Maurice White was an influential American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the founder and lead vocalist of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. His music style was a fusion of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, rock, dance, Latin, and Afro pop, which contributed to Earth, Wind & Fire's distinct sound. White's innovative songwriting and incorporation of kalimba (African thumb piano) were pivotal to their success. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and won seven Grammy Awards, making substantial contributions to the landscape of 20th-century popular music.