Maurice White, a celebrated and accomplished musician and drummer, entered the world on December 19, 1941, in the vibrant city of Memphis, Tennessee, where the rich cultural heritage and musical traditions would later influence his artistic endeavors. Nevertheless, the trajectory of his life underwent a significant transformation when, as a teenager, he made the bold decision to relocate to the bustling metropolis of Chicago, Illinois. This pivotal move would ultimately shape the course of his future and lay the foundation for his remarkable success.
Maurice's teenage years were spent in the South Shore section of the South Side of Chicago, where he resided with his family. His educational pursuits took him to Crane Junior College, followed by enrollment in the esteemed Chicago Conservatory of Music. It was during his time at the conservatory that Maurice received an unexpected call to fill in for a drummer on a session with the illustrious artist Betty Everett. This marked the beginning of his illustrious career as a session drummer, and he went on to play on numerous sessions for prominent Chicago-based artists, including the renowned Etta James, Fontella Bass, The Impressions, The Dells, Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf, and Billy Stewart.
Maurice, a highly accomplished session drummer, embarked on an illustrious career, initially touring with the renowned vocal group, The Dells, as their drummer. Subsequently, he took the reins as the drummer for the Ramsey Lewis Trio, replacing the esteemed Isaac "Red" Holt, and spent an impressive three years with the group from 1966 to 1969.
Following his tenure with Ramsey Lewis, Maurice decided to venture out on his own, and, in collaboration with a local band featuring his younger brother Verdine, he founded a new group. Initially christened the Salty Peppers, the ensemble would later undergo a metamorphosis, transforming into the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire, an entity inspired by the primal forces of nature.
Maurice White, a visionary music industry icon, left an indelible mark on the world of music, not only through his own groundbreaking work with the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire, but also by leveraging his exceptional creative talents to craft and produce an impressive array of hits for a diverse range of notable artists.
Among the many notable acts that benefited from White's remarkable skills as a songwriter and producer were the Emotions, Ramsey Lewis, Deniece Williams, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Holliday, Pockets, and Neil Diamond, each of whom was fortunate enough to have had their music elevated to new heights through his innovative and inspired vision.
