Rig Rundown - Earth, Wind & Fire's Verdine White

Article & photos: bit.ly/VerdineW...
Between soundcheck and a meet-and-greet appearance, Verdine White took a minute to talk music, tone, gear, and philanthropy with Premier Guitar’s John Bohlinger when Earth Wind and Fire played Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on their current world tour.
Throughout his influential career, Verdine White been courted by dozens of bass builder to play their gear. White began playing Sadowsky basses over a decade ago. Through this relationship he’s made some suggestions and tweaks that lead to the Sadowsky Verdine White Signature Bass.
Mr. White now tours with three of his sig basses, putting them through his aggressive, marathon set every night of the tour. He keeps the basses strung with DR Red Devil coated strings-.045, .065, .085, .105. All proceeds from the sales of his Sadowsky sig bass go to the Verdine White Performing Arts Center in L.A.
Continue learning about his gear: bit.ly/VerdineW...

[@greggharris3284]

Thank you Verdine and Maurice White and the entire Earth Wind and Fire family for all the beautiful music you have given to the world.

[@sbella6719]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I am so thankful!

[@bayesian2007]

EWF was a huge part of the soundtrack of my youth. You can set your metronome to their time. Killer grooves, horns and vocal harmonies.

[@tomcoryell]

Hell yeah!

[@howardr3055]

Verdine is absolutely an awesome bass player. Absolutely. Absolutely.

[@dennisstubblefield9131]

Exactly we have to give him his props

[@middlesidetopwise]

Making fun of how the man speaks is not a show of respect. Just say you’re racist, we all see you

[@EJ_Crough]

This guy has one of the most calming voices I've ever heard. Great interview!

[@MikeyVonSwank13]

EJ Crough for some reason I was expecting his voice to be higher pitched I don’t know why. But it is calming

[@thewomble1509]

@@MikeyVonSwank13 He actually has a very anglicised accent/way of speaking.

[@MikeyVonSwank13]

the womble after watching this someone posted “who would want to narrate your life?” I definitely picked Verdine

[@jameskelly315]

@@MikeyVonSwank13 most bassists have deep voices lol its weird lol

[@MeeMee-gz5vp]

Agreed he has a calming voice

[@paulsimmons5726]

What cool player and so laid back. I was impressed with his giving back to the school situation. Also neat to see he's taking bass lessons to improve and keep growing and from Ron Carter no less! Mr White, you're an inspiration for showing us that even the big guys are still learning!

[@JoeSzilagy]

The fact that Verdine not only plays great bass, but dances amazingly with all that energy, non-stop, during a whole concert is pretty amazing!

[@GS-uy4xo]

Not too many bassists who could give Verdine a lesson -- Ron Carter, say no more. I never knew Verdine played upright - and he's still taking lessons!! Massive respect -- thank you for all your gifts to us 🙏

[@JamesTorti]

He said that when he first started learning, that he was formally trained in classical bass before anything else. Life is constantly changing. We are learning moment to moment.

[@DrELewis2014]

Wow! A legend still taking lessons! That’s serious dedication to one’s craft👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Joemommas]

Man. His accent is just like Jimis. Reminds so much of him when he talks.

[@777jones]

Similar place and time! You are totally right. You can always track somebody's accent.

[@Eyeamsurreal]

Thank you, thank you for this video. Verdine White is such an amazing, humble person and a TITAN on bass.

[@paulmayerpiano]

What a treasure Verdine is. Extremely talented, knowledgeable, positive, energetic, cool. The man has it all.

[@businessbywebofficial]

EWF my favorite group of all time. This is an awesome interview. I feel like I was in the room. Thanks Verdine, Premier Guitar and everyone that made this interview happen.

[@the-LeoKnightus]

Any relation to the Other great Chicago R&B act...Curtis Mayfield?

[@cybrunel1016]

Amen brotha.

[@businessbywebofficial]

@@the-LeoKnightus I'm afraid not Leo. I never got to meet the man the legend. Even though he lived right here in my area a number of years.

[@MeeMee-gz5vp]

Love this comment. Verdine is such a gentleman in person!

[@torchandhammer]

I've never felt so good about life as after an EWF concert. Thank you Verdine for making the world a better place!

[@ObsidianLife]

The LEGEND!!! Met him at NAMM, literally just finished a conversation and turned and he was walking by...I was TOTALLY SHOOK! LOL! He just smiled and nodded...

[@markesertalkink8723]

I Play because of Verdine. I picked up bass In 1972 listening to last days and times. Thank you Verdine. I gig to this day because of you, Jaco, Stanley, graham and Bernard. B15, Ampeg.

[@RevMikeBlack]

What a great and decent man! I listen every day. Thank you, Verdine!

