Fred White, one of two drummers for Earth Wind & Fire during the most successful decade in its history, 1974-1984, died Monday at the age of 67. The cause of death was not mentioned.
White was part of a family legacy at the heart of the band, as brother of Verdine White and half-brother of Maurice White. Although he left the group long ago, in 2000 he was inducted along with other core members into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Besides playing on classic EWF albums beginning with “That’s the Way of the World” in 1975 through to “Electric Universe” in 1983, White also played drums on 1970s albums by artists including Little Feat, Donny Hathaway, The Emotions, Deniece Williams.
The death was announced by Verdine White on Instagram. Verden wrote: “Dear family friends and fans…..our family is grieving today the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddy’ White.” He joins our brothers Maurice, Monty and Ronald in Heaven and now he drums with the Angels! Foster child, member of EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16! Was brother #4 in the family lineup. But more than that on home and away He was a wonderful brother who was always so delightfully amusing and mischievous!”
Ferdinand White continued in his post, “And we can always count on him to make a situation that looks bad a little brighter! He will live in our hearts forever, resting in power beloved Freddy!! Thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time. Rising high baby brother, we We love you to flashing [stars] And return!”
Some other music giants weighed in on responses to Verdin’s post. “I send my love and deepest condolences to you and your family,” wrote Lenny Kravitz. “I was fortunate to be in his presence and blessed to be affected by him. A true king. Stay in power.” Nile Rodgers wrote, “My deepest condolences, love and respect.” “Love,” Questlove answered simply.
The current version of Earth Wind & Fire includes three members of the classic ’70s lineup: Verdine White on bass, Philip Bailey on vocals and Ralph Johnson on drums and percussion. Maurice White, the band’s leader, died in 2016.
Johnson shared drumming duties with Fred White during their decade-long stint in the band together. “Having two drummers on stage was key to the band’s big sound,” wrote Drum magazine.
Given Fred White’s young age compared to the band’s longevity, it may not be surprising that the drummer got into music full-time as a teenager, meeting Hathaway at age 15 and going on tour with him. This assignment resulted in White appearing on Donny Hathaway Live, considered one of the seminal live albums of the soul era, before he joined his brothers in EWF.
On Instagram, the official EWF account shared a video of White playing a drum solo “during our performance of ‘Runnin’, during our world tour in 1979, at the Rockpalast in Essen, Germany. Rest in love.” Under that initial post, Verdin White apologized for making it the first announcement of his brother’s death. “Friends and fans, sorry this information was released before I could make an official statement,” Verdin wrote there. “Yes, we all grieve the loss and especially Fareed’s family. Thank you for your love, blessings and condolences.”
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