Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies at 67

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died, the band and his brother Verdine announced on Sunday.

The Chicago-born Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Frederick Eugene Adams was 67.

Adams joined brother Verdine White and half-brother Maurice White in Earth, Wind & Fire as a teenager in 1974, playing drums for the band until the mid-1980s.

“Our family is saddened today by the loss of an incredible and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” Verdine wrote in a tribute on Instagram. “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!”

No additional details about Adams’ death have been revealed. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for the band for more information.

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He bragged about his brother’s legacy, calling him a “protected child” at just 16.

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

He ended the tribute: “Soar high baby bro, we love you till shiny ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and back!”

Lenny Kravitz commented: “I send 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.”

Earth, Wind & Fire also shared a tribute on Instagram, posting a video of Adams performing a drum solo during their 1979 Round the World stopover in Essen, Germany. “Rest in love,” the band wrote.

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Adams’ time with Earth, Wind & Fire resulted in multiple award-winning hits such as “September”, “Shining Star” and “Boogie Wonderland”.

Prior to joining the band, he established himself on drums with Donny Hathaway, Howdy Moon and Little Feat. He also continued to play drums for other artists with Earth, Wind & Fire including Deniece Williams, the Emotions and Ramsey Lewis.

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