View source for Barry White

{{Short description|American singer (1944–2003)}}
{{About|the American singer|the U.S. Ambassador to Norway|Barry B. White}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Barry White
| image             = Barry White, Bestanddeelnr 927-0098 (cropped).jpg
| caption           = White performing in 1974
| birth_name        = Barry Eugene Carter
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1944|9|12}}
| birth_place       = [[Galveston, Texas]], U.S.
| origin            = 
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2003|7|4|1944|9|12}}
| death_place       = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Rhythm & blues|R&B]]
* [[Soul music|soul]]
* [[disco]]
|}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* record producer
* composer
* actor
|}}
| instrument        = {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards}}
| discography       = [[Barry White discography]]
| years_active      = 1958–2003
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Downey Records|Downey]]
* [[20th Century Fox Records|20th Century Fox]]
* Unlimited Gold
* [[Casablanca Records|Casablanca]]
* [[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
* [[Private Music|Private]]
* [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]
* [[A&M Records|A&M]]
* [[Eagle Records|Eagle]]
|}}
| website           = 
| spouse            = {{ubl|{{marriage|Mary|end = divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Glodean White|Glodean James]]|1974|end = separated}}}}
| alias             = Lee Barry
}}

'''Barry Eugene White''' ([[né]] '''Carter'''; September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003)<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/07/05/barry-white-velvet-voice-of-love/dd6651cb-6954-470d-928e-a5c7b261b396/ |title=Barry White, Velvet Voice Of Love|author=Richard Harrington|date=July 5, 2003 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030085833/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/07/05/barry-white-velvet-voice-of-love/dd6651cb-6954-470d-928e-a5c7b261b396/}}</ref> was an American [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] and [[disco]] singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and composer. A two-time [[Grammy Award]] winner known for his [[Bass (voice type)|bass]] voice and romantic image, his greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with [[the Love Unlimited Orchestra]], crafting many enduring [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]], and [[disco]] songs such as his two biggest hits: "[[Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe]]" and "[[You're the First, the Last, My Everything]]".

White recorded 20 studio albums during the course of his career, while multiple versions and compilations were released worldwide that were certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]], 41 of which also attained platinum status. White had 20 gold and 10 platinum singles, with worldwide record sales in excess of 100&nbsp;million records, and is one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|best-selling music artists of all time]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/arts-and-entertainment/20130920/steve-smith-christine-mcvie-rejoins-the-mac-cher-says-no-to-russia-joel-santana-honored|title=Barry White Gets Walk of Fame Star|first=Steve|last=Smith|work=[[San Gabriel Valley Tribune]]|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> His influences included [[James Cleveland]], [[Ray Charles]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[the Supremes]], the [[Four Tops]], and [[Marvin Gaye]].

==Early life==
White was born Barry Eugene Carter on September 12, 1944, in [[Galveston, Texas]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/barry-white-36718.html "Obituary: Barry White", ''The Independent'', 31 October 2013]. Retrieved July 26, 2021</ref><ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=1246/7}}</ref> His father was Melvin A. White, and his mother was Sadie Marie Carter. Unbeknownst to his mother, his father was already married to another woman. She gave her son her last name. Upon seeing her last name of Carter on his son's birth certificate, Melvin scratched Carter out and wrote his own last name of White.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/barry-white|title=Barry White|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> He grew up in the [[Watts, Los Angeles|Watts neighborhood]] of [[South Central Los Angeles|South Central Los Angeles, California]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hunt|first=Dennis|date=July 7, 1990|title=Barry White's Sound Has Made a Comeback, but Can He? : Music: The man who loves women has married his silky vocals to a hip-hop beat. He'll : be at the Universal Amphitheatre Sunday.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-07-ca-298-story.html|access-date=September 29, 2021|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> He was the older of two children; his brother Darryl was 13 months younger. White grew up listening to his mother's classical music collection and first took to the piano, emulating what he heard on the records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barry White {{!}} TheAudioDB.com |url=https://www.theaudiodb.com/artist/111299-Barry-White |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=www.theaudiodb.com}}</ref>

