MAURICE WHITE, EARTH, WIND & FIRE SINGER & CO-FOUNDER, DEAD AT 74

 Singer had been battling Parkinson's disease for more than two decades

Earth, Wind and Fire vocalist and co-founder Maurice White died in his sleep in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening. A rep for the band confirmed his passing, he was 74.

The singer had been battling Parkinson's disease since 1992, his health had reportedly deteriorated in recent months. Because of the disease, he had not toured with the pioneering soul and R&B group since 1994. He nevertheless remained active on the business side of the group.
"My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," White's brother and bandmate 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 light is he, shining on you and me," the band added on Twitter.

Earth, Wind & Fire covered the song for the 1978 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack. They released it as a single and included it on their album The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1. Their version reached number 1 on the Soul singles chart and number nine on the Hot 100 singles chart.In the autumn of 1978 it reached number 33 in the BBC Top 75 singles chart recorded on CBS records CBS 6553.

The song won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and also garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

"Got to Get You into My Life" sold over one million copies, enough for the RIAA to certify it gold.