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Category: Music Industry / Music / Music Awards

Funk legend Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire dies

Friday, 5 Feb 2016 12:23:07

Maurice White, who suffered for years from Parkinson's disease, died at his home in Los Angeles. (Reuters: Fred Prouser)

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, whose feel-good funk anthems packed arenas, broke down racial barriers and made him among his generation's best-selling artists, has died at the age of 74.

Brought up in Chicago, White saw himself as an heir to the jazz greats but developed a fresh sound of tight pop tunes that brought in elements of R&B, rock, soul and funk.

The band sold close to 100 million albums, ranking among the most successful acts of the 1970s, on the back of hits such as September, Shining Star, After the Love Has Gone and Boogie Wonderland.

External Link: Verdine White Facebook Post

White's death is the latest among a string of prominent musicians who have passed away since the start of 2016.

White, who suffered for years from Parkinson's disease, forcing him to stop touring, died at his home in Los Angeles, his brother and a representative for the band said.

"My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," his brother and band mate Verdine White wrote on Facebook.

"While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life-changing transition in our lives."

The band was one of the early acts to break the colour barrier in pop music, winning a white fan base while remaining favourites within the African-American community.

In 1979, the band became the first African-American act to sell out New York's Madison Square Garden, one of the most prestigious concert venues.

External Link: Earth, Wind & Fire's September

Voice of a generation

White formed Earth, Wind & Fire in Chicago in 1969 and quickly became known for his skill at song writing as he crafted readily danceable tunes that borrowed heavily from the city's R&B scene, but kept a concise structure in line with pop.

While never disappearing completely, Earth, Wind & Fire enjoyed a career resurgence after the election of President Barack Obama, who invited the band as one of the first entertainers when he entered the White House in 2009.

The Recording Academy, which has awarded White seven Grammys over his career out of 21 nominations, hailed his skills on stage and in the studio.

"His unerring instincts as a musician and showman helped propel the band to international stardom, influencing countless fellow musicians in the process," it said in a statement.

Earth, Wind & Fire had been due to receive a lifetime achievement Grammy in the coming months.

White also served as a producer for artists including Barbra Streisand, Chaka Khan and The Emotions, a three-woman R&B trio from Chicago.

External Link: Earth, Wind & Fire's Boogie Wonderland

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