White has often been credited with playing piano, at age 11, on [[Jesse Belvin]]'s 1956 hit single, "[[Goodnight My Love (1956 song)|Goodnight My Love]]".<ref>Bobby Bennett and Sarah Smith, ''The Ultimate Soul Music Trivia Book: 501 Questions and Answers about Motown, Rhythm & Blues, and More'', Secaucus, NJ: Carol Pub. Group, c. 1998.</ref><ref name=allmusic>Hogan, Ed. [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/barry-white-mn0000149044/biography "Barry White."] AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2016.</ref> However, in a 1995 interview with the ''[[Boston Herald]]'', White denied writing or arranging the song. He believed the story was an exaggeration by journalists. While White and Belvin lived in the same neighborhood, Belvin was 12 years older than White.

White attended Jacob A. Riis High School, an all-boys academy in southeast Los Angeles.<ref name="Blank on Blank 2014">{{cite web | title=Barry White on Making Love | website=Blank on Blank | date=January 7, 2014 | url=https://blankonblank.org/interviews/barry-white-on-making-love/ | access-date=December 16, 2022}}</ref> White's voice deepened suddenly when he was 13 or 14.<ref name=katz/> He recalled: "[As a child], I had a normal squeaky kid voice. Then as a teenager, that completely changed. My mother cried because she knew her baby boy had become a man." In a 2000 interview with [[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|Conan O'Brien]], he further recalled: "I woke up one morning when I was 14. I spoke to my mother, and I scared both of us."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqAiKn9liIs&ab_channel=ConanClassic|title=Barry White Constantly Meets People Who Were Conceived To His Music-Late Night with Conan O'Brien|date=May 3, 2000|accessdate=July 24, 2022|work=YouTube}}</ref> White also told the BBC that this happened when he was 13.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporters |first=Telegraph |date=2020-02-07 |title=What's on TV this Christmas: Katherine Jenkins, The Unofficial Science of Die Hard, Paddington and more |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/tv-guide-tv-television-tonight/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=AP |date=2003-07-04 |title=Singer Barry White dies |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jul/04/arts.artsnews |access-date=2023-12-25 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
 
White was jailed for four months at the age of 16 for stealing $30,000 worth of [[Cadillac]] tires (equivalent to about ${{Inflation|US|30,000|1961|r=-4|fmt=c}} now{{when|date=March 2024}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2386227.stm |title=Obituary: Barry White |date=July 4, 2003 |work=BBC News}}</ref> While in jail, he listened to [[Elvis Presley]] singing "[[It's Now or Never (song)|It's Now or Never]]" on the radio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ivorcasey.blogspot.com/|title=Ivor Casey|website=Ivorcasey.blogspot.com|access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> an experience he later credited with changing the course of his life.<ref>Barry White with Marc Eliot, ''Love Unlimited'', New York: Broadway Books, 1999, p. 22.</ref> White had another moment of inspiration on his 18th birthday, which also was the first day back for his graduating year of high school. He skipped class to walk to [[Capitol Records Building|Capitol Records headquarters]] in Hollywood and stood across the street from the office staring for hours. Seeing the liveliness of the area it inspired him to work in Hollywood, in the entertainment industry, despite not knowing how to read or write music.<ref name="Blank on Blank 2014"/>

