Disco Profiles - Barry White





Barry White was born on 12 September 1944, Galveston, Texas, USA. Raised in Los Angeles, White immersed himself in the local music fraternity while still very young, playing piano on Jesse Belvin's hit, 'Goodnight My Love', at the age of 11. Barry made several records during the early 60s, under his own name, as 'Barry Lee', and as a member of the Upfronts, the Atlantics and the Majestics. However, he found a greater success as a backroom figure, guiding the careers of, amongst others, Felice Taylor and Viola Wills. In 1969 White put together Love Unlimited, a female vocal trio made up of Diana Taylor, Glodean James (his future wife) and her sister Linda. He also founded the Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece ensemble to accompany himself and the singing trio, for which he conducted, composed and arranged. Love Unlimited's success in 1972 with 'Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love', featuring White's gravelly, passion-soaked voice on the telephone, rejuvenated Barry's own career, during which he scored major US hits with 'I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby', 'Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up' (both 1973),
Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe' and 'You're The First, The Last, My Everything' (both 1974) all of which proved just as popular in the UK. With these, the artist established a well-wrought formula where catchy pop/soul melodies were fused to sweeping arrangements and the singer's husky growl. The style quickly verged on self-parody as the sexual content of the lyrics grew more explicit, but although his pop hits lessened towards the end of the 70s, he remained the idolatry subject of live performances.

He also had a major hit in 1978 with Billy Joel 's 'Just The Way You Are'. He later undertook several recordings with Glodean White before returning to the Top 20 in 1987 with 'Sho' You Right'. The subject of critical approbation, particularly with reference to his large frame. White's achievements during the peak of his career, in securing gold and platinum discs for worldwide sales, should not be underestimated. Lisa Stansfield has often voiced her approval of White's work and in 1992, she and White re-recorded a version of Stansfield's hit, 'All Around The World' but it was not as successful as the original.

He was brought back in the limelight in the 90's thanks to the resurgence of 70's pop culture and appearances on 'Ally McBeal'. In 1999 Barry released his latest album, 'Staying Power' to critical acclaim. A greatest hits collection was released in 2000 billed as the 'Ultimate Collection' and commenced a world tour which will saw him hit Melbourne Park on November 29, 2000.

White suffered a stroke and on July 5th 2003, died from kidney failure. He was 58 years old.