Fred White, the man that kept the beat for one of the best-selling bands of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire — which has sold over 90 million records and won six Grammy Awards in its 50-plus years of existence — has died at the age of 67.
His brother and fellow bandmate Verdine White, the group's bassist, shared the news of the drummer's death Sunday on Instagram.
"Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene 'Freddie' White," he captioned a series of images of Fred playing the drums and posing with the other members of the group.
A cause of death for the percussionist was not given.
Founded in Chicago in 1969 by Fred's older brother, co-lead singer and chief songwriter Maurice White (who died in 2016), Earth, Wind & Fire has been recognized as one of the most important bands of its era. Rolling Stone declared it the band that "changed the sound of black pop."
In 2000, the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Fred as a member.
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