Fred White, the previous drummer of Earth, Wind & Hearth, has died. He was 67.
The percussionist’s brother and bandmate Verdine White shared the unhappy information by way of social media on Sunday (Jan. 1). Neither the date nor the reason for White’s loss of life had been disclosed at press time.
“Our household is saddened at present with the lack of an incredible and proficient member of the family. Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” Verdine White wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of his brother.
“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte, and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!” he added. “He was the great bro that was at all times entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we may at all times rely on him to make a seemingly dangerous scenario extra light-hearted.”
Fred White was born on Jan. 13, 1955 in Chicago. He started drumming on the age of 9 and later carried out with Linda Ronstadt and Donny Hathaway earlier than becoming a member of Earth, Wind & Hearth in 1974. He was the fourth of the White brothers to carry out within the Grammy-winning R&B band.
White sat behind the equipment for a few of Earth, Wind & Hearth’s most profitable songs, together with “Shining Star,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 in Could 1975. He additionally scored prime 10 hits with “Let’s Groove,” “September,” “Sing a Tune,” “After the Love Has Gone,” “Boogie Wonderland” and others.
White left Earth, Wind & Hearth within the mid-Nineteen Eighties, however he returned for the band’s Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame induction in 2000.
Throughout his profession, White additionally lent his drumming abilities to recordings for Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, Deniece Williams, the Feelings, Ramsey Lewis, Jennifer Holliday, and Diana Ross. Most just lately, he collaborated with Ross on her 2021 album, Thank You.
Verdine White’s tribute put up drew a slew of responses from fellow musicians, together with Questlove, Lenny Kravitz and Nile Rodgers.
“Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the household,” Kravitz commented. “I used to be blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A real king. Relaxation in energy.
See Verdine White’s tribute to his brother Fred on Instagram right here.
