R.I.P. Maurice White, founder of Earth, Wind and Fire - WXPN | Vinyl At Heart
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Maurice White performing with Earth, Wind, and Fire at the Ahoy Rotterdam, 1982 | Photo by Chris Hakkens | via Creative Commons

Maurice White – the singer, songwriter and founding member of funk-soul legends Earth Wind and Fire– passed away at age 74, according to numerous news reports and confirmed by a post on the band’s Facebook page.

Written by EW&F bassist Verdine White, it says:

My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep. While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.

White has been battling Parkinson’s since the 1990s, and the band decided in 1994 to stop touring. During its heyday, White was the primary creative force behind EW&F and sang alongside lead vocalist Philip Bailey.

The band will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Grammy Awards on February 15th, according to Variety. Below, revisit some of their popular favorites.

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