Passings: Singer Songwriter Andrew Gold

Andrew Gold, the singer-songwriter best known for 1977's "Lonely Boy" single, died Friday in his sleep from a heart attack. He was 59. That song was heard in films such as Boogie Nights and Water Boy. Another song, "Thank You for Being a Friend," was heard on TV each week for almost a decade as the theme song for The Golden Girls.

The L.A. native began writing songs at age 13. By the early 1970s, he was working as a musician, songwriter and record producer. He was a member of the Los Angeles band Bryndle. In 1975, Gold set out on a solo career and released four albums during that decade.

The year 1975 also marked Gold's successful collaboration with Art Garfunkel. He played all the instruments on Garfunkel's No. 1 UK hit, "I Only Have Eyes For You." Aside from Garfunkel, Gold also worked with or produced music for artists including Cher, Brian Wilson, Don Henley, Celine Dion and members of the Beatles.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.