Barry White

“People make babies to my music. That’s nice”

– Barry White

Methodology

Barry White was a very influential artist in his time and even after. Barry’s voice played a huge role in his success as well as his ability to make music about love. Barry had a voice that was very unique (bass tone). When Barry began to music the birth rate began to increase.Barry had many hits such with “Youre the First, The Last, My Everything.” Even years after Barry’s hits, his music is still lively and often played to this day. Barry is a very distinctive man in the music industry and his record has and will continue to succeed him. 

Who is Barry White? : Artist History.

Barry Eugene Carter, otherwise known by his stage name “Barry White was a singer/ songwriter 

who sang under the genres of R&B, Funk, Soul, and Disco. Barry was born on September 12, 1944, in Galveston Texas. Barry’s parents are Melvin A White and Sadie Marie Carter (they were not married). Barry had a brother (Darryl) who he was a year older than. Barry’s Influences growing up included James Cleveland, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, The Supremes, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. White was infected at age 4 with his mother’s ability to play jazz music as well as classical music. Seeing his mother so passionate about music influenced him to learn how to play music. At age four he began to familiarize himself with piano, and that is where baby steps to his career are believed to have begun. Barry’s voice suddenly deepened at age 14 and the course of his life would be changed forever. Barry’s brother Darryl died in 1983 due to gang violence. As a child, Barry was involved in a gang and was arrested at age 16 for stealing. In jail, he often listened to music and vowed that he would go out and make music upon his release.

FUN FACT:   Barry was known as the Walrus of Love. This was because of 

 

 

Early Career

Once Barry left jail he immediately began his music career. and traveled to Los Angeles Barry performed as part of the Upfronts in the 1960’s and his first debut song was “Too Far To Run Around.” In the meantime White had released a few solo songs. White had a passion for music so he began to produce and write music for other artist. Although White was known for singing, he wanted to produce and write more than anything. White produced “Feel Aw Right” by Bel Canto is 1965. White was signed by Bob Keane as an A&R man and began producing and writing for numerous artist such as Viola Wills In the 1970’s White began to produce music and founded a girl group entitled “Love Unlimited.” He produced “Walking In the Rain of Love,”and that made him millions. 

Middle Career/ Love Unlimited Orchestra

White intended to use his 40 piece orchestra as the background for his “Love Unlimited ” girl group, but shifted his plans. In 1973 White and his Orchestra released “Love Theme”  which was viewed as a hit in the disco era. White sucessfyllu mereged classical music, with R&B and Funk Music. “Love Theme” was on the Billboard No. 1 Pop Charts. White eventually found his nitch as a solo artist and was at first in refusal to perform his own songs. It took heavy persuauion which turned to a great success. In this time he prouduced hits such as “I’m Gonna Love you Just a Little More Baby,” “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe,” (No. 1 in R&B and Pop in 1974) “You’re the First, The Last, My Everything,”(Number 1 R&B, 2 in Pop) etc. In this solo career, White worked with 20th Century records, but decided to start his own label entitled “Unlimited Gold” in 1979.

Late Career

After years and years of performing, White’s career began to decline in the 1980’s and had not reached the high stature that he previously attained. Although he had released 3 albums things were never quite the same. In 1983 he had to end his label due to financial burdens. He then signed with A&M Records in 1987 and released “Shno You Right” which peaked at number 17. In the 1990’s White had made a comeback with his album “Put Me In Your Mix” which ranked Number 2 on the R&B singles chart. He then released “The Icon is Love” as well as “Practice What You Preach” Which was almost number 1 util TLC took the spotlight. His song” Basketball Jones” with Chris Rock in Space Jam also because a hit. White was featured in many commercials over the years as well as making guest apperances on Sitcoms such as Ally McBeal. Barry voiced over commericals and proved himself to be a man on many trades. 

Social Involvement

Barry was not very much community involved, but his music allowed other’s to have pure enjoyment. His music promoted love and the nature of loving. He helped put his community by writing songs for other artist and inevitably having a very distinctive voice when made everyone excited. 

