Maurice White | |
|---|---|
 White performing in 1982 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1941-12-19)December 19, 1941 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 2016(2016-02-04) (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1962–2016 |
| Labels | |
| Website | mauricewhite |
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 bandEarth, Wind & Fire, also serving as the band's co-lead singer withPhilip Bailey.[1][2]
Described as a "visionary" byVibe and a "mastermind" byVariety,[3][4] White was nominated for a total of 22Grammys, of which he won seven.[5] He was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame and theVocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire,[6][7] and was also inducted individually into theSongwriters Hall of Fame.[1] White also worked with musical acts such asDeniece Williams,Cher,The Emotions,Barbra Streisand,Ramsey Lewis, andNeil Diamond.[1]
Maurice White was born inMemphis, Tennessee, on December 19, 1941.[8] He grew up inSouth Memphis, where he lived with his grandmother in the Foote Homes Projects and was a childhood friend ofBooker T. Jones andDavid Porter.[9] Along with Jones, White formed a "cookin' little band" while attendingBooker T. Washington High School. He also made frequent trips to Chicago to visit his mother, Edna, and stepfather, Verdine Adams, who was a doctor and occasional saxophonist.[10][11] During his teenage years, White moved to Chicago where he studied at theChicago Conservatory of Music, and played drums in local nightclubs. In 1962 he joined The Jazzmen, a student jazz trio atCrane Junior College inChicago, Illinois formed byLouis Satterfield on trombone, Charles Handy on trumpet, andDon Myrick on alto saxophone. The Jazzmen later becamethe Pharaohs.[12] Satterfield, White, and Handy became studio musicians atChess Records in Chicago. At Chess, he played the drums on records ofEtta James,Chuck Berry,Rotary Connection,Betty Everett andJunior Wells. Along with the likes ofSonny Stitt,Muddy Waters,the Impressions,the Dells,Willie Dixon,Sugar Pie DeSanto andBuddy Guy.[13][14] White also played the drums onFontella Bass's "Rescue Me" (with Satterfield on bass),Billy Stewart's, "Summertime",Betty Everett'sYou're No Good andLittle Milton'sWe're Gonna Make It".[15][16]
In June 1966, he left Chess and the Pharaohs to join theRamsey Lewis Trio, replacing Isaac "Red" Holt as the group's drummer.[17] Holt and bassist Eldee Young left to formYoung-Holt Unlimited. Young was also replaced byCleveland Eaton.[18] As a member of the Trio, Maurice first played on 1966'sWade in the Water. A song from that album called "Hold It Right There" won aGrammy Award forBest Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. White later played the drums on 1966'sThe Movie Album along with 1967'sDancing in the Street andGoin' Latin. He also performed on the Trio's 1968 LPsUp Pops Ramsey Lewis,Mother Nature's Son andMaiden 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 albumAnother Voyage, marks the first recording of White playing the kalimba.[19][11][20]
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 withCapitol Records and called themselves the Salty Peppers. They had a moderate hit in theMidwest area with their single "La La Time",[21] 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.[21]
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 and illustrious bands of all time. With the group winning six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations.[22] As well being bestowed with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame and fourAmerican Music Awards.[1] What's more, the group's albums have collectively sold over 90 million copies worldwide.[1] Maurice was also inducted, with the band, into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame, theVocal Group Hall of Fame,The Songwriters Hall of Fame andThe NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.[1]
