Fred White, one of many two drummers for soul group Earth Wind & Hearth throughout probably the most profitable decade in its historical past, 1974-84, died Monday at age 67. No explanation for dying was given.
White was a part of a household legacy on the ensemble’s core, because the brother of Verdine White and half-brother of Maurice White. Though lengthy since departed from the group, in 2000 he was inducted with different core members into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame.
Moreover enjoying on basic EWF albums beginning with “That’s the Manner of the World” in 1975 on by way of “Electrical Universe” in 1983, White additionally performed drums on Seventies albums by artists together with Little Feat, Donny Hathaway, the Feelings and Deniece Williams.
The dying was introduced by Verdine White on Instagram. “Dearest Household Mates and Followers….. Our household is saddened at this time with the lack of a tremendous and proficient member of the family, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” wrote Verdine. “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Youngster protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold information on the younger age of 16 years previous! He was brother quantity 4 within the household lineup. However greater than that at residence and past he was the fantastic bro that was all the time entertaining and delightfully mischievous!”
Continued Verdine White in his put up, “And we may all the time rely on him to make a seemingly dangerous scenario extra mild hearted! He’ll stay in our hearts ceaselessly, relaxation in energy beloved Freddie!! We thanks all in your love, blessings and help presently. Soar excessive child bro, we love you to the shining [stars] and again!”
Another musical giants weighed in with responses on Verdine’s put up. “Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the household,” wrote Lenny Kravitz. “I used to be blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A real king. Relaxation in energy.” Wrote Nile Rodgers, “Deepest condolences, love and respect.” “Love,” responded Questlove, merely.
The present version of Earth Wind & Hearth consists of three members from the basic ’70s lineup: Verdine White on bass, Philip Bailey on vocals and Ralph Johnson on drums and percussion. Maurice White, the band’s chief, died in 2016. One other member from that key interval, sax participant Andrew Woolfolk, died in April 2022.
Johnson shared drumming duties with Fred White throughout their decade-long tenure within the band collectively. “Having two drummers onstage was key to the band’s large sound,” wrote Drum journal.
Given Fred White’s younger age in comparison with the band’s longevity, it could come as no shock that the drummer entered music full-time as a teen, assembly Hathaway at 15 and happening tour with him. That stint resulted in White’s presence on “Donny Hathaway Stay,” thought-about one of many important stay albums of the soul period, earlier than he ever joined his brothers in EWF.
On Instagram, the official EWF account shared a video of White doing a drum solo “throughout our efficiency of ‘Runnin’,’ throughout our Tour of the World in 1979, at Rockpalast in Essen, Germany. Relaxation in love.” Beneath that preliminary put up, Verdine White apologized for having it function the primary announcement of his brother’s dying. “Mates and followers, sorry this info was posted earlier than I may make an official assertion,” wrote Verdine there. “Sure we’re all grieving the loss particularly Fred’s household. Thanks in your love, blessings and condolences.”
