Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies, aged 67
The legendary Chicago-born drummer recorded on many of the band's key hits like 'September', 'Boogie Wonderland', 'Saturday Nite' and 'Shining Star'
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, 1st January. "Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene 'Freddie' White," White wrote. "He joins our brothers [and bandmates] Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!"
White continued: "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... He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!!"
Born in Chicago in 1955, Fred White played drums for artists like Donny Hathaway, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Hutch and Albertina Walker in the early '70s before joining his brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in Earth, Wind & Fire in 1975. He recorded on many of the band's hits, like 'September', 'Boogie Wonderland', 'Saturday Nite' and 'Shining Star', and albums through 1983. The band was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
The Earth, Wind & Fire Instagram account shared a clip of White's drum solo during a 1979 live performance of their hit 'Runnin''.