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 thekalimba being brought into wider circles by incorporating its sound into the band's music.[20] He was also responsible for the inclusion of a full horn section, at first, thePhenix Horns and later on theEarth, 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.[23]
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 asSteven Tyler ofAerosmith,Boyz II Men,Smokey Robinson,Isaac Hayes,Michael Jackson,Eric Clapton andTom Morello ofRage Against the Machine posted complimentary messages. Other noted artists who posted messages wereBrian McKnight,Al Jarreau,Kenny G,Seal,Chick Corea,Carly Simon andDionne Warwick.[24]
Along with the band White notably performed at the2002 BET Awards and the2004 Grammy Awards' Tribute to Funk. As well as upon stage, with EW&F and special guestAlicia Keys, atClive Davis' 2004 pre-Grammy party where they all sang"September".[25][26][27]
In May 1976, White &Charles Stepney were co-producingDeniece Williams' debut albumThis Is Niecy when Stepney died unexpectedly during the sessions. Maurice finished producing the LP himself, which was released in August 1976 onColumbia Records. Williams was a former backup vocalist forStevie Wonder's band Wonderlove. The album was the first for Kalimba Productions, a production company also established by White and Stepney in 1976.[28]This Is Niecy rose to No. 3 on the USBillboardTop Soul Albums and No. 33 on the USBillboard 200 charts.[29][30] A song off the LP called "Free" got to No. 25 on the USBillboardHot 100, No. 2 on the USBillboardHot Soul Songs chart and No. 1 on theUK Pop Singles chart.[31][32][33]This Is Niecy has also been certified Gold in the US by theRIAA and Silver in the UK by theBPI.[34][35]
Maurice also produced Williams' sophomore albumSongbird, released in 1977.[36] The album rose to No. 23 on the USBillboardTop Soul Albums chart and No. 5 on the UKBlues & Soul Top British Soul Albums chart.[37][38] A single entitled "Baby, Baby My Love's All for You" got to No. 13 on the USBillboardHot Soul Songs chart, No. 5 on the UKBlues & Soul Top British Soul Singles chart and No. 32 on theUK Pop Singles chart.[33][39][40]
Williams later issued 1978'sThat's What Friends Are For on Columbia records for Kalimba Productions. She then released 1979'sWhen Love Comes Calling onARC Records, Maurice's subsidiary label on Columbia. Maurice featured as a guest artist on the LP,[41] which peaked at No. 27 on theUS BillboardTop Soul Albums chart.[42] The single, "I've Got the Next Dance", also reached No. 1 on theBillboardDance Club Play chart.[43]
Williams thereafter issued two studio albums, being 1981'sMy Melody and 1982'sNiecy on ARC Records.[44][45] 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."[28]
AfterStax Records became embroiled in financial problems, the girl groupthe Emotions looked for a new contract and found one with Columbia Records. With Charles Stepney co-producing with White, their third studio album entitledFlowers was issued in 1976.[46] The album got to No. 5 on theBillboardTop Soul albums chart.[47]Flowers has also been certifiedGold in the US by theRIAA.[48]
The album'stitle track got to No. 16 on theBillboardHot Soul Songs chart.[49] Another single being "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" got to Nos. 4 & 13 on theBillboardDance Club Songs andHot Soul Songs charts respectively.[50][51]
Following Charles Stepney's sudden death from a heart attack in May 1976,[28] White took over producing the Emotions. During 1977 the group issued their follow up albumRejoice. The album reached No. 1 on theBillboardTop R&B Albums chart and No. 7 on theBillboard 200 chart.Rejoice has also been certifiedPlatinum in the US by theRIAA.
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.[52][53] "Best of My Love" won aGrammy forBest R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals,[54] and an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. "Best of My Love" has also been certifiedPlatinum in the US by theRIAA.
