REMEMBERING FRED: Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White passes away at 67

Renzo Fuentes

January 6, 2023

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  Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns

  On Sunday, January 1, 2023 – the 67-year-old drummer for the disco band Earth, Wind & Fire Fred White passed on. White was behind the beats for hits “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Shining Star,” and most importantly – the ever-iconic “September.”

   

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  A post shared by Earth, Wind & Fire (@earthwindandfire)

  Bandmate, bassist, and brother Verdine White, his brother, and bandmate announced his passing in a post on Instagram:

   

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  A post shared by Verdine White (@verdine_white)

  He paid tribute to “an amazing and talented family member;” “But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous.”

  Fred White’s cause of death remains undisclosed.

  Remembering Fred White

   

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  A post shared by Earth, Wind & Fire (@earthwindandfire)

  On January 13, 1955, Frederick Eugene Adams was born in Chicago. He was born to housewife Edna and podiatrist Verdine, Sr. He also shared the same mother as Maurice. Fred started drumming professionally at age 9 – Maurice referred to him as a “child prodigy.”

  He began drumming for musicians like Marilyn “Kitty” Hayward, Simtec & Wylie, Pieces of Peace, and Albertina Walker – to name a few, before he joined Earth, Wind, and Fire.

  Just when you hear the first few bars from their music, you’ll feel getting up from your seats to groove! From the mid-’70s to early ‘80s, they were able to produce anthems for weddings, high school reunions, or any function where people of all walks dance.

  American vocalists Donny Hathaway and Jennifer Holliday also used him in their songs.

  In 2000, he and other Earth, Wind & Fire bandmates were honored into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

  You will always be remembered, Fred White! Rest easy.

  Take a look back at the Percussion Legend’s career through his great works here:

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