Hollywood Mourns Earth, Wind & Fire Founder Maurice White

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White died Thursday at the age of 74 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The nine-piece band sold more than 90 million albums with such well-known hits as “September” and ”Shining Star,” and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. 

“My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep,” Verdine White, Maurice’s brother and former bandmate, told The Associated Press. “While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life-changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.”

Tributes poured in from the entertainment industry on Thursday after the news broke:

Our brother Maurice White passed peacefully in his sleep this morning.

The light is he, shining on you and me. pic.twitter.com/ppWTHKUyG6

— Earth, Wind & Fire (@EarthWindFire) February 4, 2016

R.I.P. the great Maurice White. “You can’t hide love ” EWF. pic.twitter.com/gWk2p5lZR4

— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 4, 2016

RIP MAURICE WHITE .LOVE & BLESSINGS TO HIM AND THE FAMILY . EARTH WIND AND FIRE ..ANOTHER SHINING STAR GONE TO BOOGIE WONDERLAND .

— Wu Tang Clan (@WuTangClan) February 4, 2016

“Keep Your Head To The Sky”
R.I.P. Maurice White

— Craig Robinson (@MrCraigRobinson) February 4, 2016

Maurice was everything…..Everything.

— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) February 4, 2016

RIP Maurice White. Thank you for the amazing grooves and vocals.

— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) February 4, 2016

Man….. Sad to hear: #Maurice White one of founders of Earth Wind & Fire passed today. This… https://t.co/qrzd2MifoE

— CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) February 4, 2016

You’re a shining star, no matter who you are. Shining bright to see, what you could truly be. #RIPMauriceWhite

— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) February 4, 2016

together for the children of the world – theres a star smiling for us all – maurice white – I AM – RIP

— Rosie O’Donnell (@Rosie) February 4, 2016

Maurice White is one of the greatest and grooviest writers/arrangers. Ever. RIP.

— Tavis Smiley (@tavissmiley) February 4, 2016

Maurice White. I listened to you ever single day at my mothers hair salon, & I didn’t understand what you made me feel, but you were a hero.

— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) February 5, 2016

Maurice White. You were there when we were born,when we graduated,when we connected with our families,when we mourned,when we got married.

— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) February 5, 2016

#RIP Maurice White

— Tyler James Williams (@TylerJamesWill) February 4, 2016