I first heard Andrew Gold's "Thank You For Being a Friend" during the 1980s when it was used as the theme for the TV sitcom The Golden Girls. The song itself, however, was introduced by Gold in 1978 on his album, All This and Heaven Too. It reached #25 on Billboard, but in my book it is a Number One.
Gold was born in Burbank, California in 1951. His mother is Marni Nixon, and she is well-known as a singer in her own right. Her voice can be heard in some famous movie musicals, and this includes dubbing the singing parts for Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. His father was composer Ernest Gold, who won an Academy Award in 1961 for writing the film score for Exodus.
Andrew Gold's music career began during the 1970s. One of his earliest recordings was performing most of the instruments on Linda Ronstadt's 1974 hit "You're No Good." He has also produced and/or arranged albums for Ronstadt, 10cc, Art Garfunkel and Japanese rock singer Eikichi Yazawa. One of his most recent production credits is the Christmas album by the pop duo America.
Gold's biggest single to date is "Lonely Boy," a #7 pop hit in 1977. However, it is "Thank You For Being a Friend" that has become more popular, thanks in part to The Golden Girls. Gold has contributed to film and TV soundtracks over the years, including the theme song to Mad About You.
Andrew Gold died of a heart attack on June 3, 2011. He was 59 years old.
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