Fred E. White (born January 13, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American drummer. He was one of the early members of Earth, Wind & Fire. He previously played drums on Donny Hathaway’s live album.
Earth, Wind, and Fire, consisting of Fred White, half-brother Maurice White, younger brother Welding White, and others, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
I’ve been a DJ since the early 90’s. I’ve seen a lot and experienced a lot of intense things over the years. Styles, cultures and music come and go, but the feeling and passion for music remains. I still feel the need to take control and give people a special journey and experience with timeless music. This feeling is eternal and will never fade with the love of music.
Today we wish former Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White, born January 13, 1955, a very happy birthday. Innovative, precise and passionate, White began playing professionally in his early teens. He met Donny Hathaway when he was 15, and a few weeks before he graduated from high school, he decided to tour with him and record Donny Hathaway Live, which Rolling Stone magazine named one of the top 50 live albums.
Below are two songs from that album, “The Ghetto” and “Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything).”
In 1974 White joined his brothers Maurice White and Fording White in Earth, Wind and Fire. They had invited once or twice before, but White said he wasn’t ready yet. In addition to Donny Hathaway, White also plays with T-Box Band and Little Feat, and works for Motown Records.
When White joined EWF, Ralph Johnson was the band’s other drummer. Having two drummers on stage is key to the band’s loud sound.
White has played on eight of EWF’s studio albums and many live performances, combining funky beats, soulful energy and jazzy arrangements with EWF’s already upbeat and raucous exuberance.
