Barry White

He married the lead singer of the girl group ‘Love Unlimited’, Glodean James, on July 4, 1974.

Since he suffered from excessive weight issues for most part of his life, health hazards were natural occurrence for the final years of his life. He suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes and was diagnosed with kidney failure as well.

It was while undergoing dialysis treatment that he suffered from a stroke which forced him to retire from public life.

Barry White was born as Barry Eugene Carter in Galveston Texas. He was the eldest of the two children born to the White couple.

Since an early age, he was musically inclined and grew up listening to his mother’s classical music collection.

The first instrument that young White laid hands on was a piano. He emulated the music he heard on records and no sooner, played piano for Jesse Belvin’s 1956 single, ‘Goodnight My Love’.

During his teenage years, he along with his younger brother took to criminal and gang activities. What’s more, he was also imprisoned for four months for stealing $30,000 worth of Cadillac tires.

It was during his days at jail that he listened to Elvis Presley’s ‘It’s Now or Never’. The music inspired him spiritually and morally thus changing the course of his life completely.

Relieved from the prison, he switched to a civil life and took up a music career. He became a part of various small independent groups and labels in Los Angeles. His first ever released song includes, ‘Too Far to Turn Around’ along with the group, ‘The Upfronts.

He released his solo songs in the 1960s, most of which were backed either by the vocal group The Atlantics or The Majestics. In the mid-1960s, he was hired by Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records as an A&R man.

In the new profile, he started collaborating with label's artists including Viola Wills and The Bobby Fuller Four, as a songwriter, session musician, and arranger. He wrote ‘Doin' the Banana Split’ for TV bubblegum act The Banana Splits in 1968.

Furthermore, he discovered singer Felice Taylor and made arrangements for the release of her songs, ‘I Feel Love Comin’ On’ and ‘Harlem Shuffle’. Both the songs were major hits and established her as an outstanding singer.

While his career was scaling steadily, the big break still eluded. In 1972, he hit the jackpot by launching the girl group, ‘Love Unlimited’. The trio group, formed on the lines of the Motown girl group The Supremes, had honed their skills for two years before the launch. It comprised of Diane Taylor, Glodean James and her sister Linda.

He won two Grammy Awards in the categories of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for his final album, ‘Staying Power’.