Today is the birthday of Barry White, singer-songwriter known for his deep, sensual voice. The edit above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendar/reference work below were made by me, Frieke.
Barry White was born as Barry Eugene Carter on September 12, 1944, in Galveston, Texas. He grew up in a poor neighborhood in Los Angeles. As a child, he was musically gifted and taught himself to play the piano. At a young age, he became involved in street gangs and even ended up in jail once for theft.
White's breakthrough in music did not come immediately. In the 1960s, he worked behind the scenes in the music industry as a producer and songwriter. In the 1970s, he founded The Love Unlimited Orchestra, a revolutionary 40-piece funky orchestra known for its sensual and romantic themes. Their most famous hit was Love’s Theme (1973). The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was one of the earliest examples of the "disco sound" that would become so popular in the late 1970s. The orchestra also played a major role in White's own music and in the recordings of Love Unlimited, the vocal girl group for which White produced Walking in the Rain with the One I Love
Barry White later began recording and performing himself. His debut album, , I've Got So Much to Give (1973), included his first major hit, I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby. His deep baritone voice, combined with the orchestral background, made his music instantly recognizable. He went on to release a series of successful albums and singles, including: Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (1974), You're the First, the Last, My Everything (1974), Let the Music Play (1976). His musical style was known for its combination of soul, funk, and disco, with heavy use of strings and horns, which became known as the "Love Unlimited Orchestra" style.
Barry White was married twice and had a total of nine children. He married Glodean James, one of the singers of Love Unlimited, in 1974, and they remained together until his death, although they eventually lived separately. White struggled with health issues for a long time, particularly related to his weight and high blood pressure. In 2002, he was struck by kidney failure and later suffered a stroke. He died on July 4, 2003, at the age of 58 in Los Angeles due to complications from his illness.
Barry White is regarded as one of the greatest soul and disco singers of all time. His deep, sensual voice and romantic lyrics earned him the nickname "The Maestro of Love." He was a pioneer in 1970s disco and soul music and was respected and admired by many artists, including later generations.
White's music remains popular to this day, with his biggest hits often used in films, TV shows, and commercials. His influence on R&B and pop music has been significant.
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