Earth, Wind & Fire was a band that defined an era. With their elaborate costumes covered in glitter and their coordinated dance moves, the band won over audiences across the world. The visuals of the band did not overpower their funk-filled sound. Earth, Wind & Fire was influential in shaping the sound of today's R&B and pop music by effortlessly fusing gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, and pop into the sound of their own records. On Wednesday, February 3, the man who is credited with forming this world renowned band, Maurice White, passed away at 74.

Maurice White was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1941. He began to sing in the church choir at age six and then he moved to Chicago to begin his formal music training at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. White began to work for Chess Records as a session drummer in 1963, playing on the records of artists like Muddy Waters and Etta James.

White eventually joined the Ramsey Lewis Trio and then he created his own group, The Salty Peppers. The Salty Peppers' name changed to Earth, Wind & Fire after a move to Los Angeles. The name was inspired by White's own astrological chart.

Maurice White invited his younger brother Verdine White, who played the bass, to join the group. The group's album was not a success so Maurice White decided to change the membership of the group, adding singer Philip Bailey and keyboardist Larry Dunn, while leaving Maurice and Verdine White as the only original members left.

With new members, came a new sound and the iconic group was reborn. Earth, Wind & Fire's 1973 album "Head to the Sky" sold more than 500,000 copies. Out of the group came hits like "Shining Star" and "September" which White helped composed. Maurice White won six Grammys as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. The group has also been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Earth, Wind & Fire sold over 100 million records, making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time. White was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with Earth, Wind & Fire, but also for his work with artists like Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond.

White toured with Earth, Wind & Fire until 1995. When he stopped touring, he worked on other projects like building his own recording studio and finding his own record label, Kalimba Records. In 2000, White announced that he had Parkinsons' disease which explained his inability to tour.

Maurice White made a huge impact on the music industry and he will always be dearly remembered.