Fred White Dies: US drummer Fred E. White (born Frederick Eugene Adams on January 13, 1955; passed away on January 1, 2023) was born on this day in 1955. He joined the band in its infancy and was a founding member. He has previously contributed drumming to the Live album by Donny Hathaway.
As a member of Earth, Wind & Fire, Fred White was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, alongside his half-brother Maurice White, brother Verdine White, and other bandmates. White passed away on January 1, 2023, at 67 years and 7 months.
Earth, Wind & Fire Drummer Fred White Dies Aged At 67!
Verdine White, Fred White’s older brother and a former bandmate announced on Instagram that Fred White, a drummer for the famous ’70s superband Earth, Wind & Fire, has passed away. He was 67.
“Our family is grieved today with the passing of an outstanding and brilliant family member, our dear brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” Verdine White posted on Instagram on Sunday.
Verdine White has said that his younger brother, now 32, was a “child protégé” and an “original” founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire “with gold records at the early age of 16.” But, as Verdine White elaborated, “he was the lovely brother that was always amusing and delightfully mischievous!” both at home and beyond.
There was no instant information about the cause of death. CNN has attempted to contact the group’s managers. Earth, Wind, and Fire’s official Instagram page also paid respect to Fred White by posting a clip of a drum solo from the band’s 1979 performance at Rockpalast in Essen, Germany, as part of their Tour of the World.
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One of Earth, Wind & Fire’s original lead singers, Philip Bailey, also made a tribute post in Fred White’s honor by uploading a photo commemorating the band’s two Grammys from 1980. We shall never forget you, Freddie,” he penned.
Fred White played drums on Donny Hathaway’s “Live” album and accompanied him on tour as a youngster before he formally joined Earth, Wind & Fire. During his stint with the group, Fred White won six Grammys and was nominated for an additional thirteen.
He and the band won for best R&B instrumental performance for their 1979 song “Boogie Wonderland” and their 1977 song “Runnin’.” Earth, Wind, and Fire entered the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies at 67 🙏🕊️ pic.twitter.com/RCLMP24Qlb
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 2, 2023
According to the museum’s introduction, the band “combined jazz, soul, gospel, pop, and more and wrapped them in one psychedelic, magical package” when they were inducted. Only EW&F managed to be critically acclaimed and widely popular with their listeners and fans.
Additionally, the Hall of Fame noted that Earth, Wind & Fire “solidified the expansion of black album music in the Seventies,” as they sold over a million copies of their albums and were Columbia Records’ best-selling R&B act of all time with six consecutive double-platinum releases.
Recently, Fred White has contributed to “Thank You,” an album by Diana Ross that will be released in 2021. Please tell your friends about this if you think it’s interesting. Go to Lighthousejournal.org for the latest updates and news about celebrities.
Emma is a Master of Science candidate at the California Institute of Technology. Since approximately four years ago, she has been a freelance writer, producing content for newspapers, magazines, blogs, and the internet