On July 4, 2003, the world mourned the death of R&B crooner Barry White. His voice was one of the most wonderful to rise in the latter half of the 20th century, making him one of the most long-standing artists of his generation. He died of kidney failure, brought on by years of struggle with high blood pressure. Though his voice will continue to move fans through his many recordings, there is no replacing the live performances of this unsurpassed star whose smooth vocals used to ring with a sexy, velvety softness, wowing crowds the world over.

Barry was born at the end of World War II on September 12, 1944 in Galvaston, Texas, but he was raised in Los Angeles. His entry into the music world took place at the tender age of 11, when he played piano for the hit song "Goodnight My Love" by Jesse Belvin. It took him some time to make it as a solo artist, however, so he worked as a producer for several years. He guided the careers of many key bands during the first years of his career, including the Versatiles, who eventually became 5th Dimension.

He did eventually find success as a solo artist, and when his career really took off, he became known as a mesmerizing artist who could hold an audience captivated with only his voice. His 1973 single "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" topped the R&B Charts and reached number three in the pop chart. Through the next few decades, his voice could be heard on stage and in concert, oozing sex appeal and depth that has not been surpassed since. Five years since his death, Barry White is still missed as one of the great musical losses of this decade.