The most popular hits among the Fire & Wind Earth group from the 1970s to the 80s were disco and pop – September, Wonderland Boogie, Star Shining, and Let’s Groove. Fred White, the versatile and funky drummer who was 67 years old, has passed away.

Celebratory occasions and sports events, along with weddings, continue to be a staple today. The fresh sound of EW&F still sets records and captivates audiences with its catchy choruses, friendly dance-club rhythms, and dynamic vocals blended smoothly with Afro Latin, jazz funk, and soul. Fans affectionately refer to them as the music that emphasizes good times on the dancefloor, exuding unity, imagination, and joy.

Fred White changed his surname to Maurice to emphasize his fraternal relationship with bassist Verdine White, who joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974 after the band’s breakthrough fifth album, Head to the Sky (1973).

Since the age of 15, Maurice White has been described as a musical prodigy – “a prodigy,” as described by Donny Hathaway, who previously played on their 1974 album “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” with the rock band Little Feat.

Maurice, the boss initially, was a producer and songwriter, as well as a co-drummer and singer, who kept replacing members and changing record labels furiously, focusing solely on Verdine Bass. When he formed Earth, Wind & Fire in 1970, he brought along Ramsey Lewis, a jazz pianist, and had over a decade of experience as a drummer for Chess Records. Meanwhile, his name was derived from his astrological chart.

Maurice welcomed Fred to the band, recognizing his versatility in playing various styles. Earth, Wind & Fire proved to be a powerful group in terms of rhythm, as Maurice joined them on the drums for both live shows and recording sessions, alongside Ralph Johnson. With Fred on board, Maurice proudly declared that he had finally assembled the dream band he had always desired, consisting of eight talented musicians and a three-piece horn section.

He was one of the best for us when it came to doing things. As a drummer, he provided invaluable qualities, giving a strong and consistent tempo. Fred was as solid as a brick wall.

The Gratitude album, which was released a year later, sold more than 3 million copies in the US. Following the album’s release, the duo or group won the Grammy award for best R&B performance of the year and their single “Star” topped both the charts. Additionally, their album topped both the Soul and Billboard charts in the US. Initially conceived as a soundtrack to a forgettable film in 1975, The Way That’s Fred was the band’s first feature album.

While Fred’s live performances of their spectacular jazz-funk and disco pop music kept fans equally entertained, his drumming in the arenas would rise in the air, spinning around and turning upside down. From now on, Earth, Wind & Fire regularly placed their singles and albums in the UK charts, with their follow-up LP “The All ‘N All” reaching No. 17 in the charts. Their first break came through in the UK with the single “Saturday Nite” (1976), and their popularity continued to grow with the album “Spirit” (1977).

The Beatles’ cover of the song “Get Back” was a contribution to the 1978 film “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The anthem of funk, “Let’s Groove,” was released in 1981. The soulful ballad “After the Love Has Gone” was a dynamic September hit in 1978. The dancefloor favorite “Boogie Wonderland” featured the female vocal trio, The Emotions, in 1979. The band members, dressed in shiny outfits and platform boots, turned every concert into a party with their huge funk sound. The stage set involved pyramids, saucers flying, and a mix of science fiction and Egyptology, reflecting Maurice’s interest.

Johnson insisted that he be the sole drummer of the band, so percussion was shifted to him. Initially, he drummed alongside Johnson in 1977. As the youngest member of EW&F, White was both a troublemaker and a jester, infusing the band with his arrogance and energy. Soon after his older brothers entered the music industry, Fred, the son of Maurice and Edna from a previous marriage, took up the drums at the age of nine. Fred was the youngest of Edna’s three sons, with Verdine and Parker being the amateur saxophone player and doctor, respectively.

Earth, Wind & Fire continues to tour as the final original member, Verdine. Their popular songs are regularly heard on radio, television, and in movies, and they remain well-liked with sales of over 90 million albums and hundreds of millions of 45s, despite their declining popularity on the charts as musical preferences changed. In 2000, Fred, along with his siblings and six other bandmates, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After departing EW&F, he pursued a life outside of the public eye. Tensions within the band resulted in the bandleader announcing a break in 1984, and Fred was not asked to rejoin when they reunited in 1987, due to his stubborn behavior causing conflicts with Maurice.