Earth: Drummer Fred White has died

Fred White, former drummer for Grammy-winning R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire (since 1969) has died at the age of 67. Like his brother and bandmate Verdine White (71), White was found dead on New Year’s morning.

“Our family is saddened today by the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother, Frederick Eugene ‘Freddy’ White,” he wrote. “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now with the angels.”

Successful band history

Fred White was a drummer for Donny Hathaway and other bands before joining Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974. He was behind the drums when the band was among the country’s biggest R&B acts, playing on their gold or platinum albums from That’s the Way of the World (1975) to Electric Universe (1983). The group achieved eight consecutive top ten albums from 1975 to 1981, including the live set “Gratitude”.

Earth, Wind & Fire also had seven top ten pop singles during this period, from Grammy-winning “Shining Star” (1975) to “Let’s Groove” (1981). Her other biggest hits included “Sing a Song”, the Beatles cover “Got to Get You Into My Life” (from the 1978 film “Sgt. Pepper’s”), disco classics “September” and “Boogie Wonderland”. – the latter with the Emotions – as well as the two-time Grammy winner “After the Love Has Gone”.

Earth, Wind & Fire received six Grammys from 1975 to 2005 and a total of 17 nominations. Also known for their colorful outfits and lavish, high-energy live shows, the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Fred White performed at the induction ceremony after leaving the group in the mid-1980s. In addition to the Rock Hall, the group has also been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.