Feb 4, 2016, 06:05 PM EST | Updated Feb 5, 2016. Maurice White, the founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. White was 74. "My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," Verdine White said in a statement on Earth, Wind & Fire's Facebook The musician's death was announced on Instagram by Earth, Wind & Fire lead vocalist Philip Bailey on April 25, 2022. According to Bailey's post, Woolfolk had been battling an illness for several years before his death, though there was no elaboration on what that illness was. "Great memories. Philip Bailey, the lead singer of the R&B band Earth, Wind, and Fire, revealed that his famous lover was pregnant at the same time his ex-wife was. The man released a book titled “Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire.”. In it, Philip remarked that at some point during his career, he became an absentee father and husband Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) was the brainchild of Chicago musician Maurice White and was founded in 1969. Prominent members have included Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Robert Brookins, Sonny Emory, Fred Ravel, Ronnie Laws, Sheldon Reynolds, and Andrew Woolfolk. As you probably already know, Verdine White is the brother of his band mate, and founder of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Maurice White (pictured 3rd in above pic), as well as the brother EW&F member, Fred White (second from left in below photo). Their parents had a total of 10 children! In an interview with The Associated Press in 2000, White said he wanted the band’s music to inspire instead of just entertain. “That was the whole objective, to try to inspire young people to Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died, the band and his brother Verdine announced Sunday. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer musician, born in Chicago as Frederick Eugene Adams, was 67. Adams Click through to take a look back at Earth, Wind & Fire's highest charting songs following the passing of founding member Maurice White, who died Wednesday at age 74. "Boogie Wonderland": sAP1WJ.

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