==Music career==
{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2019}}

===1960s===
After his release from jail, White left gang life and began a musical career at the beginning of the 1960s in singing groups. He first released "Too Far to Turn Around" in 1960 as part of the Upfronts<ref name=discography>{{cite web|first=Pete |last=Old |url=http://members.chello.nl/p.klein6/Html/barry_white_discography.htm |title=Barry White Discography |publisher=Barry White Unlimited FanClub |access-date=March 16, 2012}}</ref> before working for various small independent labels in [[Los Angeles]]. He also recorded several singles under his own name in the early 1960s, backed by vocal groups the Atlantics (for the Rampart and Faro labels) and the Majestics (for the Linda and Jordan labels).<ref name=discography/> White had no involvement with [[Bob & Earl]]'s 1963 hit single "[[Harlem Shuffle]]", a song he has sometimes been credited with producing;<ref name=katz>White, Barry. [http://thekatztapes.com/barry-white/ "Telephone interview with Larry Katz"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704083214/http://thekatztapes.com/barry-white/ |date=July 4, 2022 }}, June 1 or 2, 1995. ''The Katz Tapes.'' Retrieved June 4, 2015.</ref><ref name=val>Nelson, Valerie J. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-25-me-nelson25-story.html "'Harlem Shuffle' co-writer was part of the soul duo Bob & Earl"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', July 25, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2016.</ref> in his 1999 autobiography, White confirmed the song had been produced by [[Gene Page]], who had worked with him on many of his 1970s successes.

In 1965, White produced "Feel Aw Right" by the Bel Cantos, released on the [[Downey Records|Downey]] label.<ref>[http://www.45cat.com/record/d128us "Feel Aw Right", The Bel-Cantos, Downey D-128], ''45cat''. Retrieved January 29, 2020.</ref> He recorded his debut single, "Man Ain't Nothin'"/"I Don't Need It", released under the name "'''Lee Barry'''" on Downey in 1966.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-07-07-0307070271-story.html|title=Barry White was the voice of romance|last=Ollison|first=Rashod D.|date=July 7, 2003|website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> He also co-wrote "Together Forever", released by [[Pat Powdrill]] & the Powerdrills in 1967.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernsoulmusic.co.uk/pat-powdrill|title=About Pat Powdrill|website=Northern Soul Music}}</ref>

In the mid-'60s, [[Bob Keane]] of [[Del-Fi Records]] hired him as an [[A&R]] man for his new Bronco Records imprint, and White started working with the label's artists, including [[Viola Wills]] and [[the Bobby Fuller Four]], as a songwriter, session musician, and arranger.<ref name="Larkin" /> He discovered singer [[Felice Taylor]] and arranged her song "[[I Feel Love Comin' On]]", co-written with his friend [[Paul Politi]]. It became a big hit in the UK.<ref name="allmusic" /> Other charting hits written by White and Politi for her included "[[It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)]]" and "[[Under the Influence of Love]]". Bronco issued one of White's first singles, 1967's "All in the Run of a Day", produced by Keane and White itself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Barry-White-All-In-The-Run-Of-A-Day/release/5556368|title=Barry White – All In The Run Of A Day (1967, Vinyl)|access-date=May 12, 2021|website=Discogs.com|date=October 17, 1967 }}</ref> White also wrote "Doin' the Banana Split" for TV [[bubblegum pop]] act [[the Banana Splits]] in 1968.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Banana-Splits-Doin-The-Banana-Split/release/562111 "Doin' The Banana Split"] at Discogs.com. Retrieved February 16, 2013.</ref>

In 1969, White was signed by Forward Records of Los Angeles, a division of Transcontinental Entertainment Corporation, as a producer.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=April 26, 1969|title=Singings|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1969/Billboard%201969-04-26.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=18}}</ref>

===1970s as producer===
In 1972, White got his big break producing a girl group he had discovered called [[Love Unlimited]].<ref name="Larkin"/> Formed in imitative style of the [[Motown]] girl group [[the Supremes]], the group members had gradually honed their talents with White for two years until they signed contracts with [[Uni Records]]. His friend [[Paul Politi]] told him about music industry businessman Larry Nunes, who helped to finance their album. After it was recorded, Nunes took the recording to [[Russ Regan]], who was the head of the [[Uni Records|Uni]] label owned by [[MCA Inc.|MCA]]. The album, 1972's ''[[Love Unlimited (Love Unlimited album)|From A Girl's Point of View We Give to You... Love Unlimited]]'', became the first of White's string of long-titled albums and singles.

