Maurice White facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maurice White
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White performing in 1979
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| Background information | |
| Born | December 19, 1941 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 2016 (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1962–2016 |
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Maurice White (born December 19, 1941 – died February 4, 2016) was an American singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He was most famous as the founder and leader of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. He also wrote many of their songs and produced their music. Maurice White was a co-lead singer for the band, sharing duties with Philip Bailey.
People called White a "visionary" and a "mastermind" because of his talent. He was nominated for 22 Grammys and won seven of them. He was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame with Earth, Wind & Fire. He was also added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame on his own. Maurice White worked with many other artists too, like Deniece Williams, Cher, The Emotions, and Neil Diamond.
Biography
Maurice White's Early Music Career
Maurice White was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 19, 1941. He grew up in South Memphis and was friends with future musicians like Booker T. Jones. In high school, he even formed a small band. He often visited his mother in Chicago, where he later moved.
In Chicago, Maurice studied music and played drums in clubs. In 1962, he joined a jazz trio called The Jazzmen. This group later became known as the Pharaohs. Maurice and his bandmates also became studio musicians at Chess Records. A studio musician plays instruments on recordings for other artists.
While at Chess Records, Maurice played drums for many famous artists. These included Etta James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Jackie Wilson. He played on hits like Fontella Bass's "Rescue Me" and Jackie Wilson's "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher".
In 1966, Maurice left Chess Records to join the Ramsey Lewis Trio as their drummer. With this group, he played on several albums. One album, Wade in the Water, helped them win a Grammy Award. While with the Trio, Maurice discovered the kalimba, an African thumb piano. He first recorded the kalimba on the Trio's 1969 album, Another Voyage.
In 1969, Maurice left the Trio and formed a songwriting team called the Salty Peppers. They had a small hit called "La La Time." Maurice then moved to Los Angeles and changed the band's name to Earth, Wind & Fire. This new name came from the elements in his astrological chart.
Leading Earth, Wind & Fire
Maurice White was the bandleader and producer for most of Earth, Wind & Fire's albums. Under his leadership, the band became legendary. They won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. Their albums have sold over 90 million copies around the world.
The band also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Maurice and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Maurice also helped make the kalimba popular by using its unique sound in Earth, Wind & Fire's music. He also added a full horn section to the band.
After 1994, Maurice stopped touring regularly with the band. However, he still controlled the band's music and produced their albums. He also worked with other artists. Maurice later shared that he was living with Parkinson's disease. Many famous musicians, like Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton, sent him messages of support.
Maurice occasionally performed with Earth, Wind & Fire. He appeared at the 2004 Grammy Awards Tribute to Funk. He also performed their hit song "September" with Alicia Keys at a special party.
Producing for Deniece Williams
Maurice White also helped produce the debut album for singer Deniece Williams, called This Is Niecy. He started a production company called Kalimba Productions with Charles Stepney. After Stepney passed away, Maurice finished producing the album.
This Is Niecy was very successful, reaching high spots on the music charts. A song from the album, "Free", became a big hit in the US and reached number one in the UK. The album also sold enough copies to be certified Gold in the US.
Maurice continued to produce Deniece Williams's next albums, including Songbird and When Love Comes Calling. He even appeared as a guest artist on some of her songs. Deniece Williams later said that Maurice taught her a lot about the music business.
Working with The Emotions
Maurice White also worked closely with the girl group the Emotions. After their previous record label had problems, they signed with Columbia Records. Maurice co-produced their album Flowers in 1976. This album was very popular and was certified Gold.
After Charles Stepney's death, Maurice took over producing the Emotions' music. Their next album, Rejoice, was a huge success. It reached number one on the R&B charts and was certified Platinum.
This album included the hit song "Best of My Love". This song reached number one on both the Pop and R&B charts. It also won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. In 1979, Earth, Wind & Fire and the Emotions teamed up for the hit song "Boogie Wonderland". Maurice produced this song and was nominated for a Grammy for Producer of the Year.
