Verdine White facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Verdine White
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White in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Verdine Adams Jr. |
| Born | July 25, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Associated acts | Earth, Wind & Fire, Level 42, The Emotions, Deniece Williams, Ramsey Lewis, Jennifer Lopez, DJ Cassidy, Busty and Bass, Robin Thicke, Meghan Trainor |
Verdine White (born Verdine Adams Jr. on July 25, 1951) is an American musician. He is famous for being a founding member and bass player for the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire. Many people consider him one of the best bassists ever. Rolling Stone magazine even ranked him among the top 50 bass players of all time.
Contents
Verdine's Early Life
Verdine Adams Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 25, 1951. His dad, Verdine Sr., was a doctor who also played the saxophone. Verdine grew up listening to amazing jazz musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
He was also inspired by other artists like Cleveland Eaton and The Beatles. The popular Motown sound also influenced him. His two older brothers, Fred and Maurice, were drummers. When Verdine was 15, he saw a double bass in his high school orchestra. He decided right then that he wanted to play the bass.
Learning to Play Bass
Verdine soon got a red electric bass. His brother Maurice and his father gave him good advice. He took private lessons from Radi Velah of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He learned a special method for playing the double bass.
On weekends, he learned the electric bass with Louis Satterfield. Louis was a session bassist for Chess Records. He later joined Earth, Wind & Fire's famous horn section, The Phenix Horns. Verdine says Louis Satterfield taught him everything about the bass guitar. Some of his early bass heroes were James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and Gary Karr.
Verdine started playing a Fender Telecaster Bass instead of the upright bass. He began performing in Chicago clubs with local bands. Meanwhile, his brother Maurice, a former drummer, had formed a group called the Salty Peppers. They had a local hit song.
In early 1970, Maurice moved to Los Angeles. He wanted to record his group, which he had renamed Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice called Verdine and asked him to join. Verdine agreed and arrived in Los Angeles on June 6, 1970.
Verdine's Music Career
With Earth, Wind & Fire
Verdine White has been the bass player for Earth, Wind & Fire since the band started. The band has achieved many amazing things. They have won six Grammy Awards and received two special Grammy honors. They have also been nominated for Grammys eighteen times.
The band is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are also in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Earth, Wind & Fire has earned over 50 gold and platinum albums. They have sold more than 90 million albums worldwide.
In November 2008, Verdine received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Bass Player magazine. This award recognized his long and successful career. On July 2, 2020, Rolling Stone Australia Magazine ranked White number 19 on their list of "The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time."
Solo Music Project
On December 19, 2024, Verdine White released his first solo song. It is called "Superman." He released it to honor his late brother, Maurice White, who founded Earth, Wind & Fire. Verdine co-wrote the song with Motown songwriter Janie Bradford and Carnell Harrell.
Verdine's wife, Shelly Clark, produced the song. She was a member of the 70s group Honey Cone. This was Verdine's first time singing lead vocals on a song. Other Honey Cone members sang background vocals. Earth, Wind & Fire's drummer, John Paris, created all the musical arrangements.
As a Songwriter
Verdine White has written many songs. His first songwriting credits were on Earth, Wind & Fire's first album. He helped write "C'mon Children" and "Bad Tune." He also co-wrote three songs on their third album, Last Days and Time.
On their fifth album, Open Our Eyes, Verdine co-wrote "Mighty, Mighty" with his brother Maurice. This song became a top 5 R&B/Soul hit. They also co-wrote "Kalimba Story", which was a top 10 R&B/Soul hit. These songs helped the album become a number 1 hit on Billboard's Soul Album Chart. Verdine also co-wrote other big hits like "That's the Way of the World".
Verdine's songs have been used in many places. You can hear them in commercials, movie soundtracks, and television shows.
Other Important Work
Helping Others Through Music
Verdine White is a co-founder of the Verdine White Foundation. This foundation helps provide music education to talented students who might not otherwise afford it. In 2007, he was also inducted into the Boys and Girls Club's Alumni Hall of Fame.
