CNN
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Fred White, a drummer for classic ’70s supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire, has died, according to an Instagram post by his older brother and former bandmate, Verdine White. He was 67 years old.
Verdine White wrote on Instagram Sunday, “Our family is saddened today by the loss of an incredible and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White.”
Verdine White called her brother a “protected child” and identified him as an “original” founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire “with gold records at the young age of 16”.
“But more than that,” Verdine White continued, “at home and beyond, he was the wonderful brother who was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous!”
Details on the cause of death were not immediately available. CNN has reached out to representatives for the group.
The band’s official Instagram account also posted a memorial tribute to Fred White, sharing a clip of a drum solo during the Earth, Wind & Fire world tour at Rockpalast in Essen, Germany in 1979.
Philip Bailey, one of the original singers of Earth, Wind & Fire, also posted in honor of Fred White, sharing an image celebrating the band’s double Grammy win in 1980.
“We will miss you, Freddie,” he wrote.
Before officially joining Earth, Wind & Fire, Fred White toured and played drums as a child for Donny Hathaway, performing on his “Live” album.
With the band, Fred White won six Grammys and was nominated a total of 13 times, taking home trophies for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for their 1979 track “Boogie Wonderland” as well as the same award for 1977’s “Runnin’.”
In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Earth, Wind & Fire took jazz, soul, gospel, pop and more and wrapped them in a psychedelic, mystical package,” says the music institution’s introduction to the induction. band. “Few bands were as innovative and beloved by critics and audiences alike as EW&F.”
The Hall of Fame also described how the band “solidified the growth of black album music in the ’70s,” recounting how Earth, Wind & Fire scored six consecutive double-platinum albums and became the band of Best-selling R&B of all time from Columbia Records.
Most recently, Fred White worked on Diana Ross’ 2021 album “Thank You.”
