Loading details…
Loading details…
Artist
Maurice White (born December 19, 1941; died February 3, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger and bandleader. He was the founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire and the older brother of current and former Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine White and Fred White respectively. White served as the band's main songwriter and record producer, and was co-lead singer (along with Phillip Bailey). White has won seven Grammys, and was nominated for Grammys 21 times in total. White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and he was individually inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also known by his nickname Reese, he has worked with several famous recording artists such as Deniece Williams, The Emotions, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond. White was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the late 1980s, which led him to stop touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994. However, White retained executive control of the band, and remained active in the music business. White produced many famous artists, including Barbra Streisand, The Emotions, Ramsey Lewis, Jennifer Holliday, The Tubes, Deniece Williams, and Neil Diamond. He also worked with many Japanese and international artists, such as Charito and Urban Knightstogether with Ramsey Lewis. In 1985, White released a solo album entitled Maurice White that included a cover of Ben E. King's "Stand by Me," featuring a guest ap