Listen to us Saturday nights/Sunday mornings. Between the hours of
Midnight and 6AM Eastern Standard Time.
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Barry White
The sun has just set, you're
with that very special 'someone.' On the radio a smooth sultry
drumbreak plays, broken up by the sexiest piano riff. Then that velvet
thick bass voice comes in, 'awwwwwwwwwww yeahhhhhhhhh...' The mood is
perfect as you and your special someone envelope one another into your
world of sensual delight, and then... *fade to black*. Many a date has
gone down that path, urged on by Barry White's voice. Such is the
legacy of this Galveston, Texas born-South Central Los Angeles bred
sultan of all things sexy, sensual, and funky.
Who could've foretold this man, born September 12, 1944, would become
so damn well-known for all the baby-making his music would inspire?
Even sharks are said to have been put into the mating mood by his music
(true fact... a UK aquarium jokingly piped Barry's music into the tank
and the sharks wound up mating, even though previous mating attempts
had failed). He was raised in Los Angeles. Joined a gang at age 10 and
went to jail at age 17 (grand larceny, $30,000 worth of Cadillac
tires). He left gang life behind afterwards.
His music career began as a member of several singing groups in the
early 60s. One such group was Valentino & The Lovers. It was
through this group that he and producer Paul Politi met. At the time
Politi was vice-president of promotion for newly started Bronco/Mustang
Records, which was started by Bob Keane as a west-coast answer to
Detroit's Motown label. Keane was looking for a new A&R... Politi
brought in Barry White. Barry White would take on A&R, producing,
songwriting, and even engineering duties. Barry's first big hit as a
songwriter/pruducer was The Bobby Fuller Four's, 'The Magic Touch' and
'I'm a Lucky Guy.' Barry's first production release on the
Mustang/Bronco label was by The Versatiles, whom eventually went on to
become 5th Dimension. Throughout the 60s, Barry would produce and write
for Viola Willis, Johnny Wyatt, and Felice Taylor, all released on the
Mustang/Bronco label. Barry would also record his first music as an
artist on this label.
1969 brought Diane Taylor, Glodean James, and sister Linda James
together as Love Unlimited. Mr White's production fame would explode
with the release of Love Unlimited's platinum selling 1972 released
'Walkin In The Rain With The One I Love.' The very next year, Barry
would release his debut solo album, 'I've Got So Much To Give.' His
recording career would last through 1999, touring steadily until
a stroke (due to renal failure) forced him to retire in May of 2003.
His music has been sampled by Hip Hop artists since the late 80's and
many of his hits were featured as the soundtrack to the television
series Ally McBeal.
July 4, 2003 Barry Eugene Carter aka Barry White, died of renal failure.