White produced, wrote and arranged their classic soul ballad "[[Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love]]", which climbed to No. 14 in the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] Pop chart and No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart in late 1972. It became White's first million selling single as a writer and producer. This single also reached No. 12 in the UK chart. White's voice can clearly be heard in this piece as he plays the lover who answers the phone call of the female lead.<ref name="Larkin"/>

Soon after, Regan left Uni for [[20th Century Records]]. Without Regan, White's relationship with Uni soured. With his relationship with Uni over and Love Unlimited contract-bound with the label, White was able to switch both his production deal and the group to 20th Century Records. They recorded several other hits throughout the 1970s, "I Belong to You", which spent over five months on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart in 1974 including a week at No. 1 and "Under the Influence of Love Unlimited", which hit No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' Pop album charts.  White married the lead singer of the group, [[Glodean White|Glodean James]], on July 4, 1974.

===The Love Unlimited Orchestra===
In 1973, White created [[The Love Unlimited Orchestra]], a 40-piece orchestral group to be used originally as a backing band for the girl-group [[Love Unlimited]]. However, White had other plans, and in 1973, he released a single with "[[Love's Theme]]" (written by him and played by the orchestra), which reached No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Pop charts. Later, in 1974, he made the first album of the Love Unlimited Orchestra, ''[[Rhapsody in White]]'', containing "Love's Theme". White would continue to make albums with the orchestra, achieving some successes such as: "Rhapsody in White"; "Satin Soul"; "Forever in Love"; "Midnight Groove"; "[[My Sweet Summer Suite]]", Remake of "Theme From King Kong". The orchestra ceased to make albums in 1983 but continued to support White as a backing band.

===1970s solo career===
White wanted to work with another act, but decided to work with a solo male artist. While working on a few demos for a male singer, he made three song demos of himself singing and playing, but Nunes heard them and insisted that he re-record and release them himself as a solo recording artist. After arguing for days about it, White was finally persuaded to release the songs himself, although he was initially reluctant to step out behind the microphone.

He then wrote several other songs and recorded them for what eventually became an entire album of music. He was going to use the name "White Heat", but decided on using his given name instead. White was still hesitating up to the time the label copy was made. It eventually became White's first solo album, 1973's ''[[I've Got So Much to Give (album)|I've Got So Much to Give]]''. It included [[I've Got So Much to Give|the title track]] and his first solo chart hit, "[[I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby]]",<ref name="Larkin" /> which also rose to No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' R&B charts as well as No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' Pop charts in 1973 and stayed in the top 40 for many weeks.<ref name=":0" />

Other chart hits by White included:

* "[[Never, Never Gonna Give You Up]]" (No. 2 R&B, No. 7 Pop in 1973)
* "[[Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe]]" (No. 1 Pop and R&B in 1974)
* "[[You're the First, the Last, My Everything]]" (No. 1 R&B, No. 2 Pop in 1974)
* "[[What Am I Gonna Do with You]]" (No. 1 R&B, No. 8 Pop in 1975)
* "Let the Music Play" (No. 4 R&B in 1976)
* "[[It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me]]" (No. 1 R&B, No. 4 Pop in 1977), and 
* "Your Sweetness Is My Weakness" (No. 2 R&B in 1978)

among others.

White also had a strong following in the UK, where he scored five Top 10 hits and a No. 1 for "You're the First, the Last, My Everything".<ref name="Larkin" />   Due to his large frame, facial hair, and deep voice, he was given the nickname "The Walrus of Love" in the UK<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jelbert |first1=Steve |title=Barry White, the Walrus of Love, dies aged 58 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/barry-white-the-walrus-of-love-dies-aged-58-94864.html |access-date=November 5, 2020 |work=The Independent |agency=The Independent |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd |date=July 5, 2003}}</ref> and in the US, "Dr. Love", "Mr. Love", "Prince of Pillow Talk", "Ambassador of Romance", "King of Disco" "The Maestro" or "Guru of Love".

After six years, White left 20th Century in 1979 to launch his own label, Unlimited Gold, with [[Columbia Records|CBS/Columbia Records]].

