This article will answer every question you have about Verdine White. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about him.
- What does White do for a living?
- Who are White parents and siblings?
- What are White interests and hobbies?
- Is White married or does he have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
- Does White have any children?
- Where is White now?
- How tall is White?
- How much money does White earn?
- What is White net worth?
N/B: Please read the entire post to have all your questions answered.
Who is Verdine White?
Verdine Adams While is a well-known American musician, best known as a founding member and bassist for the band Earth Wind and Fire. White was placed at No. 19 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time.
Verdine White career
He soon got a red electric bass and, taking the advice of brother Maurice and his father, took private lessons from Radi Velah of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, learning the Billè double bass method, and on weekends learned the electric bass with Chess Records session bassist and trombonist Louis Satterfield, who would later become a member of Earth, Wind & Fire’s famed horn section, The Phenix Horns. Verdine says he learned everything about the bass guitar from Louis Satterfield, and some of his early bass influences were James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and Gary Karr.
Moving toward a newly bought Fender Telecaster Bass instead of the upright bass, Verdine began working the Chicago club scene with local bands. Meanwhile, brother Maurice, who was a former session drummer at Chess Records and a member of pianist Ramsey Lewis’ trio, had formed the Salty Peppers, scoring a local hit that caught the ears of Capitol Records.
In early 1970 Maurice moved to Los Angeles, hoping to record the group, which he had renamed Earth, Wind & Fire, and called up Verdine asking whether he would like to join, which he did, arriving in Los Angeles on June 6, 1970.
Earth, Wind & Fire
As Earth, Wind & Fire’s bassist since the band’s inception, White has victory 6 and earn 2 honorees Grammy Awards, has been Grammy nominated 18 times, and has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame to call a few honors. The band has also received more than 50 gold and platinum albums and has sold over 90 million albums worldwide.
White was presented with Bass Player magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award by Nathan East in November 2008. Verdine was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at the ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California on Friday, February 26, 2010. Verdine White holds an honorary doctorate degree from the American Conservatory of Music. Rolling Stone Australia Magazine ranked White number 19 on “The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time on July 2, 2020.
How old is Verdine White?
White is currently aged 71 years old as of 2023, having been born on July 25, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. He shares his birthday with popular people such as David Denman, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jay R. Ferguson, Katherine Kelly Lang, Linsey Godfrey, Mason Cook, Matt LeBlanc and many more.
Verdine White Family
Who are Verdine’s White Parents?
White was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. to his parents Edna and Dr. Verdine Adams. His father was a doctor who also played the saxophone.
Does Verdine White have Siblings?
White was born into a family of four children. He has three siblings who are Maurice White, Fred White, and Geraldine Holmes.
Verdine White Education
White attended and graduated from Richard T. Crane Medical Prep High School in 1969.
Verdine White Spouse
White has married singer, dancer, and actress Shelly Clark for 35 years, and they live together in their hose in Los Angeles.
Verdine White Kids
The couple has two children together and they are going strong. They have got real estate properties under their name and are living a luxurious life. He has kept his personal and professional life away from the media.
Verdine White Height
Adding up to his well-built body, he stands at a height of 5 ft 10 in (1.80 m) and a weight of 169 lbs (77 kg).
Songwriter
His credits as a songwriter date return to Earth, Wind and Fire’s self-titled debut studio album, on which he co-wrote C Mon Children and Bas Tune. He co-wrote 3 tracks on their 3rd album, Last Days and Time. He had one writing credit on their 4th album, Head To The Sky. On their 5th album, Open Our Eyes, White co-wrote the group’s 1st top 5 R&B/Soul hit (No. 4), “Mighty, Mighty” along with his brother Maurice. They also co-wrote, “Kalimba Story”, a top 10 R&B/Soul hit (No. 6). These 2 tracks along with their single, “Devotion” (No. 23), helped the album top Billboard’s Soul Album Chart, giving them their 1st No. 1 album. White’s co-writes include some of Earth, Wind & Fire’s biggest hits, such as “That’s the Way of the World”. White is credited to many artists’ tracks as heard in commercials, movie soundtracks, and television shows.
Philanthropy
White is the co-founder and director of the Verdine White Foundation, which aims to provide musical education to underprivileged and gifted students. In 2007 he was as well inducted into the Boys and Girls Club’s Alumni Hall of Fame.
White is the founder of the non-profit organization, The Verdine White Performing Arts Center (VWPAC), located in Los Angeles. Founded in 2010, VWPAC encourages students to reach their fullest potential as artists and people, equipped with a well-rounded performing arts education and the confidence to take on whatever path they choose within the arts.
Author
White co-authored a book with Louis Satterfield, “Playing Bass Guitar, A Beginner’s Guide To The Electric Bass” in 2012.
Verdine White’s Net Worth
White is an American musician who has a net worth of $10 million dollars as of 2023.
