Earth, Wind & Fire
Encyclopedia
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul
and R&B
band formed in Chicago
, Illinois
, in 1969 by Verdine
and Maurice White
. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Award
s and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
. Rolling Stone
has described them as "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and has also declared that the band "changed the sound of black pop". In 1998, they were ranked at number 60 on VH1
's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Rock N' Roll
.
The band's music contains elements of African
, Latin American
, funk
, soul music
, pop
and rock music
, jazz
and other genres. The band is known for the dynamic sound of their horn section
, and the interplay between the contrasting vocals of Philip Bailey
's falsetto
and Maurice White's tenor
. The kalimba
(African thumb piano) is played on all of the band's albums.
, a former session drummer for Chess Records
and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, joined two friends in Chicago
, Wade Flemons
and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team composing songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol
, and called themselves the "Salty Peppers," and had a marginal hit in the Midwestern area called "La La Time".
The Salty Peppers' second single, "Uh Huh Yeah," did not fare as well, and Maurice moved from Chicago to Los Angeles
. He then added to the band singer Sherry Scott and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel both from Chicago, and then asked his younger brother Verdine
how he would feel about heading out to the west coast. On June 6, 1970, Verdine left Chicago to join the band as their new bassist. Maurice began shopping demo tapes of the band, featuring Donny Hathaway
, around to different record labels and the band was thus signed to Warner Bros. Records
.
Maurice's astrological sign
, Sagittarius
, has a primary elemental
quality of Fire
and season
al qualities of Earth
and Air
q.v. (Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the fall, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air. Hence the omission of Water
, the fourth classical element
). Based on this, he changed the band's name, to "Earth, Wind & Fire". Maurice (mbira
) held further auditions in L.A. adding Michael Beale on guitar
, Chester Washington on reeds
, and Leslie Drayton on trumpet
who also served as the group's musical arranger. Trombonist Alex Thomas, and electric pianist and vocalist Wade Flemons completed the then ten-man EWF lineup.
The band's self-titled debut album, Earth, Wind, Fire
, was released in February of 1971 to critical acclaim, as was November 1971's The Need of Love
. Both albums were produced by Joe Wissert
and a single, from The Need of Love called "I Think About Lovin' You'(lead vocals by member Sherry Scott)'" provided EWF with their first Top 40 R&B hit. In 1971, the group also recorded the soundtrack
of the Melvin Van Peebles
film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
,. The soundtrack was recorded at the Paramount Recording Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard and released on Stax records. The band also developed a growing popularity on college campuses but in spite of this some members of EWF started to become restless and the band broke up after having been together for less than six months. With only Verdine left, Maurice decided to re-form the group.
, a former member of the R&B group The Friends of Distinction, Ronnie Laws
on the flute
and the saxophone
, rhythm guitarist Roland Bautista
, keyboardist Larry Dunn
, percussionist Ralph Johnson
and vocalist and Denver native Philip Bailey
to the group. Warner Brothers didn't know how to promote this new combo as the only other funk band on their label was Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
.
The band successfully auditioned for managers Bob Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo and Cavallo's management of John Sebastian
led to a series of gigs as the opening act for the pop/folk singer and The Lovin' Spoonful
founder. A performance at New York's Rockefeller Center
introduced EWF to Clive Davis
, who was then the President of Columbia Records
. Davis was very impressed with the band's performance and bought their contract from Warner Bros. Their debut album on CBS/Columbia Records Last Days and Time
featured mostly original material, but Bailey had recommended that the band cover the Pete Seeger
song, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
", and the elements also remade the Bread
hit "Make It with You
".
The album Head to the Sky
was released in the spring of 1973. Head to the Sky gave the group their first two legitimate hit singles, Evil
, which was co-written by Maurice and Philip, and "Keep Your Head to the Sky
", both of which reached the top 30 and the top 60 on the R&B and pop charts respectively. After the release of this album some personnel changes took place as Ronnie Laws, Roland Bautista and Jessica Cleaves left the band so as to pursue new musical opportunities and the aalbum was also their last to be produced by Joe Wissert.. Philip Bailey had recommended his former Denver East High School classmate, saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk to the band. Woolfolk had been busy in New York studying sax with sax maestro Joe Henderson
and was about to start a career in banking when Bailey called. To fill the void created by Batistuta's departure, rhythm guitarists Al McKay
, who had performed with the Ike and Tina Turner Revue and The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band and Johnny Graham from R&B group New Birth
were added to round out the new lineup. As some of the band's songs required lower vocals than that of Bailey's, and due to the success of "Evil", Maurice altered his role in the group to incorporate the role of lead vocalist.