===1980s===
Although his success on the pop charts slowed down as the disco era came to an end, he maintained a loyal following throughout his career. Despite several albums over the next three years, he failed to repeat his earlier successes, with no singles managing to reach the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, except for 1982's "Change", climbing into the Billboard R&B Top 20 (No. 12). His label venture was exacting a heavy financial cost on White, so he concentrated on mostly touring and finally folded his label in 1983.

After four years, he signed with [[A&M Records]], and with the release of 1987's ''[[The Right Night & Barry White]]'', the single entitled "Sho' You Right" made it to the ''Billboard'' R&B charts, peaking at No. 17.

In 1989, he released ''[[The Man Is Back!]]'' and with it had three top 40 singles on the ''Billboard'' R&B charts: "Super Lover", which made it to No. 34, "I Wanna Do It Good to Ya", which made it to No. 26, and "When Will I See You Again", which made it to No. 32.

===1990s===
A 1970s nostalgia fad allowed White to enjoy a renewed wave of popularity in the 1990s. After participating in the song "[[The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)]]" from [[Quincy Jones]]'s 1989 album ''[[Back on the Block]]'', White mounted an effective comeback with several albums, each more successful than the one before. He returned to the top of the charts in 1991 with the album ''[[Put Me in Your Mix]]'', which reached No. 8 on the ''Billboard'' R&B Albums chart and the song by the same name reached No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' R&B singles chart.

In 1994, White released ''[[The Icon Is Love]]'', which went to No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' R&B album charts, and the single "[[Practice What You Preach (Barry White song)|Practice What You Preach]]" gave him his first No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' R&B singles chart in almost 20 years. The album was nominated for a Grammy in the [[Best R&B Album]] category, but lost to [[TLC (group)|TLC]]'s ''[[CrazySexyCool]]''.

In 1996, White recorded the [[duet]] "[[In Your Wildest Dreams (song)|In Your Wildest Dreams]]" with [[Tina Turner]]. 1996 also saw the release of ''[[Space Jam]]'' and [[Space Jam (soundtrack)|its soundtrack]], on which White had a duet with [[Chris Rock]], called "Basketball Jones", a remake of [[Cheech & Chong]]'s [[Basketball Jones|"Basketball Jones" from 1973]].

White's final album, 1999's ''[[Staying Power (album)|Staying Power]]'', resulted in his last hit song "[[Staying Power (Barry White song)|Staying Power]]", which placed No. 45 on the ''Billboard'' R&B charts. The single won him two [[Grammy Awards]] in the categories [[Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] and [[Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/barry-white/16219|title=Barry White|website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards|date=November 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/staying-power-mw0000242946/awards|title=Staying Power - Barry White - Awards - AllMusic|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref>

His autobiography, ''Love Unlimited'', written with Marc Eliot, was published in 1999 by Broadway Books.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmbug.com/db/344905|title=Barry White - Filmbug|website=Filmbug.com|access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref>

==Acting career==
Over the course of his career, White occasionally did voice-over work for television and movies. He voiced the character Brother Bear in the film ''[[Coonskin (film)|Coonskin]]'' (1975).<ref name="Metro-2">{{cite news |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/dolemite-0309.html |title=''Monstrosious! Rudy Ray Moore and Coonskin at Cinequest: the black hero of the 1970s on the fringe'' |access-date=2007-03-25 |author=Busack, Richard von |newspaper=[[Metro Silicon Valley|San Jose Metro]] |author-link=Richard von Busack |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210113/http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/dolemite-0309.html |url-status=live }}</ref> White voiced himself twice in the [[The Simpsons season 4|fourth season]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', in the episodes "[[Whacking Day]]" and "[[Krusty Gets Kancelled]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bedard |first=Mike |date=2025-01-02 |title=The 15 Best Guest Stars On The Simpsons, Ranked |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1749289/the-simpsons-best-guest-stars-ranked/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=SlashFilm}}</ref><ref name="book">{{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |editor2-first=Antonia |editor2-last=Coffman |title=[[The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family|The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family]] |edition=1st |year=1997 |location=New York |publisher=[[HarperPerennial]] |lccn=98141857 |ol=433519M |oclc=37796735 |isbn=978-0-06-095252-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/simpsonscomplete00groe/page/114 114] |ref={{harvid|Richmond & Coffman|1997}} }}.</ref>

