Earth Wind & Fire drummer, Fred White

2023 - 1 - 4

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Fred White, Drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, Dies at 67 (The New York Times)

He provided the beats on unforgettable hits like “September,” “Let's Groove,” “Shining Star” and “Boogie Wonderland.”

[told](https://web.archive.org/web/20170729095734/https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/february-march-1982-triumvirate-earth-wind-fires-ralph-johnson-freddie-white-philip-bailey/) Modern Drummer magazine in 1982, and gained a sense of purpose from the drums. Fred was still a teenager. He was one of the best things going for us.” Johnson’s responsibilities to vocals and other percussion instruments, including the congas. Speaking to Modern Drummer, Fred White acknowledged that his early years sharing drumming duties with Mr. His father, Verdine Sr., was a podiatrist. Though the band’s music was recognizable for its joyous horn section and smooth vocals, Maurice, in his 2016 For two years, Fred White and Ralph Johnson both performed onstage with full drum kits. He shared a mother with Maurice, Edna (Parker) White, a homemaker. The announcement did not say where he died or give the cause. The songs’ first few bars alone have long been known to move people to the dance floor. “Fred was the brick wall,” Maurice White wrote in his memoir.

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies aged 67 (Sky News)

Fred White was among the early members of Earth, Wind & Fire, along with brothers Verdine and Maurice. He played on many of their hit albums and songs, ...

"I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. "He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! He was brother number four in the family line-up. He paid tribute to "an amazing and talented family member" in a statement shared on Instagram. Fred White was among the early members of Earth, Wind & Fire, along with brothers Verdine and Maurice. The band featured a range of different musicians throughout the years and spanned genres from R'n'B and soul to pop and disco.

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies aged 67 (Resident Advisor)

The Chicago-born musician was part of the group's golden era, which included disco classics "September" and "Boogie Wonderland."

Read Verdine's post, and watch Earth, Wind & Fire performing "September" live in 1979. Although White left Earth, Wind & Fire in the early '80s, he'll nevertheless go down as one of the most sampled drummers of all time. A child drumming prodigy, Chicago-born White began touring with soul singer Donnie Hathaway in his mid-teens, before joining an early iteration of Earth, Wind & Fire known as The Salty Peppers.

Who is Fred White? Former Earth, Wind & Fire drummer dies at 67 (Evening Standard)

Described as a child drumming prodigy, White was one of the early members of Earth, Wind & Fire, founded by his brother, Maurice.

The band won a total of six Grammy awards and four American Music Awards. Earth, Wind & Fire was originally founded by Fred’s brother, Maurice White, in 1969. Described as a child drumming prodigy, White was one of the early members of Earth, Wind & Fire, founded by his brother, Maurice.

Fred White, former Earth, Wind & Fire drummer, has died aged 67 (Guitar.com)

The news was broken on Sunday (January 1), by Verdine White, the drummer's brother and former bandmate. The cause of death has not yet been announced. “Dearest ...

He was responsible for co-creating some of their most famous tracks, including September and Boogie Wonderland. The cause of death has not yet been announced. … He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!!

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies, aged 67 (DJ Mag)

Fred White, drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at age 67. The news was announced on Instagram by brother and fellow bandmate Verdine White on Sunday, ...

Fred White, drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, dies at 67 (Los Angeles Times)

Drummer Fred White, who backed up his brothers Maurice White and Verdine White in the hit-making ensemble Earth, Wind & Fire, has died.

Some of the band’s biggest hits are still widely popular, often sampled and used in movies. Fred White was already an accomplished drummer, playing for Donny Hathaway, before he joined Earth, Wind & Fire in the mid-1970s alongside drummer and percussionist Ralph Johnson. Driven by its horn section, the Phenix Horns, and a reputation for energetic live performances, the group’s popularity grew after it moved to Columbia Records, which was then under the leadership of Clive Davis.