Recorded at Colorado
's Caribou Ranch Studio
, and released in 1974 the studio album Open Our Eyes
was a commercially successful LP selling over a millon copies in the US and thus certified platinum. Open Our Eyes was co-produced by Producer
and songwriter
Charles Stepney
with White at Maurice's request. Stepney had previously worked with The Dells
, The Rotary Connection, Terry Callier
, Minnie Riperton
and the Ramsey Lewis Trio tom name a few. Released in May 1974, the single "Mighty Mighty
" became Earth, Wind & Fire's first top 30 hit on the pop charts, peaking at No.29. Another single, "Devotion", was a song with a strong spiritual message. This album also saw the inclusion of Maurice's younger brother, Fred White, into the band. Fred had played in Chicago clubs as a drummer with Donny Hathaway
and Little Feat
.
On April 6, 1974, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the California Jam
, which was a West Coast rock festival that attracted an audience of 200,000. Also in 1974, the band collaborated with Ramsey Lewis on his album Sun Goddess
, which reached number one on the Billboard Jazz and Black Album charts and has been certified gold in the U.S by the RIAA.
In 1975, Earth, Wind & Fire worked with Sig Shore
, the producer of the motion picture Super Fly, on a new film about the dark side of the recording industry. That's The Way Of The World
starred Earth, Wind & Fire as "The Group", a new recording act and in the film, Harvey Keitel
hears "The Group" performing, and produces their first album. The film's title is repeated throughout the film as a shrug of the shoulders to the music world. Earth, Wind & Fire performed songs in the film and Maurice had a small speaking part, as leader of "The Group". When the band saw the film, they were convinced that the motion picture would be a bomb
which it eventually was. To avoid being connected to the movie they released the album's soundtrack which was also titled That's the Way of the World
before it's premiere. Co produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney and recorded at the Caribou Ranch Studio That's the Way of the World
became Earth, Wind & Fire's breakthrough album
going to number one on the pop and R&B charts.
Described as "one of the strongest albums of the 70's", "EWF's crowning achievement" and "a very tightly produced and performed package" by by Allmusic's Alex Henderson and Billboard Magazine respectively. That's the Way of the World fostered EWF becoming the first black act to top both the Billboard album and singles charts. The album went triple platinum and included the hit singles "Shining Star" which got to number one on the R&B Singles and Billboard Hot 100 and won the band a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
and "That's the Way of the World
" which went to number five and number 12 on the R&B Singles and Billboard Hot 100 respectively. "Shining Star"'s origins came during a nightly walk that Maurice had during the band's recording of "That's the Way of the World", when looking up towards the starry sky, he gined inspiration and took his concepts for the song to the other band members. Because of the tremendous commercial success of "That's The Way Of The World", the band could then afford to hire a full horn section
entitled the Phenix Horns
who became an integral part of the band's sound. The Phenix Horns was composed of saxophonist Don Myrick
, trombonist Louis Satterfield, both of whom worked with Maurice during his Chess Records session days, and trumpeters
Rahmlee Davis and Michael Harris
.
After returning from their first European tour with Santana
, Columbia Records wanted another album released and so the band returned to the studio in June of 1975. From these sessions came two singles "Sing a Song
" and "Can't Hide Love
", the latter written by Clarence "Skip" Scarborough. These songs were included along with other studio songs on Gratitude, a double album composed mostly of live concert material from their 1974 and 1975 tours. Gratitude stayed at number one on the pop and R&B charts for three weeks and with it's release the Phenix Horns got their first credits on an EWf album. Also in 1975, Earth, Wind & Fire won Down Beat
magazine's Readers Poll for favorite Rock/Blues Group.
