Time Tunnel Featured Artist – Barry White

 Born in Galveston, TX, Barry Eugene Carter (Barry White),  was known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image.  His greatest success came in the 70's singing solo, and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra.
     Barry White was a two-time Grammy-Award winner  with 106 gold albums worldwide, and 41 of them achieved platinum status.  Twenty of his singles went gold, 10 platinum, and his worldwide sales exceeded 100 million.  White had 20 gold and 10 platinum singles, and critics Ed Hogan and Wade Kergan reported that he had worldwide sales in excess of 100 million.
     Barry became interested in music at an early age where his begnnings were piano.  He was influenced by musical greats such as Rev James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Motown giants Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and the Four Tops.
     What many may not know about Barry White is that as a child, he had a squeaky voice, but as he approached adulthood, that changed dramatically as evidenced in his music.  You also may not know that in his teens, he became involved in a life of crime and gang activity.  When he was 17, he spent 4 months in jail for stealing Cadillac tires valued at $30,000, an experience that he later credited with changing the course of his life.
     Barry White began his music career after his release from jail, and enjoyed major musical success for more than 30 years.  He also gained success with an acting career, and voice over work.  He produced the Love Unlimited Orchestra which was initially formed to back up his girl group, Love Unlimited.
      For most of his adult life, Barry White was overweight and suffered from numerous health problems (diabetes, high blood pressure) in his last years.  Barry was hospitalized with kidney failure due to the diabetes.  In 2003, he underwent dialysis and while waiting for a kidney transplant, he suffered a stroke.  This caused him to  retire from public life.
     Barry White suffered from total renal failure and died on July 4, 2003, in Los Angeles.  He was posthumously inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame on September 20, 2004.
     A musical legend that will never be forgot...Barry White (September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003)