# Eric Woolfson (vocalist/songwriter of Alan Parsons Project) dies at 65 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914 "2009-12-03T23:18:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/1 "2009-12-03T23:18:18Z")
> **[Eric Woolfson | Musical Composer, Lyricist and Songwriter](https://www.ericwoolfsonmusic.com/)** > > This official Eric Woolfson website provides information about the recordings and theatrical works of award-winning composer, lyricist and writer Eric Woolfson. Woolfson was the principal (or possibly even sole) songwriter for the band. Although the band had a revolving door policy regarding lead vocals–with often four or more lead vocalists within the same album–Woolfson’s own vocals became a key part of the band’s signature sound. He sang two of the band’s biggest hits, _Time_ and _Eye In The Sky_. The APP albums of the 70’s, especially _I Robot_, _Pyramania_, _Turn Of A Friendly Card_, and _Eye In The Sky_, were part of the soundtrack of my adolescence, and I feel like I learned a lot from those records that has served me in good stead as an adult musician. R.I.P. Eric. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/2 "2009-12-03T23:46:49Z")
Bummer. The albums that Alan Parsons released post-Woolfson, while they weren’t radically different in style from the Project albums, just seemed to me to be lacking that something special that made the Project work. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/3 "2009-12-04T08:12:06Z")
On every Project album, Woolfson sang a guide vocal track for the eventual lead singer of the song to follow, even if it was a different vocalist than Woolfson. Besides “Eye In the Sky” and “Time,” he also sang “Don’t Answer Me,” which is a track that also stood out for me. His voice will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/4 "2009-12-04T18:02:21Z")
I wouldn’t want to be like him…(anymore) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/5 "2009-12-04T20:43:09Z")
Oh, shit. I’m feeling literally sick about this. **Hoops** , I appreciate you posting this. (Sounds like sarcasm, but it’s not). ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/6 "2009-12-04T21:06:31Z")
> [@Hoops](#): > > The APP albums of the 70’s, especially _I Robot_, _Pyramania_, _Turn Of A Friendly Card_, and _Eye In The Sky_, were part of the soundtrack of my adolescence, _Tales of Mystery and Imagination_, _Pyramania_, and _I, Robot_ for me…very sad to read this. RIP Eric. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/7 "2009-12-04T21:35:27Z")
Very sad news. I’ve always been a Project fan, and “Don’t Answer Me” is one of my all-time favorite songs. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/8 "2009-12-04T22:09:19Z")
But time Keeps flowing like a river (on and on) To the sea, to the sea Till it’s gone forever Gone forever Gone forevermore ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/9 "2009-12-04T22:43:58Z")
Alan Parsons has issued the following statement: “I knew of Eric’s illness, but bravely, he always asked that it not be made public.” “Eric was one of the most generous, musically gifted and knowledgeable people I ever met. He was also - and I mean no disrespect - the most stubborn individual to set foot on the planet - a trait which made him a great businessman.” “His songwriting talent speaks for itself. He not only wrote the majority of the songs we recorded together but after we had two or three albums under our belts he proved - contrary to my own opinions - that he had a singing voice that would be loved by millions. He never let me forget that I actually disliked Eye In The Sky when he first played it to me - arguably my most famous mistake.” “One newspaper rather cruelly, but nevertheless to Eric’s amusement, referred to him as “The Songwriting Accountant” . It was also once said that in his music business dealings he managed to achieve the sale of the Eiffel tower and then having done it, sold it again.” “It is a regret to me that after 15 years of million-selling successes, that his decision to step from the shadows and into the limelight for his first real solo moment of musical glory - Freudiana - was so plagued with personal conflicts with his business partners. Ultimately and sadly, Freudiana was the last occasion we worked together. Speaking of Limelight - my favourite song of Eric’s - was according to him no reflection on his own reaction to stardom or the lack of it. But anyone who knew him will surely agree that upon hearing Limelight’s lyrics that there is a message about his feelings in his chosen profession.” “The hiccup that the Freudiana debacle caused, fortunately had no long-lasting effect and he continued in musical theatre with notable success, particularly in Germany, Austria and the Far East.” “I look back upon our times together making The Alan Parsons Projects very fondly. The legacy that Eric created as half of The Alan Parsons Project lived on with a lasting power few artists have ever enjoyed - and I will always be grateful for that.” ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/10 "2009-12-05T03:58:53Z")
Don’t stop bringing the girls ‘round Don’t start havin’ a showdown Keep on handin’ the jug round All that ya need is wine and good company ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/11 "2009-12-05T18:23:56Z")
_I can hear the cry Of the leaf on a tree As it Falls to the ground I can hear the call of an Echoing voice And there’s no one around_ RIP, Eric. Your voice will always be _the_ voice of the Project to me. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/12 "2009-12-07T19:15:40Z")
“Time” popped into my head the other morning and it made me think of all the people who’ve gone from my life since the song came out. Now I learn it was the same day Eric died.☹ Thank you for the music, Eric. ---
**Author:** ![clarkstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@clarkstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clarkstar)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/13 "2009-12-07T22:14:38Z")
wow this sucks, i just recently got turned on to alan parsons project. i’m sure he must be lead vocals on old and wise which i love ☹ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E\_PVqMtuVzA&feature=PlayList&p=FAE2CDD3EA1775FD&index=0&playnext=1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_PVqMtuVzA&feature=PlayList&p=FAE2CDD3EA1775FD&index=0&playnext=1) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/14 "2009-12-07T22:26:37Z")
> [@clarkstar](#): > > wow this sucks, i just recently got turned on to alan parsons project. i’m sure he must be lead vocals on old and wise which i love ☹ > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E\_PVqMtuVzA&feature=PlayList&p=FAE2CDD3EA1775FD&index=0&playnext=1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_PVqMtuVzA&feature=PlayList&p=FAE2CDD3EA1775FD&index=0&playnext=1) Actually, lead vocals on that one are by Colin Blunstone (former lead singer of The Zombies). ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-woolfson-vocalist-songwriter-of-alan-parsons-project-dies-at-65/519914/15 "2009-12-30T20:47:33Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > Don’t stop bringing the girls ‘round > Don’t start havin’ a showdown > Keep on handin’ the jug round > All that ya need is wine and good company So this thread inspired me to go find a CD of\* Tales of Mystery and Imagination\*. To my surprise I discovered Orson Welles on it, a person not appearing on my vinyl version. I understand they introduced it later (Wikipedia explains it all clearly), but does his appearance work for other folks, or am I just biased against it by my old un-Wellesed version?