Barrence Whitfield in conversation with David Eastaugh https://www.facebook.com/BarrenceWhitfieldSavages White adopted the stage name Barrence Whitfield to avoid being mistaken for superstar Barry White and began performing as Barrence Whitfield & the Savages. The band garnered a strong reputation for explosive stage performances, described as "raucous and rough, in high gear from the moment they hit the stage." Whitfield himself was described as "a soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, and early Don Covay." In 1984, the band released their self-titled debut album, mostly comprising cover versions of obscure soul and R&B songs. It received good critical reviews. The following year, they released a second album, Dig Yourself, on Rounder Records. Their music was heard by English radio DJ Andy Kershaw, who taped a Boston performance for airplay in Britain, and brought them to the UK for a tour.