The late R&B singer, composer and producer Barry White released his first solo album with 20th Century Records in 1973. Backing his work throughout his seven years with the label was Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece ensemble conducted by White himself. Their biggest single, 1973’s “Love’s Theme,” went to #1 in the U.S. and #10 in the U.K.
White also produced releases for the label by the female vocal trio Love Unlimited, whose 1975 single “I Belong To You” hit #1 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart.
His “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,” released in 1974, ultimately reached #2 on the pop chart.
In 1976, White founded Unlimited Gold Records, where he served as both executive producer and producer. His career began in the mid-’60s as a co-producer. He blossomed in the early ’70s when he distinguished himself as an arranger, composer, writer, musician, singer and as a leading pioneer of disco. 1972’s “Walking in the Rain With the One I Love,” which he wrote and produced for Love Unlimited was his first Gold single. The Love Unlimited trio featured Glodene James (whom White married in 1975), her sister Linda James, and Diane Taylor.
A Mercury/UMe Barry White/20th Century Records reissue program was launched in 2018 with boxed set releases of White’s remastered solo albums and singles from his tenure with the label. From a press release, “Fifteen years since his untimely death in 2003 at the age of 58, the global campaign honors White’s legendary career by restoring these classic albums and presenting them together.” Unfortunately, they all seem to be out-of-print already. Other titles are available here.
White was born Barry Carter on September 12, 1944, in Galveston, Tex. That booming voice arrived one day as a young teen. “I woke up one morning when I was 14,” he told Conan O’Brien in 2000. “I spoke to my mother and I scared both of us.” While still in his teens, he was arrested for stealing tires. It’s said that he experienced an epiphany while in jail when he heard Elvis Presley singing “It’s Now or Never” on the radio. Upon release, he began a musical career in various singing groups and went on to have modest success as a songwriter, session musician and arranger. He discovered Love Unlimited in 1972 and soon developed the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The musicians backed the songs made by the girl-group as well as his own recordings.
Listen to “Love’s Theme”
The maestro ultimately earned six Top 10 pop singles and 14 on the R&B chart, six of which reached #1.
He and his wife, Glodene, had four children. (The couple separated but never divorced.) White was overweight and had numerous health issues throughout his adult life. While awaiting a kidney transplant in 2003, he suffered a stroke. He died soon after on July 4. He was awarded a star, posthumously, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.
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Jump into a conversationI have fond memories of listening to my AM radio when I was 12 years old, waiting for Love’s Theme to come on