Maurice White

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Maurice White
Maurice White in Munich, Germany in 1975
Maurice White in Munich, Germany in 1975
Background information
Born December 19, 1941 (1941-12-19) (age 66)
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genre(s) Soul, funk, R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, musician, record producer
Years active 1966–1995
Associated acts Earth, Wind & Fire
Website www.mauricewhite.biz

Maurice White (born December 19, 1941) is an American soul, funk, and R&B singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and bandleader. White is best known for founding and fronting the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire, and has also been pivotal in the careers of groups such as The Emotions.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early career

Born in South Memphis, Maurice White attended Tennessee State University, where he was a member of the school's marching band. He moved to Chicago, Illinois and began his music career as a session drummer for Chess Records. Around 1966 he became the drummer for The Ramsey Lewis Trio.

In 1969 Maurice left The Ramsey Lewis Trio, and joined two friends, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, to form a songwriting team which wrote songs for commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol Records, and called themselves The Salty Peppers; they had a marginal hit in the Midwestern area with their single "La La Time". The Salty Peppers' second single, "Uh Huh Yeah", didn't fare as well, and Maurice decided it was time for a change of location, and a change in the band's name, which became Earth, Wind & Fire.

[edit] Earth, Wind & Fire

White moved the band to Los Angeles in 1970, and added a number of new members, making the band a ten-piece. Two of White's brothers joined at this time: bassist Verdine and drummer Fred. They experienced success with fifteen hit singles and twenty-six gold and platinum albums.[citation needed]

Maurice White is responsible for incorporating the sound of the kalimba (a thumb piano of African origin) and the Phoenix Horns (comprised of Louis Satterfield, Rahmlee Michael Davis, Michael Harris and Don Myrick) into the music of Earth, Wind & Fire.

White has produced many famous recording artists, including Barbra Streisand, The Emotions, Ramsey Lewis, Jennifer Holliday, The Tubes, Deniece Williams, and Neil Diamond. He also worked with many Japanese and international artists, such as Charito and Urban Knights together with Ramsey Lewis.

He released a solo album in 1985, entitled Maurice White.

[edit] Later life

In the late 1990s White was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 1995, Maurice White decided to retire from touring, but he is very much active and busy in the music business, producing other new artists.

Maurice White's next album project Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire was released in March 2007, featuring renowned artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Chaka Khan, Kirk Franklin, Mint Condition, Ledisi and Angie Stone. White also worked with Gregory Hines' brother, Maurice Hines (in 2006) to release the Broadway Play Hot Feet featuring the music of Earth Wind & Fire. White also wrote several new pieces along with Allee Willis.

[edit] External links