Contemporaries

  •  Al Green (April 14, 1946-  Present Day)
  • Isaac Hayes (August 20, 1942- August 10, 2008)
  • Billy Paul (December 1, 1934- April 24, 2016)
  • Curtis Mayfield (June 3,1942- December 26, 1999)

Awards

White was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards; winning two for Staying Power in 2000. (Wikipedia) 

Outward Influence

After years and years of hard-work, White received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame on September 12th, 2013. He was also inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Barry’s song “You’re the First, The Last, My Everything” also made it on Just Dance 4 song list (this was always one of my favorites). 

Death

On July 4th 2003, White died at age 58 due to many health problems he first showed signs of issues with high blood pressure in 1995. He was then diagnosed with diabetes and had kidney failure. He planned to get surgery to remove his kidney but died from a stroke in 2003. He decided to be cremated and his ashes were spread through the ocean. 

Discography

Year AlbumLabelAllMusic RatingUser Ratings 
 
I've Got So Much to Give
1973I’ve Got So Much to Give Hip-O Select
 
 (91)
 
 
Stone Gon'
1973Stone Gon’ Mercury
 
 (98)
 
 
Can't Get Enough
1974Can’t Get Enough Mercury
 
 (151)
 
 Comp1974No Limit on LoveJoker
 
 (3)
 
 
Rhapsody in White
1974Rhapsody in White Mercury
 
 (50)
 
 
Together Brothers [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]
1974Together Brothers [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Mercury
 
 (20)
 
 Comp1975Barry White’s Greatest Hits Casablanca / Universal / Mercury
 
 (28)
 
 Album1975Music Maestro Please 20th Century
 
 (11)
 
 
Just Another Way to Say I Love You
1975Just Another Way to Say I Love You Mercury
 
 (50)
 
 
Let the Music Play
1976Let the Music Play Hip-O Select
 
 (111)
 
 
Is This Whatcha Wont?
1976Is This Whatcha Wont? Mercury
 
 (34)
 
 
Barry White Sings for Someone You Love
1977Barry White Sings for Someone You Love Mercury
 
 (87)
 
 
The Man
1978The Man Mercury
 
 (43)
 
 Album1979Super Movie Themes20th Century
 
 (7)
 
 
I Love To Sing the Songs I Sing
1979I Love To Sing the Songs I Sing Mercury
 
 (16)
 
 
The Message Is Love
1979The Message Is LovePriority Records
 
 (19)
 
 
Sheet Music
1980Sheet Music Priority Records
 
 (18)
 
 
Barry & Glodean
1981Barry & Glodean Priority Records
 
 (20)
 
 Comp1981Barry White’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 [Casablanca] Phantom Import Distribution / Casablanca
 
 (4)
 
 Comp1981The Best of Our LoveUnlimited Gold
 
 (2)
 
 
Beware!
1981Beware!Epic
 
 (12)
 
 
Let 'em Dance
1981Let ’em DancePriority Records
 
 (6)
 
 
Change
1982ChangePriority Records
 
 (9)
 
 
Dedicated
1983DedicatedPriority Records
 
 (8)
 
 
The Right Night & Barry White
1987The Right Night & Barry WhiteA&M
 
 (14)
 
 Comp1988Barry White: The Collection Polygram / UMVD
 
 (13)
 
 
The Man Is Back!
1989The Man Is Back! A&M
 
 (15)
 
 Single/EP1990I Wanna Do It Good to YouA&M
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP1990It’s EcstasyPolygram
 
 (1)
 
 
Put Me in Your Mix
1991Put Me in Your Mix A&M
 
 (21)
 
 Single/EP1992Dark & LovelyA&M
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1992Just for You Mercury / Casablanca
 
 (11)
 
 Comp1992Back to Back: Barry White and Isaac Hayes K-Tel Distribution
 
 (3)
 
 Comp1993Barry’s Gold 
 
 (3)
 
 Comp1994Satin & Soul, Vol. 2: Best of Barry WhiteConnoisseur
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1994Satin & Soul, Vol. 1: Best of Barry WhiteVSOP
 
 (1)
 
 
The Icon Is Love
1994The Icon Is Love A&M
 
 (34)
 
 Comp1994The Best of Barry White [Casablanca]Casablanca
 
 (1)
 
