Maurice White (born December 19, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger and bandleader. He is the founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire and the older brother of current and former Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine White and Fred White respectively. Maurice served as the band's main songwriter and record producer, and he was co-lead singer (along with Phillip Bailey). White has won seven Grammys, and he has been nominated for Grammys 21 times in total.
White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and he was individually inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also known by his nickname Reese, he has worked with several famous recording artists such as Deniece Williams, The Emotions, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond.
White was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the late 1980s, which led him to stop touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994. However, White retains executive control of the band, and he remains active in the music business.
Read more about Maurice White: Impact, Personal Life
Famous quotes containing the word white:
“...there was the annual Fourth of July picketing at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. ...I thought it was ridiculous to have to go there in a skirt. But I did it anyway because it was something that might possibly have an effect. I remember walking around in my little white blouse and skirt and tourists standing there eating their ice cream cones and watching us like the zoo had opened.”
—Martha Shelley, U.S. author and social activist. As quoted in Making History, part 3, by Eric Marcus (1992)