Earth, Wind & Fire’s Verdine White Honors ‘Superman’ Big Brother Maurice White in New Song

Thursday (Dec. 19) would have marked Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White’s 83rd birthday. To honor his big brother, EWF co-founder Verdine White has released a new single titled “Superman.” The release — available on all music platforms through DistroKid — also marks the first time that the group’s renowned bassist is singing solo.

“Would you believe this is my first time,” a laughing White tells Billboard. “I was nervous, but it turned out beautifully. Now that the pressure is off, I think I’ll do more.”

“Superman” was brought to White’s attention by Motown Records lyricist Janie Bradford (Barrett Strong’s “Money [That’s What I Want]”) a little over a year ago. Completed by Bradford and White in collaboration with Carnell Harrell, the loving tribute was produced by Shelly Clark White, co-founder of the late ‘60s R&B/soul girl group Honey Cone (“Want Ads”) and Verdine’s wife. Featured along with Clark on backing vocals are fellow current Honey Cone members Kathy Merrick and Wendy Smith-Bruné.

With its vibrant fusion of R&B, soul and pop, “Superman” is immediately reminiscent of EWF’s legendary zeitgeist. And its heartfelt lyrics evoke all that Maurice means to baby brother Verdine. As the latter expresses in a pleasing tenor on the song’s chorus, “More than any other/ He would always understand/ He called me his little brother / I called him Superman.” (Check out the song and its video on YouTube, which also features photos and clips of Maurice.)

“Maurice is the icon,” says White of his brother, who passed away from Parkinson’s disease in 2016. “A great leader, great big brother, great mentor. And he did a magnificent job in putting together Earth, Wind & Fire. We miss him dearly.”

Still going strong 55 years after it 1969 inception, EWF — whose bastion of hits includes “Shining Star,” “That’s the Way of the World,” “September” and “Can’t Hide Love” — hit the road this year for a string of solo shows in addition to joint shows with Lionel Richie and Chicago. And the group is already set to play the Hollywood Bowl next year on July 2, 3 and 4. Also in the works: an EWF documentary directed by Questlove.

Asked how Maurice would react to “Superman,” White says, “I think he’d chuckle and say, ‘Man, I didn’t know you could sing like that.’”