Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies at 67: Lenny Kravitz posts a tribute

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died at the age of 67.

The sad news was shard by his 71-year-old brother Verdine White – who was a founder and bassist on Earth, Wind & Fire – on Sunday on social media.

Fred’s cause of death was not disclosed. 

The band Earth, Wind & Fire, which thrived during the 1970s and 1980s and continued to tour for decades afterwards, was responsible for the hit songs September, Shining Star and After The Love Is Gone.

Sad goodbye: One of the members of the 1970s band Earth, Wind & Fire – which was responsible for the hit songs September and After The Love Is Gone – has passed away. On Sunday it was posted that the eclectic band’s drummer Fred White had died at the age of 67

‘Dearest Family Friends and Fans….. Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene “Freddie” White,’ he wrote.

‘He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup,’ it was added.

White was called a ‘wonderful bro’ who was ‘always entertaining and delightfully mischievous!’

Then the note said: ‘And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted!’

The musician added: ‘He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!! We thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time. Soar high baby bro, we love you to the shining [stars] and back!’

Fred was born in Chicago and started touring as early as age 15 for a band called The Salty Peppers.

The Salty Peppers turned into Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974.

The band had a number of successes in the 1970s and the 1980s with one of their top songs being the up tempo dance hit Shining Star.

Lenny Kravitz shared a tribute on Instagram: ‘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 true king. Rest in power.’