Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies aged 67 | Soul

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died aged 67.

The news was shared by his brother and teammate Verdine White on Sunday in an Instagram post. He paid tribute to the “incredible and talented” musician, “now drumming with the angels!”

Verdine White wrote: “Dear family, friends and fans…Our family is saddened today by the loss of an incredible and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White.

“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in paradise and now plays the drum with the angels! Protected child, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16! He was brother number 4 in the family.

“But more than that at home and beyond, he was the wonderful brother who was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation easier!

He added: “He will live on in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!! We all thank you for your love, blessings and support at this time. Fly high baby brother we love you until the end [stars] and back!”

Born Frederick Eugene Adams in Chicago in 1955, Fred White toured with Donny Hathaway and played drums on Hathaway’s Live album, released in 1972.

He joined Verdine and their brother Maurice in Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974, playing on hits such as September and Shining Star.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Lenny Kravitz was among those who paid tribute. Under Verdine White’s message, he wrote: ‘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 real king. Rest in power.