Maurice White

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Maurice White
Maurice White performing in 1982 with Earth, Wind, and Fire at the Ahoy Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Maurice White performing in 1982 with Earth, Wind, and Fire at the Ahoy Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Background information
Birth nameMaurice White
Also known asReese
Born (1941-12-19) December 19, 1941 (age 82)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
OriginChicago, Illinois, United States
GenresSoul, funk, R&B, jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, record producer, arranger
Instrument(s)Vocals, kalimba, drums
Years active1961–present
LabelsColumbia, Kalimba
Websitewww.mauricewhite.com

Maurice White (born December 19, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger and bandleader. He is the founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire and the older brother of current and former Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine White and Fred White respectively. Maurice served as the band's main songwriter and record producer, and he was co-lead singer (along with Phillip Bailey). White has won seven Grammys, and he has been nominated for Grammys 21 times in total.[1][2][3]

White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire,[1] and he was individually inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[4] Also known by his nickname Reese, he has worked with several famous recording artists such as Deniece Williams, The Emotions, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond.

White was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the late 1980s, which led him to stop touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994. However, White retains executive control of the band, and he remains active in the music business.

Biography

Early career

Maurice White was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1941 to a father who was a doctor and occasional saxophonist. He grew up in South Memphis where he lived with his family in the Foote Homes Projects and was a childhood friend of Booker T Jones. In his teenage years, he moved to Chicago and found work as a session drummer for Chess Records. While at Chess, he played on the records of artists such as Etta James, Ramsey Lewis, Sonny Stitt, Muddy Waters, The Impressions, The Dells, Betty Everett, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Buddy Guy.[2] White also played the drums on Fontella Bass's Rescue Me and Billy Stewart's Summertime.[5] In 1962, along with other studio musicians at Chess, he was a member of the Jazzmen which later became The Pharaohs.

By 1966, he joined the Ramsey Lewis Trio, replacing Isaac 'Red' Holt as the new drummer. Holt would go on to be a part of the Young-Holt Unlimited and bassist Eldee Young was also replaced by Cleveland Eaton. As a member of the Trio, Maurice played on nine of the group's albums, some of which include Wade in the Water, from which the track Hold It Right There won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental, Goin' Latin, The Piano Player, and Dancing in the Street. While in the Trio he was introduced in a Chicago drum store to the African Thumb Piano or Kalimba and on the Trio's 1969 album Another Voyage's track Uhuru was featured the first recording of Maurice playing the Kalimba.[6]

In 1969, Maurice left the Trio and joined his two friends, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, to form a songwriting team who wrote songs for commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol Records and called themselves The Salty Peppers. They had a moderate hit in the Midwest area with their single "La La Time", but their second single, "Uh Huh Yeah", wasn't as successful. Maurice then migrated from Chicago to Los Angeles, and altered the name of the band to Earth, Wind & Fire.

Earth, Wind & Fire

Main article: Earth, Wind & Fire

With Maurice as the bandleader and producer of most of the band's albums, EWF has earned legendary status winning six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards,[7], and selling over 90 million albums worldwide.[2][8] As a member of the band, Maurice has been bestowed with such honors of being inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Songwriters Hall of Fame and The NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

Maurice White in Munich, Germany in 1975

White is responsible for incorporating the sound of the Kalimba also known as the African thumb piano and of a horn section namely the Phenix Horns and Earth, Wind & Fire Horns into the music of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Due to his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease in the late 1980s, White stopped touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994. However, he retains executive control of the band and is still very active in the music business, producing and recording with EWF and other artists. A message board entitled www.Startalk.org was set up in 1999 to offer support to Maurice with his health struggles. Messages of encouragement from celebrities such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Isaac Hayes, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine were published.[9]

He has appeared on stage with Earth, Wind & Fire since his retirement from the road from time to time, for instance at the 2004 Grammy Award's Tribute to Funk and alongside Alicia Keys at Clive Davis's 2004 pre-Grammy award party where they performed the band's 1978 hit "September".[10][11]

Deniece Williams

Main article: Deniece Williams

In 1976, White, with Charles Stepney co-produced Deniece Williams', a former backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder's debut album, This Is Niecy which was released on Columbia Records. The album was the first project for the newly formed production company Kalimba Productions which was formed by Maurice White and Charles Stepney in the same year.[12] This Is Niecy rose to number 3 on the R&B charts and contained the single Free which reached number 25 on the pop charts, number 5 on the R&B charts and number 1 on the UK singles charts. This is Niecy has been certified gold in the United States by the RIAA. With the death of Charles Stepney a few months after the release of This Is Niecy White solely produced Williams sophomore album Song Bird. Released in 1977 this album reached number 23 on the black albums chart and the single Baby, Baby My Love's All For You reached number 13 and number 32 on the black and UK singles chart respectively.

