Died On This Date (July 4, 2003) Barry White / Soul Icon
themusicsover Barry White (Born Barrence Carter)
September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003
A young Barry White was going down a wrong path when he heard Elvis Presley on the radio while serving four months in prison for burglary. He was seventeen at the time, and music became his salvation. After leaving gang life behind, White became a successful songwrither, producer, arranger and performer. In 1969, White hit gold by producing a group called Love Unlimited Orchestra. A string of hits followed, with their “Love’s Theme” hitting the top of the pop charts in 1974 becoming, arguably, the first disco hit ever. White’s rich bass voice would become synonymous with all that was sexy in the ’70s and beyond. Hits like “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Baby” and “Never, Never Give You Up” followed and endeared him to fans thanks to his romantic blend of soul and orchestra. His career slowed down somewhat during the ’80s and part of the ’90s until he was introduced to a whole new generation thanks to an animated appearance in a 1993 episode of The Simpsons. A handful of hits followed throughout the ’90s, as did numerous placements of his songs on popular television shows, including Alley McBeal on which he appeared twice. He was awarded two Grammys for 1999 release, Staying Power. White was plagued with health problems in his later years due in part to high blood pressure. He suffered a stroke in May of 2003 and passed away two months later. He was 58.
What You Should Own
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Bill Pinkney is best remembered as a longtime member of the Drifters, one of the premier vocal groups of the doo wop idiom. He was and on-and-off member of the group between 1954 and 1958 and can be heard on such early recordings as “Money Honey,” “Honey Love,” “Maybe Baby,” and “White Christmas.” Unfortunately, Pinkney had left the group by the time they recorded their biggest hits, “Under the Boardwalk” and “Up On The Roof.” In 1958, the group’s manager replaced all the members of the group with new singers after which Pinkney formed the Original Drifters that included members of the early formation of the group. They remained a popular touring act for the better part of the next four decades. In 1988, Pinkney as the Drifters were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bill Pinkney was 81 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on July 4, 2007. He and the Drifters were scheduled to perform later that day.