LOS ANGELES -- Velvet-voiced R&B crooner Barry White, renowned for his lush baritone and lyrics that oozed sex appeal on songs such as Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe, died on Friday morning, his manager said. He was 58.

White, who had suffered kidney failure from years of high blood pressure, died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center around 9.30am (1300 GMT), said manager Ned Shankman.

He had been awaiting a kidney transplant and undergoing dialysis treatment since being hospitalised last September. He also suffered a stroke in May which had impaired his speech.

The heavyset musician enjoyed three decades of fame for songs like You're The First, the Last, My Everything and It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me.

Although his popularity peaked in the 1970s, White received belated recognition for his work in 2000, when he won his first two Grammys for best male and traditional R&B vocal performance for the song Staying Power.

Born Sept 12, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, to a single mother, White and his younger brother, Darryl, spent most of their childhood in south central Los Angeles.

He was jailed at age 16 for stealing tires, a punishment he credited with helping him straighten out his life and dedicate his efforts to music.

Although his career waned in the '80s, his songs were regularly featured on the Fox comedy series Ally McBeal and he made a guest appearance on the show as himself.

White's survivors include eight children, grandchildren, and his companion Catherine Denton. -- AP, AFP

 

NOOOOO!!!! , well at least we will still have his music to set "the mood"

 

Pootaki....damn.

 

The voice that made women cream their shorts. Most sad.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]The voice that made women cream their shorts.

 

I know that Ally McBeal slid off her chair a few times because of it.

 

now there's a visual i didnt' need.

 

Very sad... his songs rule... he seemed like a very nice man as well