Deniece later released four more albums on Columbia Records for Kalimba Productions which were 1978's That's What Friends Are For, 1979's When Love Comes Calling, My Melody released in 1981 and 1982's Niecy respectively.[13] In a 2007 interview Deniece says that "I loved working with Maurice White" and "he taught me the business of music, and planning and executing a plan and executing a show."[12]

The Emotions

Main article: The Emotions

After Stax Records became embroiled in financial problems, the girl group the Emotions looked for a new contract and found one with Columbia Records on which their album Flowers was released in 1976. With Charles Stepney co-producing their album with Maurice Flowers was their first charting album since 1969 as it rose to number 5 on the R&B charts and has been certified gold in the US. The singles "Flowers" and "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" from this album reached number 16 and number 13 on the R&B charts.

After Charles Stepney died in 1976, Maurice took over the reins of producing the Emotions and it was with this combo that the album Rejoice was released in 1977. Rejoice peaked at number 7 and number 1 on the pop and R&B charts and spawned the singles "Best of My Love" and "Don't Ask My Neighbors" which reached number 1 on the Pop and R&B charts and number 7 on the R&B charts respectively.

Best of My Love won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, and an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. "Best Of My Love" was also the third biggest pop single of 1977, and has been certified platinum. Rejoice was also the third biggest R&B album of 1977 has been certified platinum.

In 1978, The Emotions released their third Columbia album, Sunbeam in 1978. Sunbeam reached number 12 on the top R&B album charts and spawned the number 6 R&B single "Smile". Sunbeam has been certified gold by the RIAA. In 1979 Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with the Emotions for the single "Boogie Wonderland" which reached number 6 and number 2 on the Pop and R&B charts and has been certified gold for sales of over a million copies and this is so as up until the RIAA lowered the sales levels for certified singles in 1989, a Gold single equaled 1 million units sold.[14][15] The Emotions also received an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group in 1979.[16] Maurice produced two more albums for the Emotions until they departed Columbia to record under Motown.

Work with other artists

Beside his work with The Emotions and Deniece Williams, White has collaborated with several other famous recording artists. For instance, he played the drums on Minnie Riperton's debut 1970 album, Come to My Garden and contributed vocals on Weather Report's 1978 album Mr. Gone. White has also produced for Ramsey Lewis on 1974 's Sun Goddess, 1976's Salongo and 1993's Sky Islands, Jennifer Holliday on her 1983 release Feel My Soul, Barbra Streisand on her 1984 platinum album Emotion, Atlantic Starr on their platinum 1986 album All in the Name of Love and Neil Diamond on his 1986 gold album Headed for the Future. In addition he co-wrote with Barry Manilow his song "Only In Chicago," which was included on his 1980 platinum album Barry the track Tip of My Tongue for the rock band The Tubes which appeared on their album Outside Inside and contributed vocals on Cher's 1987 platinum album entitled Cher.

White produced two of the jazz group The Urban Knights's albums which are Urban Knights I and Urban Knights II released in 1995 and 1997 respectively. Urban Knights I featured Ramsey Lewis, Brazilian percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, American jazz saxophonistGrover Washington, Jr. and it went to number 3 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums charts. The group's sophomore album Urban Knights II featured appearances by Ramsey Lewis, Paulinho Da Costa, EWF's bassistVerdine White, singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler and jazz saxophonist Najee. Urban Knights II went to number 5 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums charts.

White arranged for the British girl group Cleopatra on their 1998 album Comin' Atcha! which peaked at number 20 on the UK albums chart.

Maurice was the executive producer of the group Xpression's album Power in 2000,[17] Their debut album, Power, was released the same year.[18] and on March 27, 2006 Maurice was featured on the French jazz band Nojazz's 2006 album Have Fun on the tracks Nobody Else and Kool. Kool marked the first time Maurice collaborated with his friend Stevie Wonder.[19]

White served as the executive producer of an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute album entitled Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire which was released in March 2007. Featured on the album were renowned artists some of which included Chaka Khan, Kirk Franklin and Angie Stone. From the album Dwele's remake of "That's The Way Of The World" and Meshell Ndegeocello's cover of "Fantasy" were both Grammy nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.