Maurice created and developed a production company entitled Kalimba Productions in late 1975. Two artists that he had signed to Kalimba Productions were vocalist Deniece Williams
, a former member of Stevie Wonder
's Wonderlove backup group, and the girl group
, The Emotions
, who had a run of hits with Stax Records from 1969 to 1974. Maurice loaned the band's signature Phoenix Horns and most of the band members to his other production projects and put on tour some of the acts that he was producing at the time. Sadly in 1976, Charles Stepney, after helping co-produce and arrange Earth, Wind & Fire's new album, Deniece Williams's debut album, This Is Niecy
, and The Emotion's first Columbia Records
album Flowers
, died of a heart attack
May 17 in Chicago
at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife Rubie, his three daughters, Eibur, Charlene and Chante, his parents and his brother.
With Stepney's death Maurice took over and completed the production of the band's new album, called Spirit
, which was released October 1976. EWF paid tribute to Stepney in the form of the album and included were the hit singles "Getaway
" and "Saturday Nite
". "Getaway" was written by Bernard(Beloyd)Taylor and Peter Cor Belenky and was one of the small number of EWF's hits that was written by someone from outside of the group .
The band's concerts during this time were loaded with pyrotechnics, magic, laser lights, flying pyramids, levitating guitarists and elaborate production tricks, that included the entire group ascending in a pyramid and a disappearing act, which saw EWF literally vanishing from sight. Magician Doug Henning
directed many of their tours throughout the 1970s with his young assistant, David Copperfield
. Their concerts were choreographed by George Faison
.
November 1977, the group released another studio LP, All 'N All
. Starting with this album, the Japanese artist Shusei Nagaoka
began doing the artwork and the illustrations for several of Earth, Wind & Fire's album cover
s. With its Egyptian/African themed album cover, All 'N All featured the hit singles "Serpentine Fire
" and "Fantasy
", and has achieved triple platinum status. In 1978, EWF picked up three Grammy Awards, the third for their version of The Beatles' "Got to Get You into My Life
". This song, as well as the band, were featured in the movie, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band
. The film itself was a commercial bomb; however, "Got to Get You into My Life" was the biggest hit from the movie's soundtrack, reaching numbers one and nine on the R&B and Pop singles charts, respectively.
1978
was also the year that Maurice and managers Cavallo and Ruffalo worked out a deal for the launch of a new record label called The American Recording Company (ARC), to be distributed through CBS and the creation of a recording studio, George Massenburg
/ARC also called "The Complex" in West Los Angeles. The year ended with another hit single, "September", which was added to the quintuple platinum
compilation album, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1
, and was released November 23, 1978, just four days before Thanksgiving.
At this time, Bobby Harris of the Dazz Band
requested and got Philip Bailey to produce the group's first album, Kinsman Dazz. Bailey would also co-produce the second album, Dazz and had a major input into the group's vocal arrangements. In 1979, the band performed "September" and "That's The Way Of The World" at the Music for UNICEF Concert
, which was broadcast worldwide from the United Nations General Assembly
for NBC
. The band donated their royalties from one of their songs to UNICEF.
1979 also saw the release of I Am
, the group's ninth album, their seventh for Columbia and their second to be released on the ARC label. Songs from the album included "In the Stone", "Can't Let Go" and the much-anticipated, but sad ballad, "After the Love Has Gone
" by David Foster, which went to the number 2 spot on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and won for the Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards of 1980
.
Early 1979 saw the band touring overseas, headlining shows in Europe and Japan. Though the band had previously overlooked disco, the summer of 1979 saw EWF topping the dance music charts with their most disco inspired single "Boogie Wonderland
", which was produced by Maurice and Al McKay, and featured The Emotions. Even with the song's success, Verdine White claims that band is not a disco band, saying "I guess you could say we were at the party but didn’t get on the dance floor".
The double-album Faces, the group's tenth album, was released October 1980 and went gold. In a 2007 interview, when asked which EWF album is his favorite, Maurice White replied "Probably Faces because we were really in tune, playing together and it gave us the opportunity to explore new areas". After the release of this album, longtime rhythm guitarist Al McKay left the band to pursue production interests and was replaced by returning electric guitarist Roland Bautista
, giving the band a bit of a hard rock feel. Phil Collins
saw EWF while they were on one of their European tours and came in contact with the Phenix Horns
, where they later worked on Genesis
songs like "No Reply At All" and "Paperlate", and on his solo hits, like "I Missed Again" and "Sussudio
".
