BARRY WHITE

BARRY WHITE

Barrence Eugene Carter known as Barry White was born in Galveston, Texas September 12, 1944, Barry grew up in South Central Los Angeles. Barry went to jail for four months, for stealing $30,000 worth of Cadillac tires.

After Barry was released from jail he left the gang and started his music career. He had marginal success as a songwriter. Bobby Fuller rock singer recorded his songs and The Banana Splits TV bubblegum act. In 1963 he also did the arranging of “Harlem Shuffle” for Bob & Earl. Barry was producing a girl group he discovered in 1972, called Love Unlimited, that’s when he got his big break. His best friend and music industry businessman Larry Nunes financed his career. “Walking in the Rain (With The One I Love)”

Barry wrote and produced. Barry married the lead singer of Love Unlimited, Glodean James July 4, 1974. Barry had hits in the 70s which includes “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby” in1973, “ “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up” in 1973, I Belong To You” in 1974, “Love Theme” in 1974, “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” in1974, “What Am I Gonna Do with You”

in 1975, “Let the Music Play” in 1976, “Is Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me” in 1977,  “Your Sweetness is My Weakness” in 1978. I grew up listening to Barry and dancing to his music at the school dances and house parties. Barry’s Female fan considered handsome and deeply romantic. He was refer to as the “Maestro”, The Man with the Velvet Voice”, The Sultan of Smooth Soul” and the press called him the “Walrus of Love”. Barry career slowed down by the end of the disco era, but he had his followers.

In the 1994 his comeback album The Icon Is Love with the hit “Practice What You Preach”, was a hit Barry was back. Barry recorded with Tina Turner “In Your Wildest Dreams” in 1996.  Barry’s album Staying Power won two Grammy awards in 1999.  Barry’s music was often featured on the Ally McBeal show, he also appeared on the show twice. Barry was also a voice actor he was the voice of the Bear in the 1975 film Coonskin, he was featured on two episodes of The Simpson’s “Whacking Day” and “Krusty Gets Kancelled”. Barry suffered from high blood pressure, which resulted in kidney failure in 2002. Barry suffer a stroke in May 2003, that is when he retired from public life. Barry passed away on July 4, 2003, from kidney failure on the day which would have been his and Glodean‘s 29th anniversary. Barry White made the ladies scream his name and the men a little jealous I‘m sure. I am truly glad I got to grow up listen to the Maestro’s of love songs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_White

LM

TEDDY PENDERGRASS

Image via Wikipedia

TEDDY PENDERGRASS

Theodore ”Teddy” DeResse Pendergrass better known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear, was born March 26, 1950. My first encounter with Teddy Pendergrass music was in 1977, “I Don’t Love You Anymore” was playing on the radio, I went to the record store and bought that single and “The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me”. Teddy Pendergrass began his music career as a drummer for The Cadillac’s. Teddy Pendergrass was invited to become lead singer by Harold Melvin. In 1972 The Blue Notes had hits such as “I Miss You”, “Bad Luck,” “Wake Up Everybody” a two million seller “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”  and many more. There was a personal conflict between Harold and Teddy, so Teddy went solo. Teddy released four hit singles “The More I Get The More I Want,” “Close the Door,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Turn Off the Lights” and many others. Teddy’s first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass in 1977, followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing in 1978, Live Coast to Coast and Teddy in 1979, TP in 1980, and the final It’s Time for Love in 1981. Teddy sang a duet with Whitney Houston on her self titled debut album the song “Hold Me”. Teddy was in a real bad car accident in March 1982, which left him paralyzed from the waist down, leaving him with partial use of his arms. Teddy appeared  in 1985 at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, performing “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” in a wheelchair. This was Teddy’s first performance since his accident. Teddy toured with Stephanie Mills in the gospel musical production of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God in 1996. Teddy’s autobiography entitled Truly Blessed was released in1998. Teddy Pendergrass retired from the music industry in 2006. Teddy briefly returned to performing for Teddy25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities  a 25th anniversary awards ceremony that marked his accident date and to raise money for his charity The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance.
Teddy went I the hospital and is recovering from rare illness related to his paralyses in August 2009. Teddy Pendergrass (Teddy Bear) is a love song writer that will be one of my all time favorites. My prayers go out to the Teddy Bear.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Pendergrass

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