 Single/EP1994Practice What You PreachA&M
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1995Endless Love: A Collection of Great Love Songs & Ballads 
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP1995I Only Want to Be with You (Plus Hits) 
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1995Back to Back: Their Greatest Hits Rebound Records
 
 (2)
 
 Single/EP1995There It Is [Cassette Single]A&M
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP1995There It Is [CD Single]A&M
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1995Under the Influence of Love [Prime Cuts/Galaxy]Imc / Galaxy
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1995X-Tra Smooth 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1995All-Time Greatest Hits Mercury
 
 (73)
 
 Single/EP1995Come OnA&M
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1995Let the Music Play [Spectrum Music]Spectrum Music
 
 (2)
 
 Comp1996Back to BackExcelsior Recordings
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1997Greatest Hits [Experience]Experience
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1997Collection [Video]Media Frem
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1998Under the Influence of Love: The Very Best of Barry White Collectables
 
 (4)
 
 Comp1998Golden CollectionRiviere International Records
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1998Boss Soul: The Genius of Barry White Del-Fi Records, Inc.
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1998Heart & Soul of Barry White [Mastertone]Mastertone
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1999Your Heart & Soul 
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP1999Longer We Make LovePriv
 
 (1)
 
 
Staying Power
1999Staying Power Private Music
 
 (21)
 
 Single/EP1999Staying Power [Cassette Single]White Label Music / Private Music
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1999Can’t Get Enough/Just Another Way to Say I Love YouMercury
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1999Can’t Get Enough/Just Another Way to Say I Love You/Icon Is Love 
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP1999Staying Power [CD5 Single]Private Music
 
 (1)
 
 Comp1999Spotlight on Barry WhiteJavelin
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP1999Can’t Get Enough of Your Love (Remix)Universal Distribution
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1999Gold [Itermusic]Intermusic
 
 (0)
 
 Comp1999The Ultimate Collection [Mercury #1]Mercury
 
 (8)
 
 Comp1999The Ultimate Collection [Mercury #2] Mercury
 
 (15)
 
 Comp2000The Ultimate Collection [Universal – 2000] UTV
 
 (7)
 
 Comp2000Your Heart and Soul: The Love AlbumPrism Entertainment / Prism Platinum
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2000Under the Influence of Love [Golgr]Golgr
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP2000Let the Music Play [Single] 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2001Soul Seduction Em Style / Empire Spectrum (England)
 
 (3)
 
 Comp2001Most Famous Hits: The Album [#1]Planet
 
 (1)
 
 Comp20013 Cd CollectionDigital / Universal
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2001Heart and Soul [Bianco]Bianco
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2002Sweet Love Songs 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2002The Heart & Soul of Barry White [2002 Hallmark]Hallmark Recordings
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2002Boss Soul: Early SinglesVampi Soul
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2002Les Légendes de La SoulUniversal Distribution
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2003Barry White and Friends Disky
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2003Love SongsUMTV / Universal Distribution
 
 (5)
 
 Comp2003Universal MastersUniversal / Polygram
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2003Unlimited LoveDynamic
 
 (1)
 
 Single/EP2003Playing Your Game/I Wouldn’t Change 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2003Best of Barry White [Brentwood] BCI Music (Brentwood Communication) / Brentwood Records
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2003Let the Music Play [Road Classics]Road Classics / Import
 
 (1)
 
 Comp200320th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection Island
 
 (7)
 
 Comp2003Under the Influence of Love [MCP] 
 
 (0)
 
 Video2003Live in FrankfurtPickwick
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2003The Ultimate Collection [Box Set]CCM
 
 (2)
 
 Single/EP2004Can’t Get Enough of Your LoveDivine Recordings
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2004Seleccion 5 EstrellasImport
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2004Heart and Soul [Legacy] Legacy
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2004All in the Name of Love Rremark
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2004Grandes ExitosAmerican
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2004Love CollectionMadacy
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2004The Ultimate Collection [Universal – New Version]Mercury
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2005Under the Influence of Love [DVD]Dvd
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2005Stars Vintage 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2005Best 1200Universal Distribution
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2005Ultimate Collection [Germany]Mercury / Universal International
 
