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Artist News Obituaries
Maurice White 1941-2016
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 8 February 2016
Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White died at his LA home last week, aged 74, due to complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
A former session drummer for Chess Records, White formed Earth, Wind & Fire – which included his younger brother Verdine on bass – in 1970. They released both their debut album, ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’, and its follow-up, ‘The Need Of Love’, the following year to critical acclaim. The peak of their commercial success came with 1975 album ‘That’s The Way Of The World’, which opened with hit single ‘Shining Star’.
White ceased touring with the band in 1994 due to the Parkinson’s disease he had been diagnosed with a number of years earlier. However, he maintained executive control of Earth, Wind & Fire, overseeing their continued performance and recording – led by Verdine, now the last remaining founder member of the group.
White also worked as a record producer, including on many Earth, Wind & Fire records and his own 1985 solo album. He and the band were inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000.
Maurice White is survived by his wife, two sons and two brothers.
