Barry Eugene White (born Barrence Eugene Carter, September 21, 1944(1944-09-21) – July 4, 2003) was a Grammy Award winning American record producer, songwriter and singer responsible for the creation of numerous hit soul and disco songs. He released 106 gold and 41 platinum albums, 20 gold singles and ten platinum singles.[citation needed] All inclusive, record sales of White's music with singles, albums, compilation usage and paid digital downloads as a singer, songwriter and producer now exceed 100 million worldwide.

 

He created the Love Unlimited Orchestra, which included string and percussion players. Records featuring White's deep bass voice and suave delivery were used by couples wishing to create a romantic ambience, and indeed many of his fans in later years could boast that they had conceived children, or been conceived themselves, to the sound of a Barry White recording. Considered handsome and deeply romantic by his many female fans and admired for the unique blend of soul and classical orchestral musical elements he created, White was often affectionately referred to as the "Maestro" or "The Man with the Velvet Voice". His portly physical stature led some in the popular press to refer to him as the "Walrus of Love" (a moniker not appreciated by some fans).