Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White dies aged 74 after long battle with Parkinson's disease

'He was a shining star': Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White dies aged 74 after long battle with Parkinson's disease

Sad news: Maurice White, founder and co-vocalist in Earth, Wind & Fire passed away aged 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He is pictured in 2005

February 4, 2016

Maurice White, founder and vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire, has died aged 74.

His younger brother and band member Verdine White confirmed the news Thursday, saying Maurice passed away in his sleep after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Verdine described his older brother as his 'hero and best friend' and asked for privacy for the family 'as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives.'

'The light is he, shining on you and me,' he tweeted. 

Earth, Wind & Fire burst onto the music scene in 1975 with the number one single Shining Star and went on to have a string of hits through the late 70s and early 80s including Got To Get You Into My Life, September, Boogie Wonderland and After the Love has Gone.

Maurice, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 19, 1941, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1992.

The degenerative condition that impairs the nervous system and often causes tremors forced him to stop touring with the band in 1994. 

His death comes just days before the group he founded is due to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Grammys in Los Angeles on February 15. 

The Recording Academy put out a statement Thursday afternoon expressing sorrow at the musician's passing.

'Maurice was the guiding force behind the group's success,' said President and CEO Neil Portnow. 'While he will be greatly missed, Maurice's contributions to music will live on.'

He boogie'd: Earth, Wind & Fire mixed jazz, funk and gospel with Big Band music and were equally famous for their glittery costumes, dancing, fog machines and glittery lights. Maurice is pictured in concert in 1979

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3432605/Earth-Wind-Fire-s-Maurice-White-dies-aged-74-battle-Parkinson-s.html#ixzz3zGMASq8e 

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