mellowyellow
5 Jul 2003, 15:39
BARRY WHITE IS GONE: Legendary Soul Man Dead at 58.
Barry White (1944-2003)
(Jul. 4, 2003) *A soul legend, Barry White, has passed. He died this morning at approximately 9:30 AM at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles according to his manager Ned Shankman.
White, who had been undergoing dialysis treatment and had been hospitalized since last September, also suffered kidney failure from years of high blood pressure.
He was 58.
Born Sept. 12, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, to a single mother, White and his younger brother, Darryl, spent most of their childhood in south central Los Angeles.
White is credited by some for helping launch the disco era with his orchestral "Love's Theme" in 1973, which he conducted with his group, The Love Unlimited Orchestra
Noted writer and Black Music chronicler, Steve Ivory, says Barry White will be remembered not only for his incredible string of hits like "I'm Gonna Love You More," "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "Practice What You Preach," but for his ability to stay very soulful and at the same time appeal to pop sensibilities.
"What made Barry White one of the true geniuses of popular music was his ability to meld pop and soul influences in a fashion that appealed to the masses without sacrificing the integrity of either genre. Like a handful other iconic performers, songwriters, producers and musicians whose work has served to shape modern pop, White possessed an uncanny intuition for what would work musically. His enormous success was not a fluke; he knew exactly what he was doing, and in the days that he was truly interested in the creativity and business of music, he crafted hits effortlessly."
Reflecting on his personal thoughts, Ivory says he has a special place in his heart for Barry White.
"White allowing me to interview him back in the '70s is what launched my career as a music journalist and writer, and we developed a professional camaraderie. I will never forget what he told me when, concluding that first interview with him, I asked Barry what the future held for black music. '[It will be] Nothing but the pros,' he responded without missing a beat. 'Imitators and one hit wonders will always come and go. But the real pros of the music business will always be around because they have a special, rare talent, and you can't keep the cream from rising to the top.' One of the true pros and musical giants just left the building."
Barry White's survivors include eight children, grandchildren, and his companion Catherine Denton
Barry White (1944-2003)
(Jul. 4, 2003) *A soul legend, Barry White, has passed. He died this morning at approximately 9:30 AM at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles according to his manager Ned Shankman.
White, who had been undergoing dialysis treatment and had been hospitalized since last September, also suffered kidney failure from years of high blood pressure.
He was 58.
Born Sept. 12, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, to a single mother, White and his younger brother, Darryl, spent most of their childhood in south central Los Angeles.
White is credited by some for helping launch the disco era with his orchestral "Love's Theme" in 1973, which he conducted with his group, The Love Unlimited Orchestra
Noted writer and Black Music chronicler, Steve Ivory, says Barry White will be remembered not only for his incredible string of hits like "I'm Gonna Love You More," "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "Practice What You Preach," but for his ability to stay very soulful and at the same time appeal to pop sensibilities.
"What made Barry White one of the true geniuses of popular music was his ability to meld pop and soul influences in a fashion that appealed to the masses without sacrificing the integrity of either genre. Like a handful other iconic performers, songwriters, producers and musicians whose work has served to shape modern pop, White possessed an uncanny intuition for what would work musically. His enormous success was not a fluke; he knew exactly what he was doing, and in the days that he was truly interested in the creativity and business of music, he crafted hits effortlessly."
Reflecting on his personal thoughts, Ivory says he has a special place in his heart for Barry White.
"White allowing me to interview him back in the '70s is what launched my career as a music journalist and writer, and we developed a professional camaraderie. I will never forget what he told me when, concluding that first interview with him, I asked Barry what the future held for black music. '[It will be] Nothing but the pros,' he responded without missing a beat. 'Imitators and one hit wonders will always come and go. But the real pros of the music business will always be around because they have a special, rare talent, and you can't keep the cream from rising to the top.' One of the true pros and musical giants just left the building."
Barry White's survivors include eight children, grandchildren, and his companion Catherine Denton