Former Pilot music writer Rickey Wright dies

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Former Virginian-Pilot music writer Rickey Wright died Thursday.

By Jim Washington
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 19, 2009

NORFOLK

Former Virginian-Pilot music writer Rickey Wright died of a stroke Thursday in Seattle, his family said. He was 45.

He had moved to the West Coast to work as a music editor for Amazon.com and as a freelance music writer.

“He had quite a following when he was here and was influential in the local music scene,” said former Pilot writer Earl Swift. “I’ve never known anyone with a more encyclopedic knowledge of music.”

Wright hosted a radio show called “Defenestration 895” on WHRV in the early to mid-1990s. Former Pilot music writer Mark Mobley worked on the radio show with Wright.

“He just knew an insane amount about music,” Mobley said.

Wright would often spout obscure music facts off the top of his head during the show, Mobley remembered.

That knowledge earned him a lifetime supply of CDs from Rhino Records when he won a trivia contest, Mobley said.

Wright’s work appeared in The Village Voice, Seattle Weekly, USA Today and Blender magazine, among others.

“Rickey was enmeshed in music from the time he was an infant,” said his aunt Deborah Ebel of Norfolk. “It was more than a career, more than a hobby. It was his life.”

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Classmate

Submitted by D.E. on Fri, 02/20/2009 at 6:49 pm.

I was a classmate of Ricky's in 3rd,4th, and 5th grade (haven't seen him since). Even then his idol was Elvis and he constantly entertained everyone in the class all day playing his "Air" electric guitar (even with sound effects to go along). RIP Ricky!

Rickey Wright

Submitted by chester arthur on Fri, 02/20/2009 at 12:05 am.

My deepest sympathy to his family.We lived down the street from Rickey and his family when he was little.He was friends with one of my siblings,and right now all I can think of is this extraordinarily bright,brash little fellow coming down the street to talk to my sister.He was a good guy who knew from childhood what he wanted to do when he grew up,and actually did it.How many people get to do that?

Rickey Wright

Submitted by chester arthur on Fri, 02/20/2009 at 12:02 am.

My deepest sympathy to his family.We lived down the street from Rickey and his family when he was little.He was friends with one of my siblings,and right now all I can think of is this extraordinarily bright,brash little fellow coming down the street to talk to my sister.He was a good guy who knew from childhood what he wanted to to when he grew up,and actually did it.How many people get to do that?

Rickey Wright passes away

Submitted by tanyak13031 on Thu, 02/19/2009 at 11:19 pm.

I am blown away...what a writing talent. Really used to enjoy talking about ANY music with him as well as seeing him at shows. I had a flashback to my former days at Tracks. May he get to rock and roll heaven.