Barry White

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Barry White followed squarely in the musical footsteps of Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes and even the politically charged Gil Scott Heron, sharing creamy baritones and a tendency to mix spoken word with song. He started his career aged just 11, playing piano on Jesse Belvin hit "Goodnight My Love" and went on to feature in singing groups through the early 1960s. He successfully switched to A&R and management, putting together female singing trio Love Unlimited and forming the 40-piece Love Unlimited Orchestra to accompany them (White conducted, composed and arranged all their music). The group hit big with "Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love" in 1972, which featured White, and his return to the spotlight was sealed. Whatever your take on his favoured subject matter -- love, love and (time permitting) more love -- White's blend of soaring strings, teak-solid grooves and heartfelt proclamations hypnotises to this day. Sadly, Barry White died in July 2003 aged just 58 after suffering renal failure and a stroke.