Sidelined by Parkinson's disease since being diagnosed during the late '80s, Earth, Wind & Fire cofounder Maurice White -- who died at 74 on Thursday, Feb. 4 -- still kept his finger on the pulse of the group and maintained a kind of "executive" oversight of the group's career. Though no longer able to grant full-scale interviews, he did answer a few questions via email for Billboard when the group's Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was announced in mid-January -- one of the final media exchanges of his life.

Rare interview with Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire in 2007 about his great career and writing the band's hit songs.

Goodbye Maurice White (1941-2016): A personal recollection

One of the musicians behind "September," perhaps the happiest-sounding wedding song of all time, died in his sleep. Verdine White announced the death of his "brother, hero and best friend."

Maurice White, Earth Wind & Fire's visionary and founder, has died at the age of 74.

Maurice White, founder and co-lead singer of seminal funk-soul group Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at age 74.

Philip Bailey, Vance Taylor and Maurice White performing with Earth, Wind and Fire at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on January 29, 1988.

Barry Manilow, Barry, 1980, DLART2 Vinyl condition VG+ Sleeve condition VG+, inner picture/lyric sleeve Barry is the seventh studio album released by singer and songwriter Barry Manilow in 1980. The album reached Platinum status.[3] The tracks were recorded at Evergreen Recording Studios in Burbank, California. Manilow co-wrote with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire the album track "Only in Chicago". "We Still Have Time" was taken from the film Tribute. The album scored one top ten pop hit, "I Made It Through the Rain", which reached number ten, in early 1981. Although "I Made It Through the Rain" was his only Top-10 on the Hot 100 from this album, he managed to reach the Top-10 on the Adult-Contemporary lists with "Lonely Together" and the bouncy up-tempo "Bermuda Triangle" was a Top-20 hit in the UK in mid-1981 PLEASE NOTE that no record is perfect, PLEASE read the below carefully and know the most records have slight crackles but nothing that overpowers the music

He was founding member of group known for songs such as "September" and "Shining Star"

Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire. during Earth Wind & Fire In Concert At The Greek Theater at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Both the death of the Earth, Wind, & Fire founder and Spike Lee's 'Off the Wall' documentary offer a reminder that great music takes more than passion.

Singer/songwriter/producer/percussionist Maurice White has died, leaving a soulful legacy.

Earth, Wind & Fire – Sing A Song Label: Columbia – 3-10251 Format: Vinyl, 7", Single, 45 RPM Country: US Released: 1975 Genre: Funk / Soul Style: Disco A Sing A Song 3:26 B Sing A Song (Instrumental Version) 3:26 Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc. Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Engineer – George Massenburg Producer – Charles Stepney, Maurice White Written-By – A. McKay*, M. White* ℗ 1975 CBS Inc. Condition: Sleeve: VG+ Vinyl: VG++ Our Vinyl Grading: Mint (M): This is a grade that won't be used unless the record is still sealed. Near Mint (NM): This record shows no obvious signs of wear. A record that looks like new. The jacket may show only light wear with minor scuffing and/or edge-wear. The jacket will not have seam splits, folds, or cut-out holes. Near Mint Minus (NM-): This record won't be perfect and may show very minimal signs of use. This is a record that may have been played but was handled with extreme care. The jacket may have light scuffing and/or edge-wear, minimal creasing, promotional cut-outs or cut corners. Very Good Plus (VG+): This record will show light use and may have some mild scuffing and/or fine surfaces scratches that may create light surface noise. Light surface noise may be noticeable during quiet passages and in between tracks. This is a record that was obviously played and shows light to moderate wear. The jacket may have light to moderate scuffing, edge-wear, slight ring wear, lightly turned-up corners, promotional cut-outs or cut corners. Very Good (VG): This record will show more signs of wear. Surface scuffing and light scratches will be much more visible. Surface noise will be more noticeable. Record labels may have writing, or stickers attached. The jacket will have scuffing and edge-wear and may have seam splits, ring wear, turned-up corners, and cut-out holes. Jackets may also have a previous owner's name or other writing. Good (G): This record will have even more wear with significant surface noise, scratches, and possible groove wear. However, with all of these defects described, the record should play without skipping. The jacket may have seam splits, ring wear, turned-up corners, and cut-out holes. Jackets may also have a previous owner's name or other writing.

Close-up portrait of Maurice White, Grammy award winning singer and songwriter, and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, and Fire, late twentieth century.

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Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire during 2004 Recording Academy Membership Awards Luncheon at Beverly HIlls Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States.