[@MeeMee-gz5vp]

EWF is just one of my favorite music groups, and Verdine is an amazing musician!

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

A MASTER.

[@ryanhallwrites]

Great interview with a beautiful guy. And with his energy on stage, you'd never imagine he'd be this chill and calming IRL.

[@danadane2501]

I'm a life long Metalhead and love old school Hardcore as my primary music to listen and play one bass . However Verdine is so incredible. Learn so much watching him play and speak . Classically trained yet is gifted with an ear for music . He knows when to keep the groove when to blow peoples minds and when to disappear from the mix .

[@keeponcruisin7876]

Same but Gen X. Brought up listening to all kinda ways to boogie. You're right though. Verdine is incredible in many ways.

[@isaiahdelacruz8703]

we need more people like him. such a chill dude

[@HiroForever]

At the same time his energy on stage is CRAZY

[@MeeMee-gz5vp]

He really is. His live performances are mesmerizing

[@SadowskyGuitars]

The actual controls are Master Volume, Pan, Passive Tone, Stacked Treble + Bass. Total bypass on the push pull passive tone pot.

[@69voxbeetle]

I would love to try one someday.

[@thejonesbass]

lmao

[@silverdroid]

I was kinda confused by that too because Roger generally doesn't use midrange controls.

[@bustabass9025]

Man, how embarrassing. Don't think I've ever seen anything like that before, where the manufacturer/sponsor vicariously steps on the interview of one of its celebrity endorsers, and corrects him on the functionality of the knobs. (Scratchin' head) 😕

[@flyniggasean7199]

I didn't see you mention active in that lineup.

[@skinengine]

Verdine, sir, nothing but praise to you, for the sunshine you add to my life.Your music has touched many ppl, all walks of life, and influenced oodles of musicians.The vibe of upbeat, funk, happy lyrics, excellent vocals and BUVs, horns, is infectious!

[@raphaeldukhan]

Spot On Larry Kendrick, Spot on. Same for me!!!

[@pmb6667]

As a concert photographer, I've had the pleasure of watching and photographing Verdine on stage with Earth, Wind and Fire. His energy is off the charts and so much fun! I'd finally picked up a bass recently and am taking lessons (online for now until this global 'lockdown' situation is over). I hope to play along with some of his grooves someday.

[@sirvicemanone]

Outstanding , i could have listened so much more. Mr White so kind and generous in sharing about his rig and his amazing life. Thanks John B. and PG your fine efforts are appreciated )

[@mcintoshcameron1955]

Verdine is one of my main influences playing bass. Absolutely love his style.

[@Iw-Files-UFO]

I totally adore him! Great PLAYER! THX EFW for everything!!!

[@MrThelonliestpunk]

Brilliant interview,who thumbs down this kind of thing ? Legend

[@ponchmaen]

Verdine White is one of my top three bass players of ALL TIME !! His showmanship is unequaled!! I first saw them in 1973!!! UNBELIEVABLE solo on a bass fiddle !! Never seen anything like him before or since !

[@murph7489]

I absolutely love this guy...such a great bass player and so nice..

[@youvegotmysong]

What a class act! Seems like a super awesome guy. Thanks for doing a bassist interview PG!

[@1j007zm]

Earth, wind, and fire concerts where a thing NOT! to be missed, especially when you would see Verdine White flying in midair playing his bass, and not missing a note!, best concerts ever!

[@donhart8922]

I am surprised that couch isn't frozen solid, givien the fact that Vedeen White is so fu¢*ing cool.

[@JohnNT]

What a lovely man, great interview!

[@thedcbroker7264]

Verdine wrote the book on cool. The only guy I’ve seen play killer grooving bass and dance all night at the same time. Incredible!!

[@asherbeal8357]

In awe! The music of my childhood. What an amazing and humble man. ❤️

[@Theweeze100]

Yeah all of us have tried to follow in his footsteps. Some mighty big shoes to fill, great interview. He has always struck me as a very composed and wholesome individual. I was really glad to hear that he still plays through SWR equipment. I still have a couple of pieces, they will get passed on to my “bass player” son because there’s nothing like that sound!

[@BenD_Bass]

Idk what it is about legendary bass players but they're so wise and philosophical lol. I've been watching a lot of interviews with the bass legends, Victor Wooten and Bootsie both blew my mind when I got to know them as people instead of just bass players. There's so much valuable information in their words!

[@siboyproductions1820]

I like mr verdine he's cool at the bass 🎸 guitar rip to his brother mr maurice i would of been excited to meet mr verdine who agrees

[@HiroForever]

I LOVE ME SOME VERDINE!!!! Watch how much INCREDIBLE ENERGY the guy has whenever he performs

[@Lollii_Popp]

He is the energy to the group. Such an awesome bass guitar player

[@fermgrip371]

Verdine White can play a thousand different notes on a bass and not even move his hands more than an inch around the thing. Legendary!

