I am so saddened to hear of the passing of singer, Ari Gold. He died after a long battle with cancer at age 47. Although I did not know him very well I can say that over the years in the brief interactions that we had he was very nice and supportive of my work here on Stonewall Gazette. I truly appreciated his zest for life. He will be very much missed by fans, friends and family.
The talented Ari Gold achieved many career accolades as a queer, trailblazing music artist reaching the Top 10 on Billboard. He was an Outmusic Award Winner and Independent Music Award Winner. He was even knighted for his art and activism by The Imperial Court Of New York.
Sir Ari Gold travelled the world headlining shows with such legendary superstars as Cyndi Lauper, Chaka Khan and Deborah Harry. What adventures he must have had! His songs were also featured on the hit TV shows "Scrubs" and "Cougar Town".
The native New Yorker was born and raised in the Bronx. Singing at his brother’s bar mitzvah was the catalyst for him falling in love with performing. He was just five! Gold made his television debut on the "Joe Franklin Show" at the tender age of six.
Here are a few music video highlights from Ari Gold's career.
Watch six-year-old Ari Gold on "The Joe Franklin Show".
"Where The Music Takes You" Ari Gold (ft. Sasha Allen)
In this #1 Video of the Year (LOGO) and Billboard Top 10 hit, Ari Gold is an animated superhero rock star who ends up saving a dark metropolis with one interracial gay kiss. Directed by Joe Phillips. "Where The Music Takes You" is also the Grand Prize Winner in all genres of the USA Songwriting Competition.
"Wave Of U" by Ari Gold
The first video by an openly gay artist to debut on LOGO, Ari Gold pays tribute to the late photographer and videographer Herb Ritts who died of AIDS in 2002. Directed by Guy Guido, the video features trans-artist DJ Lina and pays homage to such videos as Madonna's "Cherish", Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do Without You", Michael Jackson's "Keep It In The Closet" and Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" but reconfigures them in a queer light.
Sir Ari Gold Music Video Retrospective
Documentary Short
The Real Ari Gold: America's First Openly Gay Pop Star
A docu-mini shot in New York City between 2006-2007 during the making of Ari Gold's third studio album Transport Systems which includes the Billboard Top 10 hit and 2007 USA Songwriting Competition Grand Prize winning song "Where The Music Takes You."
A docu-mini shot in New York City between 2006-2007 during the making of Ari Gold's third studio album Transport Systems which includes the Billboard Top 10 hit and 2007 USA Songwriting Competition Grand Prize winning song "Where The Music Takes You."
Directed and produced by Michael Selditch, Brad Carpenter and Emmy winner Rob Tate. Featuring a guest spot by RuPaul and cameos by Michael Musto, Laverne Cox, and Cazwell.
People Magazine says that Ari's music "takes the listener to fresh places" and Clive Davis says, "he writes from the heart."
WATCH
The Real Ari Gold: America's First Openly Gay Pop Star
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