Love Unlimited
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Love Unlimited | |
|---|---|
 Love Unlimited, c. 1972 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | San Pedro, California[1] |
| Genres | R&B, soul, funk |
| Years active | 1969–1981[2] |
| Labels | UNI, 20th Century Fox |
| Past members | Glodean James Linda James Diane Taylor |
Love Unlimited was a female vocal trio that provided backing vocals for American singer-songwriter Barry White on his albums and concert tours. They also found success with their own recordings.
Formed in 1969, the group included Barry White's future wife, Glodean James; her sister, Linda James; and their cousin Diane Taylor.[3]
Their first hit was "Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love" in 1972. It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 7 on the Cash Box Top 100, and 6 on the Best Selling Soul Singles Chart.[4] It was also successful in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.[5] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in July 1972.[6]
In 1973, when their album titled Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart,[4] Love Unlimited became the first female group to have an album reach the top five since Greatest Hits Vol. 3 from Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1970. The album featured the single "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)" a song originally written by Barry White and Paul Politi for Felice Taylor in 1966. It would peak at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1975.[5]
In 1975, they had their first and only number one hit, "I Belong to You", which spent a week at the top of the Best Selling Soul Singles Chart. It also peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] The song was featured on their third album In Heat which also included a vocal version of "Love's Theme".[1]
In 1977, they were moved to White's own record label Unlimited Gold, recording two further albums He's All I've Got and Love Is Back (1979).[1] The trio disbanded in 1981 after members sought separate careers.[2] Diane Taylor died of cancer in 1985.[3]