White played the role of a bus driver for a [[Prodigy (online service)|Prodigy]] commercial in 1995, and he also portrayed the voice of a rabbit in a Good Seasons salad-dressing-mix commercial, singing a song called "You Can't Bottle Love".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPnzz_cg1r8 | title=Good Seasons - Rabbit (1999, USA) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=April 5, 2014 }}</ref> In addition, he narrated car commercials, including for [[Oldsmobile]], and later on, [[Jeep]]. White also provided voice-over for [[Arby's]] Restaurant commercials on television and radio to promote its ''Market Fresh'' menu. White narrated [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] first [[iBook]] commercial. White made three guest appearances on the comedy-drama television series ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', as his music was often featured on the show in dream sequences.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BBCO">{{cite news |title=Singer Barry White dies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3046650.stm |access-date=12 October 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=5 July 2003}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

=== Marriages ===
White was first married to his childhood sweetheart, identified only as "Mary" in his autobiography, by the time he was 19. They separated in 1969 and later divorced.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/05/1057179190963.html|title=Barry White dead at 58|date=July 5, 2003|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref>

In 1974, White married singer [[Glodean White|Glodean James]]. The couple collaborated on the 1981 album ''Barry & Glodean''.<ref name=":0" /> They reportedly separated in 1988,<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|date=January 9, 1995|title=Barry White Makes Comeback With Hit Song, 'Practice What You Preach'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qj0DAAAAMBAJ&q=barry+white+glodean+divorce+1988&pg=PA56|journal=Jet|pages=56}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> but they were still legally married until White's death in 2003, although they lived separate lives.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/barry-whites-child-claims-shes-been-cut-off/|title=Barry White's Child Claims She's Been Cut Off|last=Chown|first=Jon|date=July 29, 2016|website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref> Although estranged from White for over a decade, as his widow she was made sole executor of his estate.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/destitute-son-sues-barry-whites-estate-share/|title='Destitute' Son Sues Barry White's Estate for His Share|last=Renda|first=Matthew|date=May 25, 2017|website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref>

=== Children ===
White had nine children.<ref name=":2" /> By the age of 16, White had fathered two children with his first wife Mary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jul/07/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries|title=Barry White|last=Cartwright|first=Garth|date=July 6, 2003|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> They had four children together.<ref name=":0" /> In 2017, his son Darryl White from his first marriage sued his estate, claiming he was cut off financially.<ref name=":3" />

White had four children with his second wife Glodean James.<ref name=":0" /> Their daughter Shaherah was his personal assistant. Barry Jr. played in the Love Unlimited Orchestra and was also his tour manager. White's son MacKevin worked in his publishing administration.<ref name=":1" />

White had a daughter, Denise Donnell, born in 1962 to Gurtha Allen. She did not discover who her biological father was until 1988.<ref name=":2" /> She was accepted by White and with his help she changed her name to Denise White. In 2016, she sued White's estate after she stopped receiving money.<ref name=":2" />

After White's death in 2003, his girlfriend Katherine Denton claimed her infant daughter Barriana was his biological child.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+LAST+WHITES%3B+Soul+singer+Barry%27s+ashes+scattered+on+the+waves.-a0105434043 | title=THE LAST WHITES; Soul singer Barry's ashes scattered on the waves. - Free Online Library }}</ref> Denton also claimed that she was owed money and personal items that White had promised to give her. Paternity tests revealed that he was not the father of her child and Denton subsequently lost her court case.<ref name=":2" />

==Health problems and death==
White was overweight for most of his adult life. 
He reportedly weighed up to {{convert|375|lbs}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1658357/barry-white-death-kidney-failure-high-blood-pressure-type-2-diabetes-symptoms | title=Barry White was plagued with health issues before death | date=August 21, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/barry-white-facts-wife-children-death/ | title=Barry White facts: Singer's real name, wife, children and death explained }}</ref>

