Barry White's Family Confirms Stroke

COPYRIGHT: (c) Reuters 2003 ^ | May 19, 2003 | Barry A. Jeckell

[augray]

Barry White's Family Confirms Stroke

Soul singer Barry White, battling kidney failure since last fall, suffered a new health setback on May 1 with a speech-impairing stroke, his daughter, Shaheara White, has revealed.

[augray]

Barry White's Family Confirms Stroke

Soul singer Barry White, battling kidney failure since last fall, suffered a new health setback on May 1 with a speech-impairing stroke, his daughter, Shaheara White, has revealed.

The stroke also affected the right side of White's body, but the 58-year-old entertainer is otherwise in "great spirits" as he waits in Los Angeles for his condition to stabilize enough to undergo a kidney transplant, his daughter said.

White's record label, the Island Def Jam Music Group, disclosed in September that he was undergoing dialysis for kidney failure brought on by a history of high blood pressure.

"My dad had surgery May 1 to place a catheter in his arm," his daughter said. "He had a stroke ... that affected his speech and the right side of his body, but he is in great spirits."

The singer, a native of Galveston, Texas, who grew up in L.A., was honored last week through a resolution adopted by the L.A. City Council to name a recreation center for him.

[Jack Wilson]

With Luthor V. down and now Barry White, any doubt who will be the new American Idol?

[ThomasMore]

Too bad about Barry. He was a good entertainer with a real good voice. I remember listening to him when I was in my twenties and he was in his prime.

Prayer bump!

[SamAdams76]

I've got most of Barry White's 1970s Top 40 hits along with some stuff he did with Love Unlimited. It's not bad stuff at all. I liked most of the soul music of the 1960s and 70s. Unfortunately, the genre transformed itself into mostly funk and rap.

Sad to hear about his medical conditions. I wonder if his girth played a role. He is a big man.

[Howlin]

Luther is in a bad, bad way.

[daniel boob]

He is a big guy... I always wondered if he used a pup-tent for a jockstrap.

Barry got us through hot Texas summers in the backseats of our oldsmobiles as we plied the trades of youthful foolishness.

Frankly, if you couldn't score with Barry on the tape, no score was possible.

He is the man. Get well prayers for Barry.

[Buffalo Bob]

Thanks to Barry for many splendored nights!

[Revolting cat!]

any doubt who will be the new American Idol?

You, Jackie Wilson?