Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White dies aged 74

After White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the 1980s, he continued to tour with the band but stopped performing in 1995 due to health problems. During the late 70s-early 80s, they produced a string of global hits, including Kalimba Story (1974), Shining Star and That’s The Way Of The World (1975), Fantasy and September (1978), Boogie Wonderland and After The Love Has Gone (1979), Let’s Groove (1981), among others.

His brother, group bassist Verdine White, confirmed the sad news on Twitter and Facebook, posting a striking picture of his brother in front of the pyramids at Giza in Egypt.

The nine-piece band featured Maurice and Verdine White, singer Philip Bailey, and arguably one of the greatest amalgam of horn players ever assembled. The band, which has sold more than 90 million albums worldwide, is set to be honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Grammy Awards on February 15.

As a singer and songwriter, White was behind some of the group’s biggest hits, bolstered by the stellar vocal and writing talents of bandmate Phillip Bailey.

The large band was known for its elaborate stage shows that included lightshows, fireworks and elaborate dance moves.

White was born in Memphis in 1941, the son of a doctor and grandson of a New Orleans honky-tonk pianist. He started singing gospel from a young age, studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music as a percussion scholar and got his start as a professional working with such greats as Etta James, Muddy Waters, the Impressions and Buddy Guy, according to The Root website. He joined Ramsey Lewis’s trio and then in 1969 formed the Salty Peppers with friends Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead. EWF scored its first top 10 hit on the R&B charts with “Mighty Mighty” off the “Open Our Eyes” album. After moving to Los Angeles, he found more success when the band was renamed Earth, Wind & Fire.