[@fermgrip371]

MorbidManMusic haa ha. Mann it's just that i saw this guy dance about stage nonstop for hours, not miss a note while singing and lugging about a P-Bass all the while his hands were barely moving. It was not a recording either he was really doing it!

[@lambert1702]

That's because he mimes to a track. www.talkbass.com/threads/verdine-white-tell-me-it-aint-so.762335/

[@WATCHMANNPC]

The bass in Mighty, Mighty...epic! This man is a legend!

[@bluespig1]

Love the casual couch vibe instead of the noisy soundcheck chaos. VW is a massive contributor to the best R&B. Thankyou.

[@stevemartin4249]

Wow ... I love EW&F, but when I heard Ron Carter's name mentioned ... I got goose bumps. Great rapport and interview!

[@rayemaxwell684]

Thank you MR. WHITE AND EWF for keeping good music ALIVE.

[@Azfun6]

Verdine is not just an amazing bass player, but an incredible entertainer too. I love watching him play, he just enjoys it so much and makes it look so easy. Truly a gifted player.

[@jasonlee8497]

He could do voice over gigs too!

[@homerotorres8822]

2 wonderful guys talking gear, just great!

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

EWF bring's me back to my youth, what an increddible nice man and great bassist.

[@sylart57]

Definitely, without a doubt one of the coolest, baddest, bass innovators on the scene today!!! Truly one of my main inspirations!!!

[@notarealpresident6849]

🎼I Am Blessed to have seen The Genius of Verdine 🎸 White LIVE in Concert since The Early 70's to Late 90's 🎼

[@stugreen7937]

Your a clown 😂

[@joekarl7342]

Great interview, what a gentleman....cool dude.

[@mattdawg83686]

I got to see Verdine play live in 2004, and there’s a reason he’s one of my favorite bass thumpers.

[@Dimefan91]

I love watching Verdine White interviews. For such a bombastic over the top band EWF was/is (the showman's showman kinda thing) Verdine remains the quiet introvert, who can calm a room without raising his voice, time slows down for him, and out of nowhere that spark of enthusiasm and passion flares up (Hot Rod talk). A gentleman among the peacocks that are funk musicians

[@charlieburns1385]

Awesome interview Thanks Earth ,W,F positive music ❤️🎶🙏

[@Frisbieinstein]

He's been my fave for a long long time. I saw 'em in Boston in 1973.

[@Blackshirtsguru]

He is one of the greatest bass players of all time!!!!

[@cantgetrightlife4427]

I Remember seeing Them Back when I was a little Boy EWF Came to My community & Did A free concert in Atlanta GA in Verdine inspired Me Back then when people Was Full of Life & Good to Each other One of My Favorite Bands . Thanks Verdine For Giving Back Doc

[@hughgerrard1129]

Among a handful of the coolest bass players ever.....

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

here's to the MASTER bass player, Verdine White....👍👍👍👍

[@fw750x]

Verdine White such a Laid back Guy , So passonate about His Music and Playing and endless Knowledge on anything to do with a Bass Guitar , Thank You Sir

[@rafbass]

I had the opportunity of photographing Ron Carter's concert (as a professional concert photographer) when he played in Rio de Janeiro, one of the best concerts I've worked at!

[@r613-v7y]

I met the band in 2006. I ended up on the road crew for a private show they did here in Montana. They weren't very social or personable at all but when they took the stage they killed it. I remember he did a rippin bass solo in one of the songs that had me damn near speechless

[@paulleeming5733]

Love the heart Verdine and what you are doing for the younger generations. Love my own Sadowsky too.

[@Ted_DiSanti]

I would love to be a fly on the wall for that Ron Carter lesson

[@johnnyepace5174]

Verdine is the Fire 🔥 of the EWF band.

[@kryptomiadeathmetalizer8628]

agree with that brother

[@onieonie7420]

Cant disagree with that. 🔥🔥🔥

[@HiroForever]

Johnnye Pace he’s got crazy, boundless energy performing!

[@HazardSports]

Definitely

[@KordTaylor]

What a gracious guy. And of course John is the perfect interviewer. 👏🏻

[@5urg3x]

This guy is an amazing bass player and an amazing artist all around, and a hilarious interview! Great job.

[@pg123ab]

I met him, what a nice and humble gentleman. 🙏

[@parrishpreston9238]

Wow he took lesson!!!! Never stop learning!!!