 (4)
 
 Comp2005R&B SoulDirect Source
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2005Gold: The Very Best of Barry White Universal Distribution
 
 (7)
 
 Comp2006FragilePhantom Import Distribution
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2006The Collection [Musicmania]Musicmania
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2006Under the Influence of Love [Creative Sounds]Creative Sounds
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2006Forever Barry WhiteMadacy
 
 (3)
 
 Video2006Live in Europe 1975Hudson Street
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2006Heart & Soul [DFP]Dfp
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2006Live in GermanyImmortal
 
 (0)
 
 Video2006Live in Germany [DVD]Immortal
 
 (0)
 
 Video2007Let the Music Play: The Barry White Story [Documentary]Rajon Entertainment Pty Ltd.
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2007Legends in Music Collection 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2007Forever Gold St. Clair
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2007An Evening with Barry WhiteEagle Records
 
 (3)
 
 Comp2008Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, BabeAll Stars
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2008Under the Influence of Love [Entertain Me]Entertain Me
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2008Gold Hip-O
 
 (7)
 
 Comp2008Out of the Shadows of LovePlatinum C
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2008Essentially: The Collection 
 
 (0)
 
 Video2008A Musical Icon 
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2008Under the Influence of Love [Daydream] 
 
 (0)
 
 Video2008Rhapsody in White 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2008Under the Influence of Love [Forever Gold] 
 
 (0)
 
 Video2008Never Gonna Give You Up 
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2008Love Unlimited Orchestra 
 
 (3)
 
 Single/EP2008Hitpac 5 Universal / Universal Distribution
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2009Number Ones Hip-O
 
 (2)
 
 Comp2009Let the Music Play/Can’t Get EnoughMercury / Universal Music
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2009Best SelectionUniversal Distribution
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2009Unlimited Hip-O
 
 (7)
 
 Comp2010Icon A&M / Island / Mercury
 
 (3)
 
 Comp2010Icon 2 Hip-O
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2011Can’t Get Enough/Let The Music Play/Just Another Way/The Icon Is Love (Barry White X 4)Mercury / Universal
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2013Ballads Mercury
 
 (2)
 
 Comp20145 Classic Albums Mercury
 
 (2)
 
 Comp2018The Complete 20th Century Singles (1973-1979)Mercury / Universal
 
 (4)
 
 Comp2018Love’s Theme: The Best of the 20th Century Records SinglesMercury / Universal
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2018The 20th Century Singles (1973-1975)Island
 
 (1)
 
 Comp2018The 20th Century Records Albums 1973-1979Def Jam / Island
 
 (0)
 
 Comp2019Your Heart and Soul [JDC]JDC Records
 
 (0)
 
 Comp Music LegendLegal
 
 (0)
 
 Video My Everything [Video]Waterfall Home Entertainment
 
 (0)
 
 Comp Your Heart & SoulZYX Music / ZYX
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, BabeMercury / Universal
 
 (0)
 
 Comp Triple Best of Barry WhiteMercury
 
 (0)
 
 Comp What a Groove20th Century
 
 (0)
 
 Single/EP I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More BabyMercury / Universal
 
 (0)
 
 Video Stars In Concert: Larger Than LifeMusic Brokers
 

Conclusion

In conclusion Barry White had an impeccable voice and to this day has a lasting impression. His vocals along with his love lyrics propelled his career. He worked hard for everything he earned, but deserved many more awards In his short life, White achieved greatness. 

Bibliography

Hogan, Ed. “Barry White | Credits.” AllMusic, 2020, www.allmusic.com/artist/barry-white-mn0000149044/credits.

Wikipedia contributors. “Barry White.” Wikipedia, 16 Nov. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_White.

Biography. “Barry White.” Biography, 16 Oct. 2020, www.biography.com/musician/barry-white.

“Barry White.” Billboard, www.billboard.com/music/barry-white. Accessed 16 Nov. 2020.

“Barry White | Encyclopedia.Com.” Encyclopedia, www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/barry-white. Accessed 21 Nov. 2020.

Cartwright, Garth. “Barry White.” The Guardian, 7 July 2003, www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jul/07/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries.

 

 

 

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