Funk pioneers Earth, Wind & Fire have announced that their co-founder Maurice White passed away this morning. He was 74. White stopped touring Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the late '80s.
Maurice White's brother and bandmate Verdine White also shared a statement on Facebook:
“My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep. While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.”
Tributes to the legend have poured in on Twitter from some of the many artists influenced by his legacy.
Watch Earth, Wind & Fire's music video for “Let's Groove” below.
