A Chat with Earth, Wind and Fire Bass Player Verdine White
- Chomp
- May 7
- 2 min read
Since starting the band in 1969, Earth, Wind and Fire has traveled around the globe attending festivals, performing at concerts, winning nine Grammy’s and hyping up any and every party with their hit songs. We sat down with Earth, Wind and Fire bass player, Verdine White, to chat about Austin and what he's been up to lately.
Verdine White was placed at #19 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time". His father, Verdine Sr., was a doctor who also played the saxophone. When he was 15, he saw a double bass in his high school orchestra class and decided that he wanted to play bass. Proof that high school band is the start of many legends.
After years of lessons, Verdine began working the Chicago club scene with local bands. Meanwhile, brother Maurice, who was a former session drummer had formed the Salty Peppers, scoring a local hit that caught the ears of the one and only, Capitol Records.
In 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.
We sat down with White to chat about Austin, SXSW and his career.
Welcome to Austin! Have you ever attended SXSW before? When was the last time you guys were here?
White: "Happy to be here! We played at SXSW about 3 years ago”.
What is different about SXSW compared to other festivals you’ve been to?
White: “It’s just a lot of fun, a lot of fun, a lot of fun ya know?”
What are you looking forward to the most about being in Austin?
White: “The excitement, the people, the food, it’s just a really great city. I'm excited to do some shopping, I need to get some new cowboy boots!”
Who is your favorite current artist right now and why?
White: “I really love Anderson .Paak right now".
What do you hope that people get out of your music in the future?
White: “Just Happiness”.
How has the music industry changed since you guys first started Earth, Wind and Fire?
White: “The music industry has changed so much, but so has the whole world, everything has changed. But it’s a good thing. The biggest thing that has changed is we all know about music now, we are all connected by music. We are all just so much more connected”.
If you are alive in 2026, you have heard the song "September" at least once. Yes it might have been at a bar while you were out or on a fun video you've seen on social media, but the song's legacy lives far beyond the year it was made. The legend lives on.
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