Fred White, a drummer for classic ’70s super band Earth, Wind & Fire, died at 67 on Sunday. Let’s see more details about Fred White and his career journey in detail.
What happened to Fred White?
His brother and bandmate Verdine White announced via Instagram.
Dearest Family Friends and Fans… Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” Verdine, 71, captioned a carousel of photos of Fred and the band over the years.
“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte, and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! .”
Verdine went on to call Fred — who was one of the R&B group’s original nine members — a “child protégé … with gold records at the young age of 16 years old!”
“But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous!” Verdine made sure to add “brother number 4 in the family lineup .”
Verdine also noted that he and his family “could always count on [Fred] to make a seemingly bad situation lighter hearted.
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Fred’s Cause of death
Fred White has died at 67, his family announced but did not disclose the date of the drummer’s passing or the cause of death. At this point, it is unknown precisely what led to his death apart from the confirmation of his death and the exact cause of the death of Fred White was not released as well.
To learn more about Fred White’s death, we are attempting to get in touch with his friends and family. This section will be updated as soon as we learn any new information regarding the tragic event that brought many people to tears.
Who was Fred White ?
He was Born Frederick Eugene Adams in Chicago in 1955, Fred White began performing and touring with Donny Hathaway as a teenager, according to Stereogum. He played the drums on Hathaway’s “Live” album released in 1972.
In 1974, White joined Verdine and their half-brother Maurice White in Earth, Wind & Fire, playing on hits including “Shining Star,” “September,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” according to the music news outlet.
The band, which has its origins in Jazz, R&B, Funk, Disco, and Soul, went on to sell more than 90 million albums worldwide. Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, played the 2005 Super Bowl halftime show, and has six Grammys.
On November 20, 2019, I FINALLY had the honor and pleasure of meeting one of my drumming influences: Mr. Fred White.
Fred White was the drummer for @earthwindandfire . Fred White passed away last night. Rest in power and rhythm. You will be greatly missed. My condolences. pic.twitter.com/AOOnD14erY— FRANKLIN VANDERBILT (@FVanderbiltdrum) January 2, 2023
Career Journey
White left the band in the mid-1980s but returned for their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2000. Over the decades, Earth, Wind & Fire have won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards.
White also played drums on recordings for Bonnie Raitt, Donny Hathaway, Deniece Williams, and Diana Ross. He last appeared on Ross’ comeback album, “Thank You” which was released last year.
Discography
1969: La La Time – The Salty Peppers (tambourine) 1969: Mama’s Baby Ain’t A Baby No More Marilyn (Kitty) Hayward (drums) 1970: Do It Like Mama – Simtec & Wylie (drums) 1970: Pass It On – Pieces of Peace (drums) 1971: Mama Said Thank You – Albertina Walker (drums) 1972: ‘LIVE’ – Donny Hathaway (drums) 1973: Fully Exposed – Willie Hutch (drums) 1973: Extension Of A Man – Donny Hathaway (drums) 1974: Howdy Moon – Howdy Moon (drums) 1974: Caston & Majors (drums)
1974: Feats Don’t Fail Me Now – Little Feat (drums, songwriter) 1978 Sunbeam – The Emotions (drums) 1979: I AM – Earth, Wind & Fire (drums) 1980: Faces – Earth, Wind & Fire (drums) 1981: Raise! – Earth, Wind & Fire (drums) 1981: Blues For The Night Owl – Ramsey Lewis (percussion) 1983: Powerlight – Earth, Wind & Fire (drums) 1983: Feel My Soul – Jennifer Holliday (drums) 1983: Electric Universe – Earth, Wind & Fire (drums).
Social Media Tributes for Drummer
Meanwhile, a slew of celebrities responded to Verdine’s Instagram post, including rocker Lenny Kravitz. “Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the family. I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A true king. Rest in power,” Kravitz commented.
Fans of the band also chimed in with comments saying just how much White meant to them.
“I remember when, as a child, I used to take my mum’s pots and pans and turn them upside down and use them as drums,” one wrote. “he used to look in the album covers, looking at African-American Kings … I was so inspired. Mr. Fred White was the reason why I turned those pots and pans over.
“With so much love and respect, I sent my deepest condolences to you and your family,” the heartbroken fan continued. “May you rest in peace, Mr. Fred White.”
Rest in peace, Fred White,
member of Earth, Wind & Fire’s hit making original 9 and brother of founders Maurice and Verdine White.pic.twitter.com/f1GLJK1SMc— Daryl Huggins (@GeniusHugs) January 2, 2023
Earvin Magic Posted
RIP to my dear friend Fred White, a member of one of my all-time favorite musical groups Earth, Wind & Fire! My thoughts and prayers go out to his Earth, Wind & Fire bandmates, and his entire family.
Fred White, former drummer of Earth Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 67.
After getting his start drumming for Donny Hathaway, he joined his brothers Verdine and Maurice White in Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. pic.twitter.com/Eb7t5q6YDB— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) January 2, 2023
Eric Alper Posted
Fred White, the former drummer of Earth Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 67. After getting his start drumming for Donny Hathaway, he joined his brothers Verdine and Maurice White in Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
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