Maurice White

Maurice White (December 19, 1941 – February 4, 2016) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and arranger.He was the founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire; served as the band's main songwriter and record producer; and was its co-lead singer with Philip Bailey. White has been described as a "musical renaissance man" by Allmusic and a "maestro" by Billboard. He was nominated for a total of 22 Grammys, of which he won seven.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 was also inducted individually into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. White worked with several famous recording artists, including Deniece Williams, the Emotions, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Diamond.He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the late 1980s, which led him eventually to stop touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994.He retained executive control of the band and remained active in the music business until his death in February 2016.