Sunday, the 1st of January, saw the death of Fred White – former drummer with funk, disco and R&B legends Earth Wind & Fire.
Fred White in 1979. Photo credit: Rob Verhorst/Redferns
Vedrine White’s (the band’s bass player and Fred White’s brother) statement reads:
“Dearest Family Friends and Fans. Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene “Freddie” White. He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup.
But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted! He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!!
We thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time.
Soar high baby bro, we love you to the shining 
and back!“
and back!“
Born Frederick Eugene Adams, Fred White was born on the 13th of January 1955 in Chicago, IL. He began playing the drums at the age of 9 and did his first professional recording session as a drummer at 14.
He is the drummer behind such Earth Wind & Fire classics as “September“, “Boogie Wonderland“, “Let’s Groove“, “Shining Star“, “That’s the Way of the World“, “After the Love Has Gone“, “Got To Get You Into My Life” [Beatles’ cover] or “Fantasy“.
Outside of EW&F, White collaborated with the likes of: Donny Hathaway, Little Feat, Linda Ronstadt, Deniece Williams, The Emotions and Ramsey Lewis.
Fred White passed away just 12 days before his 68th birthday.
