R&B Legend Barry White Dies

07/05/2003 7:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Billy Johnson Jr

(7/5/03, 7 a.m. ET) – Legendary soul singer, songwriter, and producer Barry White died Friday (July 4) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, White’s longtime manager Ned Shankman confirmed in a statement.

Born September 12, 1944 in Galveston, Texas, White was 58 years old.

According to Shankman, White was admitted to the hospital last September, experienced kidney failure and underwent dialysis, but remained in good spirits.

"Barry continued to fight, getting care at the finest hospital from the finest medical help available,” said Shankman, who began working with White in 1973.

Soul Train founder Don Cornelius, who visited White in the hospital two months ago, told AP that White's strength allowed him to combat his medical conditions for so long. "The man really suffered," Cornelius told AP. "At times he was full of tubes. If it wasn't for the fact that he was an abnormally strong man, he would've been gone a long time ago."

While White’s recent acclaim includes stints on TV shows Ally McBeal and the Simpson’s as well as receiving his first two Grammy awards in 2000, his three decade career comprises 106 gold and 41 platinum albums; and 20 gold and 10 platinum singles. “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe” and “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” are among his hit songs.

In May, the City Council in Los Angeles voted unanimously to name a recreational center in the South Park community after White. Though White was born in Galveston, he was reared in Los Angeles.

Prior to his death, White, producer/friend Jack Perry, advisor Abby Schroeder, and Shankman were working on a “duets” album to be released on Def Soul.

In 1999, White released his autobiography, Love Unlimited, Insight On Life & Love.

White is survived by 8 children, grandchildren, and companion, Catherine Denton.

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