Background and career
Maurice White (December 19, 1941 – February 4, 2016) was an American musician, best known as the founder, leader, main songwriter and chief producer of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, also serving as the band's co-lead singer with Philip Bailey. Described as a "visionary" by Vibe and a "mastermind" by Variety, White was nominated for a total of 22 Grammys, of which he won seven. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and was also inducted individually into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. White also worked with musical acts such as Deniece Williams, Cher, The Emotions, Barbra Streisand, Ramsey Lewis, and Neil Diamond.
Maurice White was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 19, 1941. He grew up in South Memphis, where he lived with an elderly neighbor Mrs. Robinson in the Foote Homes Projects and was a childhood friend of Booker T. Jones and David Porter. Along with Jones, White formed a "cookin' little band" while attending Booker T. Washington High School. He also made frequent trips to Chicago to visit his mother, Edna Parker, and stepfather, Dr. Verdine Adams, who was a doctor and occasional saxophonist. During his teenage years, White moved to Chicago where he studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, and played drums in local nightclubs. In 1962 he joined The Jazzmen, a student jazz trio at Crane Junior College in Chicago, Illinois formed by Louis Satterfield on trombone, Charles Handy on trumpet, and Don Myrick on alto saxophone. The Jazzmen later became the Pharaohs. Satterfield, White, and Handy became studio musicians at Chess Records in Chicago. At Chess, he played the drums on records of Etta James, Chuck Berry, Rotary Connection, Betty Everett and Junior Wells. Along with the likes of Sonny Stitt, Muddy Waters, the Impressions, the Dells, Willie Dixon, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Buddy Guy. White also played the drums on Fontella Bass's "Rescue Me" (with Satterfield on bass), Billy Stewart's, "Summertime", Betty Everett's You're No Good and Little Milton's We're Gonna Make It". In June 1966, he left Chess and the Pharaohs to join the Ramsey Lewis Trio, replacing Isaac "Red" Holt as the group's drummer. Holt and bassist Eldee Young left to form Young-Holt Unlimited. Young was also replaced by Cleveland Eaton. As a member of the Trio, Maurice first played on 1966's Wade in the Water. A song from that album called "Hold It Right There" won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. White later played the drums on 1966's The Movie Album along with 1967's Dancing in the Street and Goin' Latin. He also performed on the Trio's 1968 LPs Up Pops Ramsey Lewis, Mother Nature's Son and Maiden Voyage. Around this time, he encountered the African thumb piano (kalimba), in a Chicago drum store. A tune entitled "Uhuru", from the Trio's 1969 album Another Voyage, marks the first recording of White playing the kalimba. In 1969, White joined his two friends, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, to form a songwriting team who wrote songs for commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol Records and called themselves the Salty Peppers. They had a moderate hit in the Midwest area with their single "La La Time", but their second single, "Uh Huh Yeah", was not as successful. White then left the trio, moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, and altered the name of the band to Earth, Wind & Fire. With the band's new name reflecting the elements in his own astrological chart.
Along with being the leader, Maurice also performed as co-lead singer and produced most of the group's albums. EWF eventually became one of the most acclaimed bands of all time, winning six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations. The group was bestowed with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and four American Music Awards. EWF's albums have collectively sold over 90 million copies worldwide. Maurice was also inducted, with the band, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Songwriters Hall of Fame and The NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. White brought a sense of eclecticism to the band's recordings, at the same time shaping their signature vibrant stage portrayals and crafting the vocal interplay between his tenor and Philip Bailey's falsetto. As a musician he aided the kalimba being brought into wider circles by incorporating its sound into the band's music. He was also responsible for the inclusion of a full horn section, at first, the Phenix Horns and later on the Earth, Wind & Fire Horns. During 1994 he halted his regular tours with the band, but still occasionally appeared on stage. White retained executive control of Earth, Wind and Fire and remained active in the music business as he produced and performed on EW&F and other musical artists' records. Prior to the band's 2000 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Maurice revealed an ongoing affliction with Parkinson's disease. A website entitled Startalk.org was also established a year earlier in his honor where artists such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine posted complimentary messages. Other noted artists who posted messages were Brian McKnight, Al Jarreau, Kenny G, Seal, Chick Corea, Carly Simon and Dionne Warwick. Along with the band White notably performed at the 2002 BET Awards and the 2004 Grammy Awards' Tribute to Funk. As well as upon stage, with EW&F and special guest Alicia Keys, at Clive Davis' 2004 pre-Grammy party where they all sang "September".
