Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died, the band announced. He was 67.
“Dearest family friends and fans… Our family is saddened today,” his brother and Earth, Wind & Fire member Verdine White wrote on Instagram Sunday. “With the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother, Frederick Eugene “Freddie” White. He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!”
The post continued: “Protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold discs at the young age of 16! He was brother number 4 in the family constellation.”
“But beyond that he was home and beyond that the wonderful brother who was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to lighten up what seemed like a bad situation!” Verdine added.
STARS WE LOST IN 2022
Earth, Wind and Fire’s drummer Fred White has died, the band announced. He was 67. (Rob Verhorst/Redferns)
He concluded: “He will live in our hearts forever, rest in strength beloved Freddie!! Thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time. Get up baby brother we love you to the core [stars] and back!”
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
No cause of death was given.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Earth, Wind & Fire’s representative for comment.
Earth, Wind & Fire also paid tribute to Fred on their official Instagram page. “In memoriam: Fred White, 1955-2022,” the band wrote. “Seen here solo during our performance of Runnin’, during our 1979 Tour of the World, at the Rockpalast in Essen, Germany. Rest in love.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to Pitchfork, Fred toured with Donny Hathaway while he was still in high school and joined Earth, Wind & Fire before his 20th birthday and stayed with the band until the early 1980s. He was the band’s drummer on their hits like “Shining Star”.
In 2000, the drumming prodigy returned to the group for their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Mariah Haas is senior entertainment editor at Fox News Digital.