, EWF's eleventh album was released in the fall of 1981 and it featured their million selling hit single "Let's Groove
", and the Grammy Award winning "Wanna Be With You
". October 30, 1981, Earth, Wind & Fire appeared at American Bandstand
's 30th Anniversary Special where they performed Let's Groove.
Powerlight
was released in early 1983 and included the hit singles "Fall In Love With Me
" a number 17 pop hit, and "Side By Side." "Powerlight" went gold. Also in 1983, Earth, Wind & Fire contributed the song "Dance, Dance, Dance" to the soundtrack of the animated film Rock & Rule. Maurice put the band on hiatus in 1983 after the synthesized Electric Universe
was released in late 1983 to a poor critical and commercial reception. Maurice White attributes the album's lack of success to its release so quickly after Powerlight.
During their hiatus, Philip Bailey released his second and most successful solo project, the gold album Chinese Wall
, which also featured the Phenix Horns
. The first single from that Phil Collins
produced album, a duet with Collins called "Easy Lover
", sold over a million copies and also reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video of Bailey and Collins rehearsing their collaboration hit #1 on MTV's video playlist, and won an MTV video music award. During this period, Bailey also released a number of gospel
albums, and one of them, Triumph
, won him a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male
. Also, during the hiatus, Verdine White worked behind the scenes, writing and directing videos. He produced the Level 42
album Standing in the Light
, with Larry Dunn, and promoted go-go bands like Trouble Funk
and E.U.
Maurice White during this time produced for Barbra Streisand
on her platinum album Emotion
and worked with Neil Diamond
on his gold album Headed for the Future
and Cher
on her 1987 platinum album Cher
. He also released the solo album Maurice White
in 1985, which included a cover of "Stand by Me
", which went to number 6 on the R&B charts and number 11 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The album also featured an appearance by saxophonist Gerald Albright
. The compilation album The Collection
was released May 1986 and this album went to number 5 on the UK singles charts for two weeks and was certified gold in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry
.
In 1987, CBS Records convinced Philip Bailey and Maurice White that a reunion of Earth, Wind & Fire would be beneficial for all parties. Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Andrew Woofolk would also return and new to the group were guitarist/vocalist Sheldon Reynolds
, lead guitarist Dick Smith
, drummer Sonny Emory
,and a new horn section dubbed the Earth, Wind & Fire Horns made up of Gary Bias on the saxophone, Raymond Lee Brown
on the trumpet and flugelhorn and trombonist Reggie Young. The band's reunion fostered the 1987 Gold album Touch the World
, which went onto number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 33 on The Billboard 200.
Featured on the album was a song penned by an unknown songwriter by the name of Skylark called "System of Survival
". Released as a single the song became a hit reaching number one on the Billboard R&B charts and Dance charts, and another single called "Thinking Of You
" peaked at number one and number 3 on the R&B and Dance charts.
released in 1988. Their final Columbia album was 1990's Heritage, which featured a collaboration with Sly Stone
of Sly & the Family Stone
. 1993 saw the Warner Bros. release Millennium
. The single "Sunday Morning
" from Millennium gained a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The album also featured the Prince
written track Super Hero.
July 30, 1993, Phoenix Horns saxophonist Don Myrick
was fatally shot by the Los Angeles Police Department in a case of mistaken identity and October 13, 1993, former Earth, Wind & Fire member Wade Flemons
died from cancer in Battle Creek, Michigan
.
In 1994, Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the NAACP Hall Of Fame
. September 15, 1995, Earth, Wind & Fire was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
. All the original members of the group showed up. Maurice White attributed EWF's success to the support of their fans. During this time, Maurice White retired from touring with the band for health reasons, concentrating more on producing and developing new Earth, Wind & Fire recordings and working with other artists. Philip Bailey was then given the role of onstage leader of the band. The studio album In the Name of Love
was released in 1997 on Pyramid Records. EWF performed at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival
and gave an encore performance the following year. Their performance was released on the DVD Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997
. In 1999 Earth, Wind & Fire performed on the A&E Network
show Live by Request
.
Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
March 6, 2000, by rapper Lil' Kim to a standing ovation
. The band's original members Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woofolk, Fred White and Johnny Graham played together for the first time in 20 years at the ceremony performing Shining Star and That's The Way Of The World. After their induction into the Hall of Fame an effort was made by the original band members to have a full reunion but it didn't work out. June 20, 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire were the special musical guests at a White House
state dinner
hosted by President Bill Clinton held in a tent on the South Lawn
of the White House
, held in honor of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco and Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem. So impressed was he by the band's performance that the king personally requested that Earth, Wind & Fire perform in Morocco for his 37th birthday celebration, which took place August 21, 2000.
In 2001, EWF released a biography of the band, Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire
, directed by Kathryn Arnold. Following the September 11 attacks, the band members donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross at a September 13 show at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater in Virginia, which was the band's first concert since the events took place.
February 24, 2002, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics
held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Maurice White released on his own label Kalimba Records the album Live In Rio
in 2002, a live album
from the band's 1980 performance in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
June 17, 2002, EWF accepted the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California
. The award was presented by Jimmy Jam, ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman and Stevie Wonder
. In 2003 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
and Earth, Wind & Fire were also inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk July 7, 2003.
The Promise
, the band's first studio album in six years was released in 2003. The Promise received critical acclaim upon its release with Blender Magazine calling the album "a classy collection" and People Magazine describing The Promise as "musically rich". The Promise included songs reminiscent of classic EW&F such as the kalimba laden track "All in the Way
", which reunited EWF with The Emotions, and Betcha' and also on it were two previously unreleased songs from the "I Am" sessions titled "Where Do We Go From Here" and "Dirty". The Promise went to number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and the song Hold Me from The Promise was Grammy nominated for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
.
, Los Angeles
, California. Other artists who performed in this tribute were OutKast
, Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Parliament Funkadelic. EWF sang "Shining Star" and then at Outkast's request crooned "The Way You Move
" with them, and then teamed up with the other bands to sing Parliment Funkadelic's classic Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)
.
In the middle of 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire signed a record deal with Sanctuary Urban Records Group, owned by Mathew Knowles
, who is the father and manager of r&b/pop singer Beyoncé
. Earth, Wind & Fire contributed to the Jimi Hendrix Tribute album which was released in May 4, 2004, Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
with a cover of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
". Gary Bias and Bob Burns Jr. of the Earth, Wind & Fire Horns were featured on Queen Latifah
's The Dana Owens Album
which was released on September 28, 2004. The album got to 16 and 11 on The Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts respectively and was certitified gold. Earth, Wind & Fire appeared on Kenny G
's the track "The Way You Move
", which he released in November 2004 and got to number 12 on the Adult Contemporary singles chart.
On December 11, 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire were honored at the first annual Grammy Jam held at Los Angeles's Wiltern Theater. Paying tribute to the band in the form of performances at the event were several artists including Stevie Wonder
, Yolanda Adams
, Sheila E.
, Miri Ben-Ari
, George Duke
, Kanye West
and Randy Jackson
and celebrities that attended the jam were Pamela Anderson
, Tim Allen
, Prince
, Mathew Knowles
, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
, Nick Cannon
and Suzanne de Passe
. On December 31, 2004, EWF performed on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
. and January 19, 2005, the band featuring Kenny G performed "The Way You Move" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
On September 20, 2005 EWF released the single "Show Me the Way", on which they paired up with neo soul artist Raphael Saadiq
. The single garnered a Grammy nomination and was featured on their nineteeth studio album Illumination
, which was released on the same day. On this album EWF collaborated with artists such as Will.i.am
, Kelly Rowland
, Outkast's Big Boi
and Brian McKnight
. Illumination got to number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart and number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another single "Pure Gold
" reached number 23 on the Adult Contemporary Charts. Allmusic's Rob Theakston has referred to the album as an "outstanding record" and Steve Jones of USA Today
remarked that on the album EWF are as "vibrant as ever". The album got a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album and EWF were also nominated for a Soul Train
Music Award in the category R&B-soul album, group, band or duo for Illumination. EWF also received a NAACP Image Award
nomination for Best Duo or Group.
