Died On This Date (February 4, 2016) Maurice White / Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice White
December 19, 1941 – February 4, 2016

Maurice-WhiteMaurice White was the founder and co-lead singer of the highly influential R&B band, Earth, Wind & Fire.  Formed in Chicago in 1969, the band went on to sell over 100 million albums, making them one of the most successful bands of the 20th century.  For over four decades, the group dazzled audiences around the world thanks in part to their dynamic horn section and energetic live shows.  White was born in Memphis, Tennessee and gravitated toward music at an early age along with childhood friend, Booker T Jones.  As a teenager, White moved to Chicago where he found work as a session drummer for the legendary label, Chess Records.  He played on numerous records by the likes of Etta James, Muddy Waters, the Impressions, and Buddy Guy.   In 1966, he joined Ramsey Lewis Trio with whom he recorded nine albums and received his first Grammy for the single, “Hold It Right There.”  Three years later, he formed Earth, Wind & Fire and went on to produce most of the their albums.  In all, the group earned six Grammys along with countless other awards and accolades.  During the ’80s, White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Due to that, he ultimately retired from touring in 1994, but continued to oversee the band’s business side while producing their records and those by others.   His most notable successes outside of Earth, Wind & Fire were releases by the Emotions and Deniece Williams.   The stunning list of other collaborators includes Barbra Streisand, Weather Report, Neil Diamond, and Minnie Riperton.  Maurice White was 74 when he passed away on February 4, 2016.  Cause of death was not immediately released but likely attributed to his long battle with Parkinson’s.

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Died On This Date (October 1, 1975) Al Jackson Jr. / Booker T & The MGs

Al Jackson Jr.
November 27, 1934 – October 1, 1975

Al Jackson, Jr. was a much respected drummer, producer and songwriter who is best remembered for his work as a member of the house band for Stax Records, Booker T. & the M.G.s. Jackson started drumming as a child and is even reported to have played on stage with his father’s jazz band as early as the age of five.  He eventually joined up with Booker T. Jones, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Steve Cropper to form the equally integrated R&B band, Booker T. and the M.G.s (Cropper and Dunn are both white).  Together (and separately)  they played on countless R&B hits, including those by Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett.  In 1962, the group released the instrumental, “Green Onions” which became an iconic hit that has been heard in countless movies, television shows and commercials over the years.   In the early hours of October 1, 1975, Jackson returned home from watching the Joe Frazier – Muhammad Ali fight on a local movie theater screen.  He was met by an intruder or intruders who shot and killed him execution style.  Details of the incident have remained fuzzy, but some believe that his wife was in on it.  A suspect who apparently knew Jackson’s wife, was shot and killed in a gun battle with police nine months later.  It is not clear if it was related to the Jackson killing.

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The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's - Booker T. & The MG's