[@the1realanalogman]

What a great guy and wonderful musician! My son, his wife and I saw EWF in Orlando about 5 years ago (yeah, the show was ridiculous!) and we met some of the band after the show and had pictures taken. Verdine was so friendly and it was just like we were hangin out with friends! This is a terrific interview!

[@sammyvh11]

He can not only play he can dance. Great player.

[@JimMartiataka]

SO sad he didn't play a little! Love him though!

[@rickb1266]

Yeah, not much of him playing live one on one...When you see him playing by himself he is very limited.

[@carnivalminds]

Rick Barnes If by “limited” you mean fitting perfectly within a song that has 4-5 vocal parts.

[@rickb1266]

@@carnivalminds no, you don't understand my comment...

[@Makingdifference100]

I can hear Gary Byers playing some nice chords in the background of this video. This is so cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@Mason-Dain]

When this guy plays he comes with it

[@clarkclarke]

WoW!! Verdine even has a bass voice LOL!!!!

[@zororosario]

One of my favourite bass players of all time. Earth Wind & Fire grooves have been i, me for over 40 years, but I still can't play bass like Verdine .

[@LamontJackson]

Yes he is awesome but I'm sure you play very well too.

[@pilgrimMj]

Great job! It must be a different experience to do this type of interview without seeing all the gear.

[@roadkillsrus]

I saw EW&F in 1973; they were the middle act before Uriah Heep. They weren't huge yet, but had a following. They were playing a bit funkier, rockier stuff than what became their big hits. Verdine, shirtless, jumped down into the crowd at one point. He spent several minutes dancing through the crowd with what must have been a 200 foot cord. At one point he ended up making out with a woman for at least half a minute. Then he danced back to the stage and jumped up onto it. (Four feet?) Verdine. Never. Missed. A. Beat. I became an instant fan.

[@johnniemcelveen609]

Awesome interview

[@johnreynolds8508]

So cool to hear this legend talk

[@marvinhagler4721]

This man is the ABSOLUTE..ABSOLUTE TRUTH.....

[@madametia5379]

This was awesome! Everytime I see Verdine I scream "EWF Bass Man" and get all excited!😀😀😀😀

[@iplaythebass4u]

Great Interview Verdine, and beautiful Ax my brotha. Keep doin whacha doin,

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

He is the real deal! Love his bass playing.

[@spyderlogan4992]

"I want the amp Larry Graham has..." So Great. And every time I see Verdine on stage, he is the happiest man on the Earth.

[@terrellclay5792]

Spyder Logan I've seen EWF 8 times (never with Maurice unfortunately) and Verdine stole the show by a mile almost every time. He is an absolute joy to watch.

[@MOA0831]

VerdineWhite is the 🔥🔥..of EWF, Phil and the others are the wind 🌫️& 🌍..

[@dfreeman120]

Verdine is an absolute legend and great person . Bomaye ❤❤❤

[@andrewperry3145]

Verdine is the real McCoy.love that bass.oh yeah saw Earth wind and fire in concert.all about the bass.

[@tab89]

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall at the bass lesson Ron Carter gave Verdine White!

[@Eric_DiRisio]

lol I actually got to tear down keyboards as a local stagehand for these guys this year and walk in their dressing room and see them backstage. this is too cool man

[@starbright523]

I so love you Verdine!!!!

[@richardwright1639]

Verdine White, EW&F bassist... tight👍... another influence for me..

[@derrick_smitty]

Great interview

[@MaskedRiderChris]

Keeping kids off the street by teaching them that real music is the key to life is a colossal thing he's doing, and a soft-spoken, articulate, modest fellow like Verdine White is a great role model for kids, IMO. One of the best bassists in America, for sure, and to think he was behind some of the greatest R&B grooves ever written is a humbling thing when approaching him. I just wish that the interviewer had curbed his enthusiasm a bit more and let Verdine talk, with that in mind.

[@shredders3881]

IMHO, Verdine is hands-down the greatest showman of all time.

[@kwik2hear915]

Great interview.

[@morrisman64]

Great interview thanks for this post

[@steventoddscorpiomusic5588]

It is a source of great pride for me I being friends with ShellyClarkWhite... great man and Legend

[@penisonburton1084]

A lot of people think " Rock Stars" are druggies , drinkers party all the time on and off the stage . As you see this man is cool , calm and collective . He does play Bass , the Bass plays him !!! Thats how close he is to his ax .Thats true love .

[@junemccullum2144]

WOW! HE IS REALLY GOOD! MY FIANCÉ’ IS A BASS GUITAR PLAYER AND HE REALLY LOVES VERDINE! I CAN SEE WHY! TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

[@daved974]

Thanks Premier for playing Kalimba Story off the Open Your Eyes recording. yeah voice kinda Jimi also John Kay from Steppenwolf to me. Thank you Verdine - still jam out on of EWF