Earth, Wind & Fire performed with The Black Eyed Peas
at the Super Bowl XXXIX
pregame show in Jacksonville, Florida
on February 6, 2005 singing "Where Is the Love?
" and "Shining Star". March 2005 EWF performed in Russia for the first time.
In 2004 Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago
embarked upon a joint tour. The tour gave rise to a DVD entitled Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre, which was released June 28, 2005, and was certified platinum
just two months after its release. Chicago and EWF toured together again in 2005and Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with Chicago for a new recording of Chicago's ballad "If You Leave Me Now
" that was included on Chicago's 2005 compilation album Love Songs.
September 18, 2005, they performed along with The Black Eyed Peas
as part of an opening act for the 57th Primetime Emmy Awards
. Their performance marked the first time a musical artist has opened at the annual Emmy Awards show. On September 27, 2005, former Earth, Wind & Fire member and member of the Phoenix Horns trombonist Louis Satterfield died. For the 2005 holiday season, David Foster, Maurice White and Philip Bailey wrote the Christmas
-themed track "Gather Round", which was produced and arranged by Foster. The song was placed onto the album Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection. Maurice worked with Gregory Hines
's brother, Maurice Hines
in 2006 to release the Broadway play Hot Feet
, a jukebox musical
featuring the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. White wrote several new songs along with Allee Willis
for the play.
On February 11, 2007, EWF along with Mary J Blige and Ludacris performed the song "Runaway Love
" at the 49th Grammy Awards.
Maurice was the executive producer of an album Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire
, released March 27, 2007. It featured cover versions of Earth, Wind & Fire's songs performed by artists such as Chaka Khan
, Kirk Franklin
, Lalah Hathaway, Mint Condition
and Angie Stone
. From this album renditions of "That’s The Way Of The World" performed by Dwele
and Fantasy performed by Meshell Ndegeocello were each nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance
.
On April 25, 2007, the band was the opening act for the highly touted and publicized special edition of the reality TV series American Idol
, "Idol Gives Back" where they performed a medley of "Boogie Wonderland", "Shining Star" and "September". On December 11, 2007, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
, which took place in Oslo
, Norway
, and was hosted by Kevin Spacey and Uma Thurman and also featured other performances by Melissa Etheridge, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox and Kylie Minouge. The Nobel Peace Prize Concert was broadcast to over 100 countries.
On February 20, 2008, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the Viña del Mar Festival
, in Viña del Mar, Chile
on the festival's opening night. For their performance the public awarded them with the "Gaviota de Plata" or the Silver Seagull, the highest award that can presented to an artist performing at the festival, which is one of the largest musical events in Latin America.
As a curiosity, the fanfare introduction to their song "In the Stone" has been used many years in this festival as introducing theme for the broadcasting of this event.
On May 18, 2008, Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey and Verdine White each received an honorary degree from the Arts and Media College at Columbia College Chicago
during the college's 2008 commencement exercises. Verdine and Philip both gave remarks during the ceremony, which was followed by an impromptu performance of "Shining Star" by all four. On August 25, EWF performed at the opening ceremony of the 2008 US Open, which was hosted by Forrest Whitaker. The event commemorated the 40th anniversary of the founding of tennis’s Open Era with a parade of more than 25 former US Open singles champions. In November 2008 Verdine White
was presented with Bass Player
magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award by fellow bass guitarist Nathan East
.
Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the White House
on February 22, 2009 with Wayne T, at the Governors' Dinner, which was the first formal White House dinner hosted by President
Barack Obama
and First Lady
Michelle Obama
. The band will tour once again with Chicago
for a 2009 tour of thirty US cities. EWF are also planning to release a three-disc package through a major retailer in 2009, which would include a studio album of new material, a live album and a concert DVD. On April 26, 2009, EWF performed at the 39th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
. They also performed at the 40th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
, replacing Aretha Franklin
. They performed at the Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Nights New West Fest, August 21, 2010.
Earth, Wind & Fire members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson participated in the recording of the We Are the World 25 for Haiti
single.
Point of Grace
, D'Angelo
, Pomplamoose
Lenny White
, Patti LaBelle
, The Manhattans
, Wynonna Judd
, Yolanda Adams
, Donny Osmond
, Chaka Khan
, 112
, the Vienna Boys' Choir
, Herb Alpert
, Musiq Soulchild, and Tito Puente
.
