White was 67
Fred White, who drummed for Earth Wind & Fire during the group’s heyday in the 70s and 80s, has died at the age of 67. His brother and bandmate, Verdine White, shared the news on social media on New Year’s Day, stating he was found dead.
“Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” he shares. “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!”
He continues, “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 [star] and back!”
The band also acknowledged White’s passing with an “in memoriam” post featuring a video of White soloing in 1979.
“In memoriam: Fred White, 1955-2022. Seen here soloing during our performance of Runnin’, during our Tour of the World in 1979, at Rockpalast in Essen, Germany. Rest in love,” they share on Instagram.
White joined Earth Wind & Fire in 1974 after playing with Donny Hathaway before finishing high school. He was featured on some of the band’s biggest hits, including the Grammy-winning “Shining Star,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1975, “Let’s Groove,” which spent five weeks at No. 3 in 1981, “September,” “Sing a Song,” “Boogie Wonderland” and others.
White left the R&B group in the mid-80s, but rejoined his bandmates on drums for their 2000 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.
The drummer, who was born in Chicago in 1955, was also a hired studio musician, drumming on albums for Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, Jennifer Holliday and others. He also sang on albums with Diana Ross and Bonnie Raitt.
