American drummer Fred White of the funk band Earth, Wind

Born in 1955 in Chicago (Illinois, north), White had started playing the drums at a very young age. During his career, he won six Grammy Awards with the legendary funk group formed in 1969 by his brother, Maurice White, who died in 2016.

“Our family is saddened today by the loss of an incredible and talented family member,” another of his brothers, Verdine White, wrote in an Instagram post, recalling that he had “records of gold from the age of 16! »

Earth, Wind

In 1979, the band was the first African-American outfit to perform to sold-out crowds at New York's prestigious Madison Square Garden.

On the band's official Instagram page was posted a video of White performing a drum solo at a concert in Germany in 1979 along with the message, "Rest in love."

He then worked with other artists, including soul singer Deniece Williams.

White, as a member of the band Earth, Wind

The group distinguished itself through its songs, but also through its shows filled with energy, punctuated by a strong presence of brass instruments and a kalimba, an African percussion instrument made of metal slats.

Without ever having completely left the stage, the group experienced a resurgence in notoriety after the election of President Barack Obama, who invited them among the first artists to perform after entering the White House in 2009.