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, vocals, percussions |
| 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 Adams White (born Verdine Adams Jr.; July 25, 1951) is an American musician. He is best known as a founding member and bassist for the famous band Earth, Wind & Fire. Rolling Stone magazine named White one of the 50 greatest bassists of all time. He is known for his energetic stage presence and unique bass playing style.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Verdine Adams Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 25, 1951. His father was a doctor who also played the saxophone. Verdine grew up listening to jazz music from artists like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He was also inspired by the Motown sound and his older brothers, Fred and Maurice, who were drummers.
When he was 15, Verdine saw a double bass in his high school orchestra. He decided right then that he wanted to play the bass guitar. He soon got a red electric bass. Following advice from his brother Maurice and his father, he took private lessons. He learned from Radi Velah of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also learned electric bass from Louis Satterfield, a bassist who later joined Earth, Wind & Fire. Verdine says Louis Satterfield taught him everything about the bass guitar.
Verdine started playing in clubs around Chicago. Meanwhile, his brother Maurice, who was a drummer, formed a band called the Salty Peppers. This band later became Earth, Wind & Fire. In 1970, Maurice asked Verdine to join the new band. Verdine moved to Los Angeles and became a key part of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Verdine White and Earth, Wind & Fire
Verdine White has been the bassist for Earth, Wind & Fire since the band started. The band has achieved amazing success. They have won six Grammy Awards and received two special honoree Grammys. They have also been nominated for Grammys eighteen times.
Earth, Wind & Fire is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are also in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The band has sold over 90 million albums worldwide. Many of their albums have gone gold or platinum.
In 2008, Bass Player magazine gave Verdine White a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized his long and successful career as a bassist. In 2020, Rolling Stone Australia magazine ranked him among the top 50 bassists of all time.
In December 2024, Verdine White released his first solo song. It is called "Superman." He made this song to honor his late brother, Maurice White, who founded Earth, Wind & Fire. Verdine sang lead vocals on the song for the first time.
Verdine White as a Songwriter
Verdine White has helped write many songs for Earth, Wind & Fire. His songwriting credits go back to the band's very first album. He co-wrote songs like "C'mon Children" and "Bad Tune."
He also helped write some of the band's biggest hits. These include "Mighty, Mighty" and "Kalimba Story." These songs helped their album Open Our Eyes become a number one hit on the Soul Album Chart. He also co-wrote the famous song "That's the Way of the World."
Verdine's songs have been used in commercials, movies, and TV shows.
Helping Others Through Music
Verdine White cares about helping young people. He is a co-founder and director of the Verdine White Foundation. This foundation helps provide music education to talented students who might not otherwise afford it.
In 2007, he was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club's Alumni Hall of Fame. This recognized his positive impact on the community.
He also founded The Verdine White Performing Arts Center (VWPAC) in Los Angeles in 2010. This center helps students develop their artistic skills. It encourages them to become confident artists and people.
Author and Personal Life
In 1978, Verdine White co-wrote a book. It was called "Playing the Bass Guitar." He wrote it with Louis Satterfield, his former bass teacher.
Verdine White lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Shelly Clark. She was a member of the 70s R&B groups The Ikettes and Honey Cone. They have been married for over 40 years. They 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 Fred White, who was a drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire. Fred passed away in 2023. Another brother, Monte White, was the band's tour manager.
Discography Highlights
Solo Project
- 2024: "Superman" - (Verdine White: Co-writer, Lead vocals and bass)
With Earth, Wind & Fire
Verdine White has played bass on all of Earth, Wind & Fire's albums. The band has released many successful albums and singles.
- Further information: Earth, Wind & Fire discography
Working with Other Artists
Verdine White has also played bass or helped produce music for many other artists. Here are a few examples:
- 1974: Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess - (bass, vocals)
- 1976: Jennifer Lopez: This Is Me... Then - (bass)
- 2015: Flo Rida: I Don't Like It, I Love It - (bass)
- 2017: Kelly Clarkson: Meaning of Life - (bass)
Major Achievements and Awards
Verdine White and Earth, Wind & Fire have received many honors for their music.
Music Industry Awards
- Grammy Awards: Verdine White has won several Grammy Awards with Earth, Wind & Fire. These include awards for Best R&B Performance. Their song "Shining Star" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- American Music Awards: The band won Favorite Band, Duo, or Group in Soul/Rhythm & Blues multiple times.
- RIAA Awards: Many of their albums and singles have sold millions of copies, earning Multi-Platinum, Platinum, and Gold awards.
Inductions and Special Honors
- 1995: Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame
- 2000: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
- 2003: Inducted into The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame
- 2010: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame
- 2019: Kennedy Center Honors
- 2008: Received the Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2008: Received an Honorary Doctorate degree in the arts from Columbia College in Chicago.
- 2016: Inducted into The Soul Music Hall of Fame.
- 2021: February 1st was proclaimed "Verdine White and Shelly Clark Day" in Bloomington, Indiana.
See also
In Spanish: Verdine White para niños
