Earth, Wind & Fire Co-Founder Maurice White Has Died

The co-founder of the soul band Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White, has passed away at the age of 74.

White's brother and bandmate, Verdine, confirmed that the musician died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles.

"My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," Verdine wrote in a statement. "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."

The singer had reportedly been battling with Parkinson's disease since the early nineties, which forced him to stop touring with the funk group in 1994. Over the past few months, his health had declined dramatically, due to the long-time effects of the depilating illness.

Formed in 1969, Earth, Wind & Fire were a pioneering force that crossed and intertwined elements of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, rock, Latin and African music. In 1975, they went to Number 1 in the Billboard album charts with their sixth LP, entitled That's the Way of the World. They also had a string of number one hits during the seventies and eighties including, 'Shining Star', 'Sing A Song', 'Getaway', 'Serpentine Fire', 'Got to Get You into My Life' and the incredible 'September'.