July 7, 2003

News, Pop, R&B

Barry White Dead at 58

Barry White, the legendary singer of sensual soul, died Friday (7/4) in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was 58. A statement released by his manager, Ned Shankman, said the cause was attributed to a long battle with various health problems, primarily kidney failure caused by hypertension.

Remembered for his lush baritone voice in songs like "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" and "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me," White was responsible for more than 30 years of smooth romantic classics. "Love's Theme" and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" achieved BMI Million-Air status, reaching 3.5 million and 1.7 million performances, respectively, on United States radio and television. One million performances is the equivalent of approximately 50,000 broadcast hours or more than 5.7 years of continuous airplay. In addition, White received seven BMI Pop Awards and six BMI R&B Awards during his career.

White, who is survived by eight children, was working on an album to be released later this year on Def Soul.

Barry White's BMI Award-Winning Songs:

BMI Pop Awards
"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe"
"Love's Theme"
"Never Gonna Give You Up"
"Practice What You Preach"
"What Am I Gonna Do With You"
"I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe"
"You're The First, The Last, My Everything"

BMI R&B Awards
"And Only You"
"C'mon And Ride Da Train"
"I Belong To You"
"I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe"
"Rhapsody in White"
"I'll Do For You Anything You Want Me To"

In this story: Train, Barry White

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BMI represents more than 400,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers with more than 6.5 million works.