White executively produced jazz musician Brian Culbertson's album Bringing Back The Funk which was released in 2008. The album features Maurice, former EWF member Larry Dunn, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Ledisi, Musiq Soulchild, Maceo Parker and Gerald Albright to name a few. Bringing Back The Funk went to No. 1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Charts and stayed there for two weeks. Culbertson revealed in an interview that he is "still in disbelief. I have learned so much from (Maurice) and he actually said that he learned a lot from me. It was incredible to work with him."[20]

Solo Work

In 1985, White released a solo album entitled Maurice White that included a cover of Ben E. King's "Stand by Me," featuring a guest appearance by jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright and the moderate hit "I Need You." White's version of "Stand by Me" went to number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and number 11 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

On the screen and the stage

Maurice has also written songs for the movies Coming to America and Undercover Brother. Maurice has also composed music for the television series, Life Is Wild.[21] Maurice also worked with Gregory Hines's brother, Maurice Hines in 2006 to release the Broadway play Hot Feet and White wrote several new songs along with Allee Willis for the play.[22]

In the movie BAADASSSSS!, the actor Khalil Kain portrayed a young Maurice White leading the early incarnation of Earth, Wind & Fire link link. Released at the Sundance Film Festival, the film was based on Melvin Van Peebles' struggles to film and distribute the movie Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song and was directed by his son Mario Van Peebles.

The TV sitcom Hearts Afire used That's The Way Of The World as one of its theme songs and Maurice won an ASCAP Award as one of the writers of the song.[23][24]

Impact

Maurice has been called "an innovator" and "someone who has had a profound impact upon the music industry as a whole" by Chaka Khan and Lalah Hathaway believes that "his contribution as both a musician and a producer has been immeasurable". In addition Maurice has been cited as a main influence by artists such as Bilal and Lenny Kravitz.[25][26]

Personal life

Maurice has a younger brother, Verdine, who tours with Earth Wind and Fire as a bassist and on vocals.[27] He owns two homes in California, one in Carmel Valley and another being a four level condominium in Los Angeles.[28][29]

See also

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Maurice has received 7 awards from 21 nominations and from these he has won one Grammy and been nominated 4 times as an individual performer.[1]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1976 "Earth, Wind & Fire" Best Instrumental Composition Nominated
1978 "Got to Get You into My Life" Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) Won
"Fantasy" Best R&B Song Nominated
1979 "Maurice White" Producer of the Year Nominated

Other awards

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Official Earth, Wind & Fire Website". Earthwindandfire.com. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Maurice White Overview". allmusic.com.
  3. ^ "Awards Database – Maurice White". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ "Maurice White Biography". Retrieved June 30, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Biography: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
  6. ^ The Eternal Dance, 1993, Liner notes & text by David Nathan.
  7. ^ BBCnewsamerica.com
  8. ^ "Larry Dunn Overview". allmuisc.com.
  9. ^ "Celebrity Messages to Maurice". startalk.org. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  10. ^ "Back in Boogie Wonderland – The Birmingham Post". Icsolihull.icnetwork.co.uk. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  11. ^ "Alicia Keys Earth Wind and Fire – Freestyle – Live". Youtube. August 18, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Suosalo, Heikki. "Deniece Williams Story Part 2 (1975–1981)". soulexpress.net. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  13. ^ "Deniece Williams – Love Niecy Style". musicremedy.com. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  14. ^ "RIAA Certification for After the Love Has Gone". Riaa.com. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  15. ^ "Rock Music, etc., Terms". spider.georgetowncollege.edu. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  16. ^ "American Music Awards: Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group". rockonthenet.com. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  17. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire Page". soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  18. ^ "Detailed Item Info". ebay. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  19. ^ "NoJazz – Have Fun". discogs. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  20. ^ Kasey Wheeler, Katrina (June 11, 2008). "Brian Culbertson: Bringing Back the Funk". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  21. ^ Maurice White on inbaseline.com
  22. ^ Maurice White on imdb.com
  23. ^ Maurice White on imdb.com – awards
  24. ^ Hearts Afire on imdb.com
  25. ^ "Maurice White presents...Interpretations celebrating the music of Earth, Wind & Fire". kalimbaentertainment.com. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  26. ^ "The Gibson Interview: Lenny Kravitz". gibsonguitar.in. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  27. ^ Aiken, Kit (September 1999). "Earth Wind And Fire: The Ultimate Collection/Gratitude/All 'N' All/That's The Way Of The World (Columbia)". Uncut Magazine. Retrieved 28, April 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  28. ^ "Maurice White debuts on solo album". Jet Magazine. Vol. 69, no. 9. November 11, 1985. p. 32. ISSN 0021-5996.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  29. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire members build their dream homes". Ebony Magazine. Vol. 33, no. 2. December 1977. pp. 154–159. ISSN 0012-9011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  30. ^ "Maurice White – Awards & Honors". mauricewhite.com. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  31. ^ Funicello, Tammy (May 18, 2005). "Maurice White Honored". lavalleystar.com.
  32. ^ "Maurice White and Philip Bailey received honorary doctorates from the Berkley College of Music". Berklee.edu. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  33. ^ May 2008+PRN20080520 Maurice, Phillip Bailey, Ralph Johnson and Verdine White received honorary doctorates from Columbia College of Chicago[dead link]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maurice White.

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