RIP: Andrew Gold Dies at 59

Known for 'Lonely Boy' hit and Golden Girl's theme

Singer-songwriter-instrumentalist Andrew Gold died of a heart attack June 3 in Los Angeles, according to a story by Christopher Morris at at variety.com. He was 59.

An early signing at David Geffen's Asylum Records, Gold was best known for a run of mid-'70s albums that spawned the pop hits "Lonely Boy" (No. 7, 1977) and "Thank You For Being a Friend" (No. 25, 1978); the latter song later became the theme of the sitcom "The Golden Girls."



Son of Ernest Gold, Oscar-winning composer of the "Exodus" soundtrack, and prominent soundtrack ghost singer Marni Nixon, Gold cut his musical teeth at West Hollywood's Troubadour. He first attracted attention as a member of Bryndle, a folk-rock act that also featured Wendy Waldman, Karla Bonoff and the late Kenny Edwards.

In 1973, Gold became the leader of Linda Ronstadt's band; his work was featured on Ronstadt's 1974 solo breakthrough "Heart Like a Wheel" and on her hits "You're No Good" and "When Will I Be Loved." He made his Asylum debut with a self-titled 1975 LP.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

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