Other Musical Collaborations
Maurice White worked with many other famous artists throughout his career. He played drums on Minnie Riperton's first album, Come to My Garden, in 1970. He also produced Ramsey Lewis's 1974 album Sun Goddess, which was very successful.
Maurice also composed music for Eumir Deodato's album Love Island. He was an executive producer for the R&B band Pockets' album Take It On Up. Maurice even appeared as a guest artist on Weather Report's album Mr. Gone.
He produced albums for Jennifer Holliday and Barbra Streisand. He also worked with Neil Diamond on his album Headed for the Future. Maurice also made a guest appearance on Cher's 1987 album. He collaborated with the Japanese band Dreams Come True on two songs.
In 1996, Maurice White started his own record label called Kalimba Records. He continued to produce music for various artists, including the jazz group Urban Knights. He also worked with saxophonists Paul Taylor and Kirk Whalum.
Maurice was the executive producer for a tribute album to Earth, Wind & Fire in 2007. This album, called Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire, featured artists like Chaka Khan and Musiq Soulchild. He also produced Brian Culbertson's album Bringing Back The Funk in 2008.
Maurice White's Solo Music
In 1985, Maurice White released his own solo album, simply called Maurice White. Critics praised the album for its smooth dance tracks and beautiful ballads. It showed his skill in combining different music styles.
The album included his cover of Ben E. King's famous song "Stand by Me". Maurice's version of "Stand by Me" became a hit on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. Another song from the album, "I Need You", also did well on the charts.
In 2019, an album of his unreleased songs, called Manifestation, was released. These songs were created by Maurice and producer Preston Glass over many years.
Work in Movies and Theater
Maurice White also wrote and produced songs for movies. These included "Coming to America" and "A Low Down Dirty Shame". He also created music for the TV show Life Is Wild.
In 2006, he worked on the Broadway play Hot Feet with Maurice Hines. Maurice White and Allee Willis wrote new songs for the play. The movie BAADASSSSS! showed a young Maurice White leading an early version of Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice also won an ASCAP Award for composing "That's The Way Of The World", which was a theme song for a TV show.
Personal Life
Maurice White was married and had three children: a daughter named Hemeya and two sons named Kahbran and Eden. He owned two homes in California. He enjoyed basketball and tennis. His nickname was "Reese."
His younger half-brother, Verdine White, is an original member of Earth, Wind & Fire and still plays bass with the band. Their brother Fred also joined the band in 1974.
Death
Maurice White passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 4, 2016, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 74 years old. He died from the effects of Parkinson's disease. His brother Verdine shared the sad news, asking for privacy for their family.
Legacy
After his death, Maurice White and Earth, Wind & Fire received a special Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honored his incredible contributions to music. At the Grammy Awards ceremony in 2016, Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix performed a tribute to Maurice.
Many artists have said that Maurice White influenced their music. These include Stokley Williams, Richard Marx, and Nate Dogg.
Awards and Honors
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are given out every year by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the United States. Maurice White won seven Grammys out of 22 nominations.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
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| 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 |
Other Awards
- Four American Music Awards
- The BET Lifetime Achievement Award
- An ASCAP Rhythm And Soul Award
- An ASCAP Pop Music Award
- Three NAACP Image Awards
- An ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Heritage Award
- A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jazz Foundation of America
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame
- A Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
- In 2005, he received the Cultural Achievement Award Of Excellence from Los Angeles Valley College.
- In 2008, Maurice White and Philip Bailey received honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music.
- In 2008, Maurice, Phillip Bailey, Ralph Johnson, and Verdine White received honorary doctorates from Columbia College of Chicago.
Autobiography
Maurice White's autobiography, Maurice White: My Life With Earth, Wind & Fire, was released on September 13, 2016. He wrote it with Herb Powell. The book includes introductions by Steve Harvey and David Foster.
See also
In Spanish: Maurice White para niños
- Albums produced by Maurice White
