White grew up on the Isle of Wight, completely self-taught as a guitarist.

Born Terence Charles Whiteis best known for having played with Thin Lizzy from 1979 to 1981 and with Pink Floyd (as a back-up player in their tours through Europe and the United States, in 1977, and during The Wall shows in 1980) and, more recently, for Roger Waters' band. In 1983 his solo song "Bird of Paradise" became a Chart Top 10 hit single in the UK.