Inspired in the 60s by the likes of Holland-Dozier-Holland and The Supremes, Barry White’s vision was to write, arrange, and produce music for an all-girl group. In that he succeeded, compiling Love Unlimited, a three-girl group featuring his future wife, Glodean. Led by Glodean's soaring vocals, Love Unlimited's 1972 debut album, "From a Girl's Point of View We Give to You...," went gold and included a #14 Billboard single, "Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love."



Convinced by others of his vocal talent, Barry decided to give it a go himself in front of the microphone. His 1973 debut album, "I've Got So Much to Give," lived up to its title and went gold, while featuring a #3 Billboard single, "I'm Gonna Love Ya Just a Little More, Baby."



Using his early success as a springboard, Barry wanted to venture into what were then uncharted waters. Barry’s lifelong dream had been to write and produce soul music for an orchestra. The higher-ups at his record label, 20th Century Fox, were skeptical. Soul music -- for an orchestra? "They thought I was trying to take advantage of my success," said Barry. "They thought, 'ain't no way an orchestra is going to sell!'  So we went around and around until I convinced them." As a result of such convincing, The Love Unlimited Orchestra was a reality, and Barry was its conductor. Its debut album, "Rhapsody in White," went gold off the strength of a #1 Billboard single called "Love's Theme."



Parlaying his continued success, Barry went on to record several more gold albums, including "Stone Gon'," "Just Another Way to Say I Love You," "Barry White Sings for Someone You Love," "The Man," and "Can't Get Enough," which featured a #2 Billboard single, "You're the First, the Last, My Everything," and his second #1 Billboard single and fan anthem, "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe."



Few possess the talent to withstand changes in public tastes and produce widely popular music in each of three decades. Barry has accomplished not only this, but has also given men around the world an ace in the hole. As Eddie Holland of the legendary songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland, once said, "One time I was talking to this girl and she said, 'Since you don't know what to say, why don't you just put on a Barry White record?' Man, that got us right in the mood."



Far from being only a soundtrack for sexual seduction as it is sometimes caricatured, however, Barry's music delivers a message that says, "I lust for you because I'm in love with you." Indeed, in Barry White we have a gifted musician, songwriter, and producer who has mastered his craft of setting to music the most uniquely human emotion:  love.



sho' you right...