Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love - Love Unlimited (1972) 3/16/23

In 1972, Barry Carter put together a female trio designed to be a studio background group for 20th Century Records, as well as himself as an artist--under the name Barry White!

Glodean James, her sister Linda James, and their cousin Diane Taylor became Love Unlimited, and soon thereafter, they recorded and released their first "Great Song of the "70s:" "Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love."

Interestingly, Barry only had a cameo in the song, and he literally phoned it in! He only appears briefly as a voice on the telephone.

"Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love" set the tone for all of Love Unlimited's...and Barry's...hits to follow: romantic and sensual.

It was also quite unique for its time, featuring an intro of mixed sound effects, followed by several spoken word sections, some tight harmonies, and a bass solo on the fade out.

Chartwise, It reached #6 on Billboard's Soul Chart and #14 on the Hot 100, selling more than a million copies in the process.

A solid debut for sure, and the future looked bright, both professionally--and personally. In 1974, in the midst of their skyrocketing success, Barry and Glodean were married. (Note: They separated in 1988, but they never divorced.)

"Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love" by Love Unlimited: a "Great Song of 1972!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLUrDLXAC-U