Earth, Wind & Fire Founder Dies

Maurice White, founder of legendary R&B-funk-soul band Earth, Wind & Fire, died on Wednesday, February 3, in his Los Angeles home. The bandleader and singer-songwriter was 74 years of age and passed away from declining health caused by Parkinsons disease, which he had battled since the early ’90s. White has seven GRAMMY wins and 21 nominations under his belt, and his band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. His brother Verdine White told the Associate Press on Thursday: “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.”