Earth, Wind & Fire's songs have been sampled by numerous artists, including UGK
, A Tribe Called Quest
, Wyclef Jean
, Jay-Z
, Amerie
, The Fugees
, LL Cool J
, De La Soul
, Common, Frank Zappa
, Naughty by Nature
, P Diddy, The Roots
, Will Smith
, Cee-Lo Green, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez
of TLC
and MC Lyte
.
Earth, Wind & Fire have influenced artists such as Usher
, Will.i.am
, Mary J. Blige
, Prince
, Pharrell Williams
, India.Arie
, The Neptunes
, Jon Secada
, Wyclef Jean
, Common, Phil Collins
, Boney James
, Angie Stone
, Raphael Saadiq
, The All-American Rejects
, Jesse McCartney
, Musiq Soulchild, Solange Knowles
, Babyface, OutKast
, Jamiroquai
, Five for Fighting
, Lenny Kravitz
,
Marc Broussard
, Omarion
, Rob Bourdon of Linkin Park
, Eric Benét
, Jill Scott
, Justin Timberlake
, Sheila E.
, Marcus Miller
, Erykah Badu
, Jamie Foxx
, Patrick Stump
of Fall Out Boy
, Meshell Ndegeocello, Wynton Marsalis
, and Mario.
Miles Davis
described EWF as his "all time favorite band" saying, "they have everything (horns, electric guitar, singers and more) in one band". Quincy Jones
has proclaimed himself to be the "biggest fan of Earth, Wind & Fire since day one." Dionne Warwick
has named Earth, Wind & Fire as her favorite group of all time.
In the movie BAADASSSSS!
, the actor Khalil Kain
portrayed a young Maurice White leading the early incarnation of Earth, Wind & Fire. Released at the Sundance Film Festival
, the film was based on Melvin Van Peebles' struggle to film and distribute the movie Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
and was directed by his son Mario Van Peebles
.
The following albums reached the Top Ten on either the United States Billboard 200
pop albums chart or the United Kingdom UK Albums Chart
.
Top 10 singles
The following singles reached the Top Ten on either the United States Billboard Hot 100
pop singles chart or the United Kingdom UK Singles Chart
.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
band formed in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, in 1969 by Verdine
Verdine White
Verdine White is the bassist for Earth, Wind & Fire and the younger brother of fellow band member Maurice White. White is known for his high energy and dancing while playing his bass guitar during Earth, Wind & Fire concerts.-Early life:...
and Maurice White
Maurice White
Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Vocal Group Hall of Fame
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor outstanding vocal groups throughout the world. It is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes a theater and a museum....
. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
has described them as "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and has also declared that the band "changed the sound of black pop". In 1998, they were ranked at number 60 on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Rock N' Roll
The Greatest (TV series)
The Greatest is a VH1 series. Each episode counts down either songs, albums, music videos, moments, musicians, or celebrities of a particular category.-Episodes:-References:...
.
The band's music contains elements of African
Music of Africa
Africa is a vast continent and its regions and nations have distinct musical traditions. The music of North Africa for the most part has a different history from sub-Saharan African music traditions....
, Latin American
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and other genres. The band is known for the dynamic sound of their horn section
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
, and the interplay between the contrasting vocals of Philip Bailey
Philip Bailey
Philip Irvin Bailey is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter, percussionist and actor, best known as one of the longtime members of Earth, Wind & Fire. Together with Verdine White, B. David Whitworth, and Ralph Johnson he forms the heart of the current EWF line-up on...
's falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
and Maurice White's tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
. The kalimba
Thumb piano
The thumb piano is an African musical instrument, a type of plucked idiophone common throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.-Description:Each note of a kalimba, mbira, etc. is a separate idiophone, and in orchestral terms, the instrument as a whole belongs in the bar percussion family...
(African thumb piano) is played on all of the band's albums.
