Fred White founded one of the super bands of the 1970s and shaped the sound of a decade. He worked in the studio with numerous stars. Now his brother Verdine announced the death of the drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Earth, Wind & Fire were one of the super bands of the 1970s. Her drummer Fred White died at the age of 67. That’s what his older brother Verdine White wrote on Instagram. Verdine was also a member of the band. He wrote: “Dearest family, friends and fans….. Our family is deeply saddened today by the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother, Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White.”
“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in Heaven and is now drumming with the angels!”
Verdine White called his brother a “prodigy”. “And he was more than that. At home and beyond he was the wonderful brother who was always entertaining and wonderfully funny!”
Philip Bailey, a lead singer of Earth, Wind & Fire, posted a picture celebrating the band’s double Grammy win in 1980. “We will miss you Freddie,” he wrote.
Photographer Bruce W Talamon
James Brown in Ecstasy: This illustrated book celebrates the soul and funk music of the 70s
First tour at the age of 15
Fred White was born in Chicago and began touring with his band The Salty Peppers at the age of 15. They became Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974. The band was very successful in the 1970s and 1980s, after which they toured for decades. The hits “September”, “Shining Star” and “After The Love Is Gone” came from them. In total they have sold over 90 million records and are considered one of the most successful bands of all time.
Maurice White wrote in his 2016 memoir that the band was actually a band of drummers. It was not uncommon for four drummers to play simultaneously at Earth, Wind & Fire concerts. “Fred was the wall,” says Maurice White. “He delivered a rock-solid pace and feel, priceless qualities in a drummer.”
Fred White won six Grammys with Earth, Wind & Fire. In 2000, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Earth, Wind & Fire wrapped jazz, soul, gospel, pop and more into a psychedelic, mystical package. Few groups have been as innovative and loved by critics and audiences as EW&F.”
Jazzy and psychedelic
White left Earth, Wind & Fire in the mid-1980s but returned for the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. White has also worked as a drummer with Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, Deniece Williams, The Emotions, Ramsey Lewis, Jennifer Holliday and Diana Ross. He was last heard on Diana Ross’ album Thank You in 2021.
Lenny Kravitz paid tribute to him on Instagram: “Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and your family. I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A true king. Rest in power. ‘
Source: Stern
I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
