fred white

Fred White, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer, dies at 67

by
Drummer Fred White Dead at Age 67

Musician Fred White, who was the drummer for the sound pioneering and chart-topping group Earth, Wind & Fire has died at age 67.

White joined the band at age 19 in 1974 alongside the group’s founders- his siblings Maurice and Verdine White.

In a statement, Verdine White shared praise for his late younger brother’s musical talents and contribution to music, stating “he joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup. But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous!”

(His older brother Maurice passed on in 2016 at the age of 74.)

The band sold over 50 million records globally and were responsible for creating a unique and iconic sound that combined disco, soul, jazz, pop, R&B, funk, disco, big band, Latin, and Afro pop genres. Although Fred left the group in the 1980’s, he returned for a reunion performance as the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

The official Earth, Wind & Fire Instagram account shared a video of White performing a drum solo during the group’s world tour in 1979.

No cause of death was immediately provided.

The post Fred White, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer, dies at 67 appeared first on The Source.

Earth, Wind & Fire Drummer Fred White Dead At 67

by

Fred White, the drummer for the legendary band Earth, Wind, & Fire, has passed away at the age of 67. The band confirmed the news on Sunday.

White’s brother and bandmate, Verdine, shared a post for Fred on Instagram.

“Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member. Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” Verdine wrote to his fans.

NETHERLANDS – MARCH 14: AHOY Photo of EARTH WIND & FIRE and Fred WHITE, Drummer Fred White performing on stage (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns)

He further continued: “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte, and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup. But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous!”

Lenny Kravitz also shared his condolences in the comments section of the post.

“Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the family,” Kravitz wrote. “I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A true king. Rest in power.”

Fred got his start in music when he was 14 years old. He first played with the band the Salty Peppers before joining Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974. The iconic band is best known for their hits “September,” “Shining Star” and “Let’s Groove.” They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 2000.

Outside of his work with Earth, Wind, & Fire, Fred played drums on songs for Bonnie Raitt, Donny Hathaway, Deniece Williams, as well as Diana Ross.

Check out Earth, Wind, & Fire’s posts for the late Fred White below.

[Via]

Earth, Wind & Fire Drummer Fred White Is Dead At 67, His Bandmate And Brother Verdine White Confirmed

by
Fred White Earth, Wind & Fire
Getty Image

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died at 67. Verdine White, his brother and bandmate, shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, January 1. A cause of death has not been publicly revealed at the time of this writing. The band’s official Instagram account also confirmed the news.

Here is Verdine White’s full Instagram tribute:

“Dearest Family Friends and Fans…..

Our family is saddened today
With 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! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup.

But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted!

He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!! We thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time. Soar high baby bro, we love you to the shining [stars] and back!”There was an outpouring of support in the comments section. Lenny Kravitz wrote, “Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the family. I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A true king. Rest in power.” Questlove, Jimmy Jam, Dule Hill, and Loni Love were among others sending their love.

Brothers Verdine and Maurice White, the latter of whom died in 2016, founded Earth, Wind & Fire in 1970. Fred joined the band in 1974 (as noted by Entertainment Weekly), after having proven his drumming chops outside of the family with the likes of Donny Hathaway. Before leaving the group in the ’80s, White contributed to enduring Earth, Wind & Fire hits “September” and “Shining Star.”

The group was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In December 2019, Earth, Wind & Fire were recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. Ahead of the ceremony, Verdine, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson reflected on their iconic journey to that point with CBS Mornings. Watch the interview below.