The founder of Earth, Wind, & Fire has passed away at the age of 74.
Maurice White was a singer, composer, producer, and bandleader for over three decades. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, White began his career singing at the local church with a group at the age of six. After finishing high school White moved to Chicago where he studied music.
He developed a passion for soul, funk, and R&B and went on to form the group Earth, Wind, & Fire and become the bandleader. The group earned legendary status winning six Grammy Awards, 14 nominations, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
They sold over 90 million albums worldwide, and White was inducted into several halls of fame including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In the late 1980s White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which forced him to discontinue touring with the band. White and the band have been called one the greatest singers and songwriters in modern music history. Many musicians such as Chaka Khan and Lenny Kravitz have cited White as a main influence in their work.
His brother Verdine White took to social media to announce the death, saying White passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday night.
“While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.”
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