In May 1976, White & Charles Stepney were co-producing Deniece Williams' debut album This Is Niecy when Stepney died unexpectedly during the sessions. Maurice finished producing the LP himself, which was released in August 1976 on Columbia Records. Williams was a former backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder's band Wonderlove. The album was the first for Kalimba Productions, a production company also established by White and Stepney in 1976. This Is Niecy rose to No. 3 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums and No. 33 on the US Billboard 200 charts. A song off the LP called "Free" got to No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 1 on the UK Pop Singles chart. This Is Niecy has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA and Silver in the UK by the BPI. Maurice also produced Williams' sophomore album Songbird, released in 1977. The album rose to No. 23 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 5 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Albums chart. A single entitled "Baby, Baby My Love's All for You" got to No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart, No. 5 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles chart and No. 32 on the UK Pop Singles chart. Williams later issued 1978's That's What Friends Are For on Columbia records for Kalimba Productions. She then released 1979's When Love Comes Calling on ARC Records, Maurice's subsidiary label on Columbia. Maurice featured as a guest artist on the LP, which peaked at No. 27 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The single, "I've Got the Next Dance", also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Williams thereafter issued two studio albums, being 1981's My Melody and 1982's Niecy on ARC Records. She later revealed in a 2007 interview that she "loved working with Maurice White ... he taught me the business of music, and planning and executing a plan and executing a show."
After Stax Records became embroiled in financial problems, the girl group the Emotions looked for a new contract and found one with Columbia Records. With Charles Stepney co-producing with White, their third studio album entitled Flowers was issued in 1976. The album got to No. 5 on the Billboard Top Soul albums chart. Flowers has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. The album's title track got to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. Another single being "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" got to Nos. 4 & 13 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs and Hot Soul Songs charts respectively. Following Charles Stepney's sudden death from a heart attack in May 1976, White took over producing the Emotions. During 1977 the group issued their follow up album Rejoice. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rejoice has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. With the LP came the single "Don't Ask My Neighbors" which got to the top ten on the Billboard R&B singles charts. Another song, "Best of My Love", reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. "Best of My Love" won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, and an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. "Best of My Love" has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. In 1978 The Emotions released their third Columbia album, Sunbeam. The album rose to No. 12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. An album cut called "Smile" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. Sunbeam has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. The Emotions also received an American Music Award nomination in 1978 for Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group. During 1979 Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with the Emotions on the single "Boogie Wonderland". The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. "Boogie Wonderland" has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. White produced the girl group's 1979 LP Come into Our World which was released on his own Columbia imprint ARC Records. The album rose to No. 35 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. A song from the LP called "What's the Name of Your Love?" also rose to No. 30 in the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. White went on to be Grammy nominated in the category of Producer of the Year Non-Classical. The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 single "All in the Way". "All in the Way" rose to No. 13 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart. This track featured upon EWF's 2003 album The Promise which was also produced by Maurice White.