In 1978 The Emotions released their third Columbia album,Sunbeam.[55] The album rose to No. 12 on theBillboardTop Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on theBillboard 200 chart.[56][57] An album cut called "Smile" reached No. 6 on theBillboardHot Soul Songs chart.Sunbeam has been certifiedGold in the US by theRIAA.[58] The Emotions also received anAmerican Music Award nomination in 1978 for Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group.[59]
During 1979 Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with the Emotions on the single "Boogie Wonderland". The song reached No. 6 on theBillboardHot 100 chart and No. 2 on theBillboardHot Soul Songs chart. "Boogie Wonderland" has also been certifiedGold in the US by theRIAA. White produced the girl group's 1979 LPCome into Our World which was released on his own Columbia imprintARC Records.[60] The album rose to No. 35 on theBillboardTop Soul Albums chart. A song from the LP called "What's the Name of Your Love?" also rose to No. 30 in theBillboardHot R&B Songs chart.[61][62] White went on to beGrammy nominated in the category ofProducer of the Year Non-Classical.[5]
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 theBillboardAdult R&B Songs chart and No. 25 on theBillboardAdult Contemporary Songs chart. This track featured upon EWF's 2003 albumThe Promise which was also produced by Maurice White.[63][64][65]
White also worked with several other famous recording artists. He played the drums on poetShel Silverstein's album,Drain My Brain. White also played the drums on former Rotary Connection lead singerMinnie Riperton's 1970 debut album,Come to My Garden.[66][67] White later co-produced Ramsey Lewis' 1974 albumSun Goddess. That album reached No. 1 on theBillboardTop Soul Albums chart and No. 12 on theBillboard Top Pop Albums chart.[68]Sun Goddess has also been certifiedGold in the US by theRIAA.[69]AlongsideCharles Stepney he also produced Lewis' 1976 LPSalongo. The album rose to No. 7 on theBillboardJazz Albums & No. 17 on theBillboardTop Soul Albums charts.[68]
White composed a song called Tahiti Hut withEumir Deodato on his 1978 studio albumLove Island.[70] That album got to No. 20 on theBillboardJazz Albums charts.[71] White later served as the executive producer of the R&B bandPockets' albumTake It On Up released in 1978 on Columbia.[72] That album reached No. 22 on theBillboardTop R&B Albums chart.[73] A duet with Deniece Williams called And Then featured onWeather Report's 1978 albumMr. Gone.That album was released on ARC Records, Maurice's subsidiary label at Columbia.[74][75] Mr. Gone rose to No. 1 on theBillboardJazz Albums chart.[76]Weather Report's follow up albums8:30,Night Passage andWeather Report were also released on ARC/Columbia.[75]
White then appeared as a guest artist on Ramsey Lewis' 1980 LPRoutes and gospel artistWalter Hawkins' 1980 Grammy nominated albumThe Hawkins Family.[77][78][79] He also wrote a song called Only In Chicago withBarry Manilow on his 1980 albumBarry. That album was certifiedPlatinum in the US by theRIAA[80][81] He also appeared as a guest artist onthe Tubes' 1983 albumOutside Inside.[82]White later producedJennifer Holliday's Grammy nominated 1983 LPFeel My Soul.[83][84]
White went on to co-produceBarbra Streisand on her 1984 albumEmotion.[85]Emotion has been certified Platinum in the US by theRIAA.[86] He also produced on Ramsey Lewis' 1985 albumFantasy. That album reached No. 13 on theCashboxJazz Albums chart.[87][88]He also appeared as a guest artist onLee Ritenour's Grammy nominated 1986 albumEarth Run.[89][90] White later co-produced withLenny WhitePieces of a Dream's 1986 albumJoyride. This reached No. 3 on theBillboardTraditional Jazz Albums chart and No. 18 on the BillboardTop Soul Albums chart.[91][92][93]
White also produced onNeil Diamond's 1986 albumHeaded for the Future. This album has been certified Gold in the US by theRIAA.[94][95] He worked as a producer withAtlantic Starr on the band's 1987 LPAll in the Name of Love.[96] The album has been certified Platinum in the US by theRIAA.[97] He then appeared a guest artist onCher's 1987self-titled LP. That album has been certified Platinum in the US by theRIAA.[98][99] As well he performed as a percussionist and co-produced on Ramsey Lewis's 1987 albumKeys to the City. That album got to No. 22 on theBillboardTop Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.[68][100] White co-wrote a tune entitled "Can't Sit Down" upon jazz guitaristStanley Jordan's 1988 albumFlying Home.[101] Alongside singerEl DeBarge, he co-produced, his 1992 albumIn The Storm.[102] The album got to No. 22 on theBlues & Soul Top UK Soul Albums chart.[103]
White collaborated with the Japanese bandDreams Come True on two songs. "Wherever You Are" from their 1994 albumDelicious, and "Eternity", which appeared on the soundtrack for the 1994 animated filmThe Swan Princess.
As well he produced on Ramsey Lewis's 1993 albumSky Islands.[104] That album rose to No. 4 on theBillboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 6 on theBillboard Top Jazz Albums chart.[68] He also appeared as a guest artist onMarcus Miller's 1993 albumThe Sun Don't Lie.[105] That album rose to No. 10 on theBillboardJazz Albums chart.[106]White went on to produce the debut album of jazz groupUrban Knights released in 1995 byGRP Records.Urban Knights I featured Ramsey Lewis, percussionistOmar Hakim, trumpeterFreddie Hubbard, The Emotions and saxophonistGrover Washington, Jr. That album rose to No. 5 on the USBillboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 9 on theUK Jazz & Blues Albums chart.[107][108][109]He also made a guest appearance on a song called Midnite by British R&B groupD'Influence's 1995 albumPrayer 4 Unity. "Midnite" reached No. 11 on theUK R&B Singles chart and No. 24 on theUK Dance Singles chart.[110][111]During 1996 White launched his own record label dubbedKalimba Records.[112][113]
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 guitaristJonathan Butler and jazz saxophonistNajee. The album got to No. 7 on the USBillboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 24 on theUK Jazz & Blues Albums chart.[114][115][116] White also arranged on British girl groupCleopatra's 1998 albumComin' Atcha!.Comin' Atcha peaked at number 20 on the UK Pop albums chart and was certified Silver in the UK by theBPI.[117][118][119]
White co-produced saxophonistPaul Taylor's 2000 albumUndercover. The album peaked at No. 3 on the USBillboardTop Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and at No. 27 on the USBillboardTop Independent Albums chart.[120][121][122] He also appeared as a guest artist on Jazz saxophonistKirk Whalum's 2003 albumInto My Soul.[123] As well White collaborated with French jazz bandNojazz on tunes "Nobody Else" and "Kool" from their 2006 albumHave Fun. "Kool" marked the first time White performed with his friendStevie Wonder on record.[124]
White later executively produced an EWFtribute album entitledInterpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 2007 byStax Records. The album rose to no. 28 on theBillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On the LP were featured artists such asChaka Khan,Musiq Soulchild,Mint Condition,Kirk Franklin andAngie Stone. Kirk Franklin's cover of "September" reached No. 17 on theBillboardAdult R&B Songs chart and No. 26 on theBillboardHot Gospel Songs chart. As wellDwele's remake of "That's The Way Of The World" andMeshell Ndegeocello's cover of "Fantasy" were bothGrammy nominated forBest Urban/Alternative Performance.[125][126][127][128][129][130]
He then executively produced jazz musicianBrian Culbertson's albumBringing Back The Funk, released in 2008 onGRP Records.Bringing Back the Funk rose to No. 3 on theBillboardJazz Albums chart and No. 18 on theTop R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[131][132][133] This album featured guest artists such asRay Parker Jr.,Sheldon Reynolds,Bootsy Collins,Larry Graham,Ledisi,Ronnie Laws,Musiq Soulchild,Bernie Worrell,Maceo Parker,Larry Dunn andGerald Albright. A song from the album called "Always Remember" got to No. 1 on theBillboardSmooth Jazz Songs chart.[134][135][136] 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."[134]Maurice also co-wrote a tune called "Eye to Eye", that eventually appeared on British soul singerJaki Graham's 2018 albumWhen a Woman Loves.[137]
During 1985, White released aself titled solo album on Columbia.Robin Denselow ofThe Guardian called the album a "lush collection of self produced dance tracks, and the occasional ballad, with synths and drum programming immaculately in place, and the vocals as classy as ever".J.D. Considine ofMusician also said the "Given his status as Earth, Wind & Fire's Shining Star, it comes as no surprise that White's first solo project sounds a lot like classic EW&F: tight, focused and punchy. But while White remembers to sink a hook into every verse and chorus, the emphasis here is on subtlety and sophistication as he works his way from R&B basics, from the studio mechanics of 'Switch on Your Radio' to the modifieddoo wop of 'Stand by Me', with a sense of craft that makes slickness irrelevant".[138][139][140]
The album rose to number 12 on theBillboardTop Soul Albums chart. A cover ofBen E. King's "Stand by Me", feat. jazz saxophonistGerald Albright got to No. 6 on theBillboardHot Soul Singles and No. 11 on theBillboardAdult Contemporary Songs chart.[141][142][143]
Another single from the album called "I Need You" rose to No. 20 on theBillboardAdult Contemporary Songs chart and No. 30 on theBillboardHot Soul Singles chart.[144][145]
In 2019, an album of previously unreleased recordings, titledManifestation, was released. This album consists of selected tracks worked on by White and songwriter/producerPreston Glass over a period of nearly 30 years.[146]
White wrote and produced songs for the feature filmsComing to America,A Low Down Dirty Shame, andGatchaman OVA. He also composed music for the television seriesLife Is Wild.[147] During 2006 he worked withGregory Hines' brother,Maurice on the Broadway playHot Feet. White andAllee Willis also wrote several new songs for the play.[148]
In the movieBAADASSSSS!, the actorKhalil Kain portrayed a young Maurice White leading the early incarnation of Earth, Wind & Fire. Released at the2004 Sundance Film Festival, the film was based onMelvin Van Peebles' struggles to film and distribute the movieSweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. His son,Mario Van Peebles both directed the film and portrayed his father in the lead role.[149][150] White also won anASCAP Award as a composer of "That's The Way Of The World", with it being a theme song of the sitcomHearts Afire.[151][152]
White was a married father of three children: one daughter, Hemeya and two sons, Kahbran and Eden. He owned two homes in California, one inCarmel Valley and the other a four-level condominium inLos Angeles. He was a fan of basketball and tennis. He went by the nickname of "Reese".[10][153][154] His younger half-brother,Verdine White, an original member of Earth, Wind & Fire, still tours with the band as its bassist and a backing vocalist.[155] Another brother by the name ofFred White, was a member of EW&F from 1971 to 1984.[156]
On the morning of February 4, 2016, White died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home from the effects ofParkinson's disease, at the age of 74.[157][158][159] His brother Verdine said, "My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep. 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."[160]
Along with EW&F, Maurice White was posthumously bestowed with aGrammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the annualGrammy Awards ceremony on February 15, 2016, at theStaples Center,Los Angeles, California. At the ceremonyStevie Wonder andPentatonix performed a rendition of "That's the Way of the World" in tribute to White.[161]
Artists such asStokley Williams,Richard Marx,Raphael Saadiq,Larry Blackmon, andNate Dogg have also named White as an influence.[162][163][164][165][166]
TheGrammy Awards are awarded annually by theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. White received seven Grammys from 22 nominations.[5]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Earth, Wind & Fire | Best Instrumental Composition | Nominated |
| Best of My Love | Best Rhythm & Blues Song | Nominated | |
| 1978 | Got to Get You into My Life | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | Won |
| Fantasy | Best R&B Song | Nominated | |
| 1979 | Maurice White | Producer of the Year | Nominated |
On September 13, 2016, White's autobiography,Maurice White: My Life With Earth, Wind & Fire, by Maurice White and Herb Powell, was released. The book featured a foreword bySteve Harvey and an afterword byDavid Foster.[175] Maurice White: My Life With Earth, Wind & Fire was also nominated for anNAACP Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work, Biography/Auto-Biography.[176]
