With barely two months into 2016, the music industry has already seen a bevy of powerful losses. Maurice White, founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire passed away in his sleep today at age 74. The Memphis native was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the late ‘80s, forcing him off the stage by 1994. He founded Earth, Wind & Fire in 1969, and is the older brother of fellow member Verdine White. He was also a producer, co-lead singer, and main writer for the group. Born in December 1941, he would relocate from Tennessee to Chicago after high school. It was there that White was introduced to the music business as…