Verdine also started a non-profit organization called The Verdine White Performing Arts Center (VWPAC). It is located in Los Angeles and was founded in 2010. VWPAC helps students become great artists and confident people. It gives them a complete performing arts education.
Writing Books
In 1978, Verdine White co-wrote a book with Louis Satterfield. The book is called Playing the Bass Guitar.
Verdine's Personal Life
Verdine White lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Shelly Clark. They have been married for over 40 years. Shelly was also a member of the R&B groups The Ikettes and Honey Cone. Verdine and Shelly have a son and a granddaughter.
Verdine also has a twin sister named Geraldine. He is the younger half-brother of Maurice White, who founded Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice passed away in 2016. Verdine is also the older brother of drummer Fred White, who passed away in 2023. Fred played drums for Earth, Wind & Fire from 1974 to 1984. Their brother Monte White, who passed away in 2020, was the group's tour manager.
Discography
Solo Project
- 2024 Verdine White: "Superman" – (Co-writer, Lead vocals and bass)
As a Backing Musician and Producer
Verdine White has played bass or produced music for many other artists. Here are some of them:
- 1974 Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess – (bass, vocals)
- 1976 The Emotions: Flowers – (bass)
- 1976 Deniece Williams: This Is Niecy – (bass)
- 1977 Pockets: Come Go With Us – (producer)
- 1983 Level 42: Standing in the Light – (producer)
- 2002 Jennifer Lopez: This Is Me... Then – (bass)
- 2012 Solange: True – (bass)
- 2015 Flo Rida: I Don't Like It, I Love It – (bass)
- 2017 Kelly Clarkson: Meaning of Life – (bass)
- 2023 Victoria Monet: Jaguar II – (bass)
Awards and Honors
RIAA Awards
The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) gives awards for album and single sales.
Multi-Platinum Albums
- 1975 - That's The Way Of The World
- 1975 - Gratitude
- 1976 - Spirit
Platinum Albums
- 1973 - Head To The Sky
- 1974 - Open Our Eyes
- 1981 - Raise!
Gold Albums
- 1980 - Faces
- 1983 - Powerlight
- 1987 - Touch The World
- 1988 - The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. II
- 2003 - The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire
Gold Singles
- 1975 - "Shining Star"
- 1975 - "Singasong"
- 1976 - "Getaway"
- 1978 - "September"
- 1978 - "Got To Get You Into My Life"
- 1979 - "Boogie Wonderland"
- 1979 - "After The Love Has Gone"
- 1981 - "Let's Groove"
Inductions and Special Honors
- 1995 - Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame
- 2000 - Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
- 2003 - Inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk
- 2003 - Inducted into The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame
- 2010 - Songwriters Hall Of Fame
- 2012 - Beacon of Change award at the Beacon Awards Banquet
- 2019 - Kennedy Center Honors
- 2016 - Induction into The Soul Music Hall of Fame.
- 2021 - Mayor John Hamilton declared February 1, 2021, "Verdine White and Shelly Clark Day" in Bloomington, Indiana.
Grammy Awards
- 2016 - Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2008 - GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, "Shining Star"
- 2004 - NARAS Signature Governors Award
- 1982 - Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, "Wanna Be With You"
- 1979 - Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus, "After The Love Has Gone"
- 1979 - Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Boogie Wonderland"
- 1978 - Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus, "All 'n All"
- 1978 - Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Runnin'"
- 1975 - Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus, "Shining Star"
American Music Awards
- 1976 - Favorite Band, Duo Or Group - Soul/Rhythm & Blues
- 1977 - Favorite Band, Duo Or Group- Soul/Rhythm & Blues
- 1978 - Favorite Band, Duo Or Group- Soul/Rhythm & Blues
- 1980 - Favorite Band, Duo Or Group- Soul/Rhythm & Blues
Other Awards
- 1994 - NAACP Hall Of Fame Image Award
- 2002 - BET Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2002 - ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award
- 2002 - TV Land's Entertainer Award
- 2002 - The Daniel L. Stephenson Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music
- 2008 - Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2008 - Honorary Doctorates in the arts from Columbia College in Chicago
See also
In Spanish: Verdine White para niños
