Maurice White, Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, is Dead at 74

Maurice White, vocalist and co-founder of pioneering ensemble Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at 74.

White's brother and bandmate, bassist Verdine White, confirmed that the legendary bandleader died late Wednesday or early Thursday at his home in Los Angeles.

No cause was specified, though White announced in 2000 that he had Parkinson's Disease.

Our brother Maurice White passed peacefully in his sleep this morning.

The light is he, shining on you and me. pic.twitter.com/ppWTHKUyG6

— Earth, Wind & Fire (@EarthWindFire) February 4, 2016

"My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," Verdine White wrote in a post on the band's Facebook page. "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."

White founded the group, originally called the Salty Peppers, in 1969 after relocating from his native Chicago to Los Angeles. In 1971 he renamed the outfit Earth, Wind & Fire for the signs in his astroloical chart, and the group rose to prominence in the 70s and 80s thanks to a slate of hits like "Mighty Mighty," "Shining Star," "September," and a cover of The Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life." The band's soul, funk, and R&B roots would give rise to a genre-busting sound marked by rich funk basslines, sharp horn arrangements, infectious meolodies, and a radiant pop heart that imbued each song with the joy that White made his mission to spread through their music.

"We live in a negative society," White told Newsweek. "Most people can't see beauty and love. I see our music as medicine."

The nine-piece group's elaborate approach to performance—both in the studio and on stage—would inspire the sounds of both their peers and subsequent generations. Musicians ranging from Lenny Kravitz to Mark Ronson to Dam-Funk to The Mountain Goats took to social media Thursday night to express their condolences.

Nile Rogers called White "one of the most amazing innovators of all time," while Questlove posted a moving reflection on White's influence on his Instagram:

Maurice was our cheerleader…..i swear to god I did about 7 drafts and erased it. Look. I just… https://t.co/0w80QYrHd4

— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) February 5, 2016

White's memoir, "Keep Your Head to the Sky: My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire," is due out later this year. Earth, Wind & Fire, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, are set to be honored at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feburary 15.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.