Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire Dead

Maurice White, co-founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, died in his sleep Thursday morning ... TMZ has learned.

Maurice died in L.A. after a long battle with Parkinson's. He was diagnosed in 1992 and his condition deteriorated in recent months. The disease had progressed to the point he was forced to stop touring in with the band 1994.

The band had a string of hits, including "Shining Star," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," and "After the Love has Gone."

In 2000, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Maurice was individually inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010.

Maurice's brother, Verdine, is also a band member.

Although Maurice wasn't touring, he remained involved in the decisions involving the band.

Maurice was 74.

RIP



Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz3zF1lGDw0

 

wow... RIP.

Too many, too close together. And all in their mid 60s to mid 70s.

 

Wow. One of the greatest songwriters,producers and singers of all time. R.I.P. Maurice. Thank you for all of the wonderful and uplifting music over the years. You will be deeply missed.

 

A great musical mastermind of one of the most impressive, sophisticated and melodic ensembles of the seventies. also the world's most famous kalimba player.

I was lucky enough to see him in person performing with EW&F outdoors in NYC about 10 years ago, long after he had stopped touring with them regularly.

2016 has been a rough year for musical giants, and it won't be getting easier any time soon.

R.I.P.

 

Wow. One of the greatest songwriters,producers and singers of all time. R.I.P. Maurice. Thank you for all of the wonderful and uplifting music over the years. You will be deeply missed.

 

Sorry to hear that. He was part of the musical soundtrack of my youth.

RIP EWF.

 

One of my favourite bands. Very sad. R.I.P Maurice.

 

Sad news. What a fantastic writer, musician, singer and performer he was.
Thanks for lighting up my life Maurice!

 

Another legend passes! he sure was a "Shining Star".

Rick A.

 

Aww man, not another.


Never fails to move me, RIP Maurice.

 

I knew he was sick for a while. Still, it's been a rough year, and it's barely Feb. RIP

 

RIP. Sad news.

 

"Yesterday was all we had."

 

Oh, that's sad. A wonderful artist.

Never, never my darling, never you'll be alone
Ever forever my darling
True love is written in the stone

 

Very sad. Had the chance to interview him years ago. A nice guy and a great talent.

 

A Shining Star has returned to the heavens.

Very sad day for lovers of R&B. He was a huge talent. RIP

 

First we lose Starman and now we loss a Shining Star. Ugh. 2016 sucks!

 

Wow, what a loss. Huge talent, will be sadly missed. R.I.P.

 

RIP.

 

"All About Love" is all I'll say. One of my favorite vocal performances of Maurice.

 

Oh my! RIP Mr. White

 

Earth, Wind and Fire were one of the greatest live acts of our time... Maurice was central to that and their sound.

He may be gone, but damn this funks hard. Thank goodness we get to keep music, even after those who made it leave us.

 

R.I.P.

 

Starting to think that this party called 'life' is beginning to wind down.........