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Iconic Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died age 67.
Fred's brother and bandmate Verdine White wrote in an Instagram post that announced Fred’s passing, telling fans: “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 went on to say that Freddie was now "with the angles! and listed some of his musical accomplishments.
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"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!’
The lengthy statement continued, as he thanked fans for their love and support.
"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 [stars] and back!"
White was a drum prodigy, touring with the likes of Donny Hathaway before finishing high school and joining his siblings in Earth, Wind & Fire before his 20th birthday.
The band’s commercial heyday began a year later with Shining Star, a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
With a mix of rousing ballads and body-moving soul, Earth, Wind & Fire became pop figureheads of the disco era.
Songs like 1976’s Saturday Nite established the band as a transatlantic success even before September and Boogie Wonderland caused international sensations later in the decade.
White left the group in the early 1980s but returned for their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2000. He continued to sing with artists including Diana Ross and Bonnie Raitt, most recently on Ross’ 2021 comeback album.
Fans and friends paid tribute to the star, with Lenny Kravitz writing: "Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the family.
"I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A true king. Rest in power."
One person wrote: "Sending so much love to your family."
The news of Fred's death comes almost a year after the band's saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk died at the age of 71.
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