BARRY WHITEWith his unmistakable deep voice and his unforgetable lyrics,Barry White, who died on 4 July 2003, provided the 1970s with an epiccollection of smooth soulful seduction songs.Despite not being able to read or write music, Mr White was aprolific producer, songwriter and singer and sold over 100 million records worldwidein his legendary career.With songs such as You’re The First, My Last, MyEverything and Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe, White sung about what hebelieved in the most…Love.Affectiona tely referred to by his fans as ‘The Man with theVelvet Voice’ or ‘Maestro,’ Mr White summarised his own music best when he said “aslong as people are making love, they’re going to need a great love song.”He was bornBarrence Eugene Carter on 12 September, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, andgrew up in the high-crime South Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles.At 17 years old he was jailed for stealing $30 000 worth ofCadillac tyres.After spending seven months in jail, White turned his backon gang life and decided to pursue a musical career.Mr White had always been brought up in a musical background andwas taught to harmonise by his mother at a very young age.By the 1960s he had already recorded several songs, but hisfirst big break was backing the singing trio Love Unlimited, with the LoveUnlimited Orchestra which he created.For the next two years, Mr White arranged, produced and wroteclassic soul ballads for Love Unlimited including the 1972 huge hit Walking inthe Rain With The One I Love where White’s trademark deep voice talk-over washeard for the first time.Love Unlimited were soon signed by 20th CenturyRecords and their songs continued to make huge hits throughout the 1970s.By 1973 he had released his first solo number one charthit I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby.This song paved the way for 30 years more of huge chartsuccesses including Never Never Gonna Give You Up and What Am I Gonna DoWith You.In October 1974 he married the lead singer of LoveUnlimited, Glodean James.Although Mr White’s success slowed down a little in the 1980s,he still maintained loyal and enthusiastic followers throughout his entire career.In the 1990s Mr White was rediscovered and he won his firstGrammy award with his album Staying Power (1999).
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