Music

R.I.P. Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire (1941-2016)

by Jesse Locke

Maurice White, founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, passed away in his sleep on the morning of February 4. The wide-smiling leader of the radiant soul-funk band lost a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Earth, Wind & Fire are celebrated for their string of 1970s hits such as “September”, “Boogie Wonderland”, “Shining Star”, and “After the Love has Gone.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, while White was individually recognized by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. The group are also set to receive a 2016 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Proving their connection to a new generation of fans and musicians, the band invited Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper to join them onstage at the 2015 Bonnarroo Music Festival.

Tributes and accolades have now begun pouring in. Maurice’s brother and bandmate Verdine White called him “a consummate perfectionist” while Roots drummer Questlove called Earth, Wind & Fire “the Black Floyd or the Black Beatles to Pfunk’s Stones.”