Maurice White, a renowned musician and songwriter, was born on December 19, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, but relocated to Chicago as a teenager. His father, Verdine, was a medical professional who played a significant role in shaping Maurice's early life. For many years, they resided in the South Shore section on the South Side of Chicago, an area that would later influence Maurice's musical style.
Maurice's academic pursuits took him to Crane Junior College and the Chicago Conservatory of Music, where he honed his skills as a drummer. It was during his time at the conservatory that he received a call to fill in for a drummer on a session with the renowned singer Betty Everett. The song, "You're No Good," marked Maurice's debut as a session drummer and launched his career in the music industry.
As a session drummer, Maurice had the opportunity to work with numerous Chicago-based artists, including Etta James, Fontella Bass, The Impressions, The Dells, Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf, and Billy Stewart. His impressive skills behind the drums soon led to a touring stint with The Dells, followed by a three-year tenure with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, replacing Isaac "Red" Holt.
After his time with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Maurice decided to form his own group, which he initially called the Salty Peppers. Later, he changed the name to Earth, Wind & Fire, a moniker inspired by the elements of nature. As the founder of the group, Maurice not only created hits with Earth, Wind & Fire but also wrote and produced music for other artists, including the Emotions, Ramsey Lewis, Deniece Williams, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Holliday, Pockets, and Neil Diamond.
Despite no longer touring full-time with Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice remains an integral part of the group, still recording and performing occasionally. His music career has been marked by numerous challenges, including the onset of Parkinson's disease in the late 1980s, which has gradually escalated over the years.
