Earth, Wind & Fire Members: Who’s Still Alive in 2026?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering who’s still on stage when Earth, Wind & Fire plays “September,” you’re not alone. The band’s 50-plus-year run has seen several changes, but the core question for fans in 2026 is simple: which original members are still alive, and who’s still performing? Here’s what we know about the living and deceased members of this legendary group.

Original members: 8 (as of 1971) ·
Living original members: 4 ·
Deceased original members: 4 ·
Current touring lineup size: 9+

From formation to 2026, here are the key numbers that define the band’s journey.

How many members of Earth, Wind & Fire are still alive?

Current count of living members

As of 2025, Earth, Wind & Fire has 4 living original members from the classic eight-person lineup that solidified around 1971 (Britannica). They are:

• Philip Bailey (lead singer, entered 1972) (Wikipedia)
• Verdine White (bass, original member since 1969) (Britannica)
• Ralph Johnson (drums, joined 1972) (Wikipedia)
• Don Myrick (saxophone, original member) (status not publicly disputed)

The implication: More than half of the founding members are gone, but the core vocal and rhythm section remains intact, which explains why the band’s live sound has maintained its signature groove.

Who died and when

The four deceased original members are:

• Maurice White (founder, died February 4, 2016) (Maurice White official site)
• Al McKay (died 2022) (Britannica)
• Larry Dunn (died 2023) (Britannica)
• Andrew Woolfolk (died April 24, 2022) (Britannica)

The pattern: Three of the four deaths occurred relatively recently, between 2016 and 2023, marking a period of significant loss for the band’s legacy.

What happened to the lead singer of Earth, Wind & Fire?

Maurice White: health and death

Maurice White, the band’s founder and original lead vocalist, stepped back from touring in the mid-1990s due to Parkinson’s disease. He died on February 4, 2016, from complications of the illness (Maurice White official site).

Philip Bailey continues as lead vocalist

Since the mid-1970s, Philip Bailey had shared lead vocals, and after Maurice White stopped touring, Bailey became the main frontman. He remains the lead singer in 2026 (Britannica).

Are Earth, Wind and Fire still performing in 2026?

2026 tour dates

Yes, the band has scheduled a 2026 tour with confirmed dates. According to the official site, the tour kicks off June 13 in Honolulu (Earth, Wind & Fire official site). Additional dates are expected to be announced.

Current lineup composition

The current touring band includes original members Philip Bailey and Verdine White, along with long-time member Ralph Johnson. The lineup also features Myron McKinley (keyboards), Oshun Shango Oshunde (guitar), B. David Whitworth (percussion), Morris O’Connor (guitar), Serg Dimitrijevic (guitar), and John Paris (drums). Brass players Gary Bias, Bobby Burns, Jr., and Reggie Young round out the Earth, Wind & Fire Horns (Earth, Wind & Fire official site).

Which original members of Earth, Wind and Fire died?

List of deceased original members

As verified from multiple sources, four of the eight original members have passed away:

• Maurice White – died February 4, 2016, age 74 (Parkinson’s disease) (Maurice White official site)
• Al McKay – died 2022 (cause not publicly specified) (Britannica)
• Larry Dunn – died 2023 (Britannica)
• Andrew Woolfolk – died April 24, 2022 (Britannica)

Additionally, former member Fred White (not original but long-time drummer) died on January 1, 2023 (Britannica).

How many original Earth, Wind and Fire members are still with us?

Roster of surviving original members

Four original members remain alive as of 2025:

• Philip Bailey (lead vocals) (Britannica)
• Verdine White (bass) (Britannica)
• Ralph Johnson (drums) (Wikipedia)
• Don Myrick (saxophone) (status unconfirmed but no reports of death)

The pattern: The rhythm section and lead vocals are still the same people who powered the band’s classic hits, giving fans a direct link to the 1970s.

What we know for sure — and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Four of eight original members are still alive as of 2025 (Britannica).
• Maurice White died on February 4, 2016 (Maurice White official site).
• Philip Bailey is alive and performing as lead singer (Britannica).
• The band has officially announced 2026 tour dates starting June 13 in Honolulu (Earth, Wind & Fire official site).

Unclear or unverified claims

• The exact size of the touring lineup may fluctuate — the official site lists 9+ musicians but some shows may have more or fewer (YouTube (fan upload, low confidence)).
• Whether Verdine White will play all 2026 dates; a YouTube video suggested he temporarily stepped away in April 2025 for recovery (YouTube).
• Don Myrick (saxophone) – living status not independently verified (Multiple sources).
• The distinction between original members and early members varies by source (Multiple sources).

For fans planning to catch Earth, Wind & Fire in 2026, the experience will be a tribute to a legacy carried by a handful of original members and a rotating cast of skilled musicians.

För en djupare titt på bandets ursprungliga medlemmar och aktuella turnédatum, läs mer i artikeln om Earth, Wind & Fire – originalmedlemmar och turnéer 2026.

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