The Chicago-born musician was part of the group's golden era, which included disco classics "September" and "Boogie Wonderland."
Fred White, the drummer of legendary US band Earth, Wind & Fire, has died aged 67.
The news was announced by White's brother and band member Verdine on Monday, January 1st. No cause of death was disclosed.
"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," the post read. "He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!"
A child drumming prodigy, Chicago-born White began touring with soul singer Donnie Hathaway in his mid-teens, before joining an early iteration of Earth, Wind & Fire known as The Salty Peppers. He officially joined the seminal band in 1974, and was part of its golden era, contributing to multiple hit albums and disco classics such as "September," "Let's Groove" and "Boogie Wonderland."
Although White left Earth, Wind & Fire in the early '80s, he'll nevertheless go down as one of the most sampled drummers of all time. Their music has been used by everyone from Kanye West, Young Thug, Three 6 Mafia and J Dilla to Boards Of Canada, Moodymann, Romanthony and Folamour.
Outside of Earth, Wind & Fire, White drummed for Motown artist Willie Hutch and Chicago soul group The Emotions among others, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
Read Verdine's post, and watch Earth, Wind & Fire performing "September" live in 1979.