenny Edwards, Gene Garfin, David Kemper, Bobby Keys, Trevor Lawrence, Chuck Plotkin & Don Francisco.