White also worked with several other famous recording artists. He played the drums on poet Shel Silverstein's album, Drain My Brain. White also played the drums on former Rotary Connection lead singer Minnie Riperton's 1970 debut album, Come to My Garden. White later co-produced Ramsey Lewis' 1974 album Sun Goddess. That album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 12 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Sun Goddess has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. Alongside Charles Stepney he also produced Lewis' 1976 LP Salongo. The album rose to No. 7 on the Billboard Jazz Albums & No. 17 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums charts. White composed a song called Tahiti Hut with Eumir Deodato on his 1978 studio album Love Island. That album got to No. 20 on the Billboard Jazz Albums charts. White later served as the executive producer of the R&B band Pockets' album Take It On Up released in 1978 on Columbia. That album reached No. 22 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. A duet with Deniece Williams called And Then featured on Weather Report's 1978 album Mr. Gone. That album was released on ARC Records, Maurice's subsidiary label at Columbia. Mr. Gone rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. Weather Report's follow up albums 8:30, Night Passage and Weather Report were also released on ARC/Columbia. White then appeared as a guest artist on Ramsey Lewis' 1980 LP Routes and gospel artist Walter Hawkins' 1980 Grammy nominated album The Hawkins Family. He also wrote a song called Only In Chicago with Barry Manilow on his 1980 album Barry. That album was certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA He also appeared as a guest artist on the Tubes' 1983 album Outside Inside. White later produced Jennifer Holliday's Grammy nominated 1983 LP Feel My Soul. White went on to co-produce Barbra Streisand on her 1984 album Emotion. Emotion has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. He also produced on Ramsey Lewis' 1985 album Fantasy. That album reached No. 13 on the Cashbox Jazz Albums chart. He also appeared as a guest artist on Lee Ritenour's Grammy nominated 1986 album Earth Run. White later co-produced with Lenny White Pieces of a Dream's 1986 album Joyride. This reached No. 3 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums chart and No. 18 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. White also produced on Neil Diamond's 1986 album Headed for the Future. This album has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. He worked as a producer with Atlantic Starr on the band's 1987 LP All in the Name of Love. The album has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. He then appeared a guest artist on Cher's 1987 self-titled LP. That album has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. As well he performed as a percussionist and co-produced on Ramsey Lewis's 1987 album Keys to the City. That album got to No. 22 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. White co-wrote a tune entitled "Can't Sit Down" upon jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan's 1988 album Flying Home. Alongside singer El DeBarge, he co-produced, his 1992 album In The Storm. The album got to No. 22 on the Blues & Soul Top UK Soul Albums chart. White collaborated with the Japanese band Dreams Come True on two songs. "Wherever You Are" from their 1994 album Delicious, and "Eternity", which appeared on the soundtrack for the 1994 animated film The Swan Princess. As well he produced on Ramsey Lewis's 1993 album Sky Islands. That album rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. He also appeared as a guest artist on Marcus Miller's 1993 album The Sun Don't Lie. That album rose to No. 10 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. White went on to produce the debut album of jazz group Urban Knights released in 1995 by GRP Records. Urban Knights I featured Ramsey Lewis, percussionist Omar Hakim, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, The Emotions and saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. That album rose to No. 5 on the US Billboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 9 on the UK Jazz & Blues Albums chart. He also made a guest appearance on a song called Midnite by British R&B group D'Influence's 1995 album Prayer 4 Unity. "Midnite" reached No. 11 on the UK R&B Singles chart and No. 24 on the UK Dance Singles chart. During 1996 White launched his own record label dubbed Kalimba Records. The Urban Knight's second album, Urban Knights II was again produced by Maurice. Urban Knights II featured artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Paulinho Da Costa, Verdine White, singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler and jazz saxophonist Najee. The album got to No. 7 on the US Billboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 24 on the UK Jazz & Blues Albums chart. White also arranged on British girl group Cleopatra's 1998 album Comin' Atcha!. Comin' Atcha peaked at number 20 on the UK Pop albums chart and was certified Silver in the UK by the BPI. White co-produced saxophonist Paul Taylor's 2000 album Undercover. The album peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and at No. 27 on the US Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. He also appeared as a guest artist on Jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum's 2003 album Into My Soul. As well White collaborated with French jazz band Nojazz on tunes "Nobody Else" and "Kool" from their 2006 album Have Fun. "Kool" marked the first time White performed with his friend Stevie Wonder on record. White later executively produced an EWF tribute album entitled Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 2007 by Stax Records. The album rose to no. 28 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On the LP were featured artists such as Chaka Khan, Musiq Soulchild, Mint Condition, Kirk Franklin and Angie Stone. Kirk Franklin's cover of "September" reached No. 17 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 26 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart. As well Dwele's remake of "That's The Way Of The World" and Meshell Ndegeocello's cover of "Fantasy" were both Grammy nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. He then executively produced jazz musician Brian Culbertson's album Bringing Back The Funk, released in 2008 on GRP Records. Bringing Back the Funk rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 18 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. This album featured guest artists such as Ray Parker Jr., Sheldon Reynolds, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Ledisi, Ronnie Laws, Musiq Soulchild, Bernie Worrell, Maceo Parker, Larry Dunn and Gerald Albright. A song from the album called "Always Remember" got to No. 1 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart. Culbertson revealed in an interview that he is "...still in disbelief. I have learned so much from (Maurice) and he actually said that he learned a lot from me. It was incredible to work with him." Maurice also co-wrote a tune called "Eye to Eye", that eventually appeared on British soul singer Jaki Graham's 2018 album When a Woman Loves.