While undergoing [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]] and awaiting a [[Kidney transplantation|kidney transplant]] in May 2003, White suffered a severe [[stroke]], which forced him to retire from public life. He also suffered multiple [[seizure]]s in his last few weeks.<ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|date=July 19, 2003|title=Barry White Dead At 58|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2003/BB-2003-07-19.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=6}}</ref>

White's unstable health prevented him from receiving a new [[kidney]], and he died of kidney failure at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] in Los Angeles on July 4, 2003, at the age of 58.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3046650.stm|title=Singer Barry White dies|work=[[BBC]]|date=July 5, 2003}}</ref> His remains were [[Cremation|cremated]] and the ashes were scattered in the ocean off the California coast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legend Barry White Died from Horrible Disease at Just 58 – Glimpse inside His Final Days & Death |date=August 2, 2021 |url=https://news.amomama.com/269460-legend-barry-white-died-horrible-disease.html |publisher=Olawale Ogunjimi |access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref>

==Legacy==
On September 20, 2004, White was [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] inducted into the [[Dance Music Hall of Fame]] at a ceremony held in New York. On September 12, 2013, which would have been White's 69th birthday, he was posthumously awarded the 2,506th star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at 6914 [[Hollywood Boulevard]] in the category of recording.<ref>Andrew Barker, [https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/barry-white-to-receive-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fame-1200608284/ "Barry White to Receive Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame"], ''Variety'', September 12, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.</ref> The show ''[[Counting Cars]]'' paid tribute to White by restoring the last car he owned for his widow, Glodean.

In an obituary referring to White by his nickname, "The Walrus of Love", the [[BBC]] recalled "the rich timbres of one of the most distinctive soul voices of his generation, about which it was once said: 'If chocolate fudge cake could sing, it would sound like Barry White.'"<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2386227.stm "Obituary: Barry White]", ''BBC'', July 4, 2003. Retrieved April 24, 2016.</ref>

In 2023, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked White at number 56 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=January 1, 2023|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/barry-white-1234643113/|access-date=August 17, 2023|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
White was nominated for 11 [[Grammy Awards]], winning two for ''Staying Power'' at the [[42nd Annual Grammy Awards]] in 2000.<ref name=":5" />

==Discography==
{{Main|Barry White discography}}
;Studio albums
* ''[[I've Got So Much to Give (album)|I've Got So Much to Give]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Stone Gon']]'' (1973)
* ''[[Can't Get Enough (Barry White album)|Can't Get Enough]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Just Another Way to Say I Love You]]'' (1975) 
* ''[[Let the Music Play (Barry White album)|Let the Music Play]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Is This Whatcha Wont?]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Barry White Sings for Someone You Love]]'' (1977)
* ''[[The Man (Barry White album)|The Man]]'' (1978)
* ''[[I Love to Sing the Songs I Sing]]'' (1979)
* ''[[The Message Is Love]]'' (1979) 
* ''[[Sheet Music (Barry White album)|Sheet Music]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Sheet Music (Barry White album)#Unsuccessful Barry & Glodean follow-up album|Barry & Glodean]] <small>(With [[Glodean White]])</small>'' (1981)
* ''[[Beware! (Barry White album)|Beware!]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Change (Barry White album)|Change]]'' (1982) 
* ''[[Dedicated (Barry White album)|Dedicated]]'' (1983) 
* ''[[The Right Night & Barry White]]'' (1987) 
* ''[[The Man Is Back!]]'' (1989)  
* ''[[Put Me in Your Mix]]'' (1991) 
* ''[[The Icon Is Love]]'' (1994) 
* ''[[Staying Power (album)|Staying Power]]'' (1999)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=yes|n=no|b=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|f=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|q=no|c=Category:Barry White|wikt=no}}
*{{AllMusic}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name}}
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}
* [https://www.onamrecords.com/artists/barry-white Barry White On A&M Records]

{{Barry White|state=expanded}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:White, Barry}}
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[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
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