Good morning, Kittens and Dawgs! You’ve made this Cathy happy with your visit. For several months I wanted to spotlight today’s artist. Born Barry Eugene Carter September 12, 1944, this singer/songwriter, composer is a three-time Grammy Award recipient and well-known for his romantic baritone vocals. I give you, Barry White!
White’s two biggest hits were You’re My First, My Last, My Everything (which I don’t remember) and “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe” (I do remember).
But, the song I remember him best from his 1973 #1 Billboard Pop Charts’ hit!
“Love’s Theme” appeared on his first album, Rhapsody in White, under Love Unlimited Orchestra.
I sorta lost touch with Barry White after the 70s but in the late 80s he released, The Man is Back, that produced three Top 40 singles on the Billboard R&B chart. “Super Lover” landed on #34, “I Wanna Do It Good to Ya” hit #26, and “When Will I See You Again” took #32.
With the involvement in Quincy Jones production of The Secret Garden allowed White to ride a new wave of popularity after which he launched several albums returning him to spotlight in 1991 with Put Me in Your Mix at #8 on Billboard R&B Album chart and the song by the same name hit #2 on Billboard R&B Singles chart.
1994 was a good year for White with the release of Icon of Love that went to #1 on the Billboard R&B Album charts and from this album, the first song, “Practice What You Preach” hit #1 on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart which was a first for him in 20 years. (REPLACE)
White’s album was nominated for a Grammy in the Best R&B Album category. However, he lost to TLC’s CrazySexyCool.
In 1996, Barry White teamed up with Tina Turner to produce, “In Your Wildest Dreams”.
Staying Power (1999) was White’s last album which produced his final hit single with the song by the same name at #45 on the Billboard R&B Charts but it also landed him two Grammy Awards: The Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and The Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
Barry White was a big man. Unfortunately, his obesity contributed to problems with high blood pressure and diabetes. In May 2003 while on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant, Barry had a massive stroke forcing him out of the limelight, then two months later on July 4th, White died.
Barry’s career was mega size on a worldwide level with 106 gold albums (41 of these reached platinum), 20 gold and 10 platinum singles and sales of more than 100M dollars. He’s regarded as an all-time world’s best-selling artist. His career inspiration comes from Motown greats – The Supremes, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye plus some southern influence from Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and the King of Rockin’ Roll, Elvis Presley.
Thanks for making me a part of your morning and I hope you’ll share the mews of my new weekly meme with your lovelies with the below tweet or through other social media shares.
Want more romantic mewsic? Visit my Smoother Than Chocolate Love Mewsic post from yesterday and if you stick around a bit you can catch my random Valentine’s Day post on Cathy Chats! ?
Have a tunesational day!