Maurice White, the founder of Earth, Wind and Fire, died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday. He was 74.
White's brother Verdine White, also a member of the band, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. The musician suffered Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with in the late 1980s, and rarely made public appearances after Earth, Wind and Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
"My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," Verdine told The Associated Press on Thursday. "While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes."
Maurice founded Earth, Wind and Fire in 1969 in Chicago. Their hits songs included "Shining Star," "That's the Way of the World" and "September." The band continued to tour without Maurice after his disease took hold.
He was born on December 1941 in Memphis, Tennesse. He grew up in South Memphis and moved to Chicago as a teenager. He worked at Chess Records as a session drummer and later played with the group Ramsey Lewis Trio before founding Earth, Wind and Fire.