Early years
In 1962, Maurice WhiteMaurice White
Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
, a former session drummer for Chess Records
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, joined two friends in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Wade Flemons
Wade Flemons
Wade Flemons was an American soul singer.Born in Coffeyville, Kansas, Flemons began recording solo work in 1958, but is best remembered for his work as a musician and vocalist in the pop band Earth, Wind & Fire between 1970 and 1973...
and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team composing songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and called themselves the "Salty Peppers," and had a marginal hit in the Midwestern area called "La La Time".
The Salty Peppers' second single, "Uh Huh Yeah," did not fare as well, and Maurice moved from Chicago to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He then added to the band singer Sherry Scott and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel both from Chicago, and then asked his younger brother Verdine
Verdine White
Verdine White is the bassist for Earth, Wind & Fire and the younger brother of fellow band member Maurice White. White is known for his high energy and dancing while playing his bass guitar during Earth, Wind & Fire concerts.-Early life:...
how he would feel about heading out to the west coast. On June 6, 1970, Verdine left Chicago to join the band as their new bassist. Maurice began shopping demo tapes of the band, featuring Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway
Donny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music."His collaborations...
, around to different record labels and the band was thus signed to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
.
Maurice's astrological sign
Astrological sign
Astrological signs represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of "as above, so below", so that the twelve signs are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes...
, Sagittarius
Sagittarius (astrology)
Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the 240th and 269th degree of celestial longitude...
, has a primary elemental
Classical element
Many philosophies and worldviews have a set of classical elements believed to reflect the simplest essential parts and principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution and fundamental powers of anything are based. Most frequently, classical elements refer to ancient beliefs...
quality of Fire
Fire (classical element)
Fire has been an important part of all cultures and religions from pre-history to modern day and was vital to the development of civilization. It has been regarded in many different contexts throughout history, but especially as a metaphysical constant of the world.-Greek and Roman tradition:Fire...
and season
Season
A season is a division of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight.Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution...
al qualities of Earth
Earth (classical element)
Earth, home and origin of humanity, has often been worshipped in its own right with its own unique spiritual tradition.-European tradition:Earth is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It was commonly associated with qualities of heaviness, matter and the...
and Air
Air (classical element)
Air is often seen as a universal power or pure substance. Its supposed fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such as aspire, inspire, perspire and spirit, all derived from the Latin spirare.-Greek and Roman tradition:...
q.v. (Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the fall, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air. Hence the omission of Water
Water (classical element)
Water is one of the elements in ancient Greek philosophy, in the Asian Indian system Panchamahabhuta, and in the Chinese cosmological and physiological system Wu Xing...
, the fourth classical element
Classical element
Many philosophies and worldviews have a set of classical elements believed to reflect the simplest essential parts and principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution and fundamental powers of anything are based. Most frequently, classical elements refer to ancient beliefs...
). Based on this, he changed the band's name, to "Earth, Wind & Fire". Maurice (mbira
Mbira
In African music, the mbira is a musical instrument that consists of a wooden board to which staggered metal keys have been attached. It is often fitted into a resonator...
) held further auditions in L.A. adding Michael Beale on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Chester Washington on reeds
Reed (instrument)
A reed is a thin strip of material which vibrates to produce a sound on a musical instrument. The reeds of most Woodwind instruments are made from Arundo donax or synthetic material; tuned reeds are made of metal or synthetics.-Single reeds:Single reeds are used on the mouthpieces of clarinets...
, and Leslie Drayton on trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
who also served as the group's musical arranger. Trombonist Alex Thomas, and electric pianist and vocalist Wade Flemons completed the then ten-man EWF lineup.
The band's self-titled debut album, Earth, Wind, Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire (album)
-Musicians:*Michael Beal – guitars*Leslie Drayton – trumpet*Wade Flemons – electric piano, Vocals*Sherry Scott – vocals*Alexander Thomas – trombone*Chet Washington – reeds*Maurice White – percussion, drums, vocals, electric kalimba*Verdine White – bass...
, was released in February of 1971 to critical acclaim, as was November 1971's The Need of Love
The Need of Love
The Need of Love is the second studio album by American group Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1971. The album's cover was a photo of the band taken by Roland Charles.- Track listing :- Later samples :...
. Both albums were produced by Joe Wissert
Joe Wissert
Joe Wissert is an American record producer. His credits include albums by artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Helen Reddy, The J. Geils Band, Gordon Lightfoot, Boz Scