Adding to the already-mounting musician death toll, Maurice White succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease on Wednesday (February 3) after a decades-long battle.
The Earth, Wind and Fire founder, who wrote hits like “September,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “Shining Star,” won seven Grammy Awards during his illustrious career and was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the late 1980s and kept on touring in spite of his illness until 1994. White’s brother/bandmate Verdine posted via Facebook, “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.”
