White, Barry

▪ 2004

Barry Eugene Carter 

      American rhythm-and-blues singer (b. Sept. 12, 1944, Galveston, Texas—d. July 4, 2003, Los Angeles, Calif.), possessed one of the most recognizable bass-baritone voices in the musical world. Especially popular during the disco-era 1970s—an era he helped set in motion with his Love Unlimited Orchestra's “Love's Theme” instrumental (1973)—he half sang and half spoke romantic ballads in velvety sensual tones that, in combination with lush orchestrations, created an intimate, seductive mood. Among White's numerous hit songs were two—“Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” and “You're the First, the Last, My Everything”—that propelled the album they were on, Can't Get Enough (1974), to the top of the charts, and his album Staying Power (1999) won two Grammy Awards.

* * *