R.I.P. Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire 1941-2016

Maurice White, the co-founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 74.

White formed Earth, Wind & Fire with his brothers Verdine and Fred in 1969. Maurice was the main songwriter and producer for the band.

White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the late 1980s and was forced to stop touring with the band by 1994. He took on a behind the scenes role in Earth, Wind & Fire after that.

Earth, Wind & Fire had their first no 1 hit with ‘Shining Star’ in 1975. That started a steady stream of chart hits with songs like ‘Serpentine Fire’, ‘Fantasy’, ‘That’s The Way of the World’, ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’, ‘Boogie Wonderland’, ‘After The Love Has Gone’ and ‘Lets Groove’.

President Obama invited Earth, Wind & Fire to perform on the first social occasion of his administration.

Maurice White died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles from the effects of Parkinson’s Disease on February 3, 2016.

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A statement from the Grammy Awards boos Neil Portnow states: We are very saddened to learn of the passing of seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner Maurice White. A founding member and leader of Earth, Wind & Fire, who are receiving our Lifetime Achievement Award this year, Maurice was the guiding force behind the group’s success and helped create hit songs such as “Shining Star,” “September,” “After The Love Has Gone,” and so many memorable others. His unerring instincts as a musician and showman helped propel the band to international stardom, influencing countless fellow musicians in the process. While he will be greatly missed, Maurice’s contributions to music will live on. We offer our condolences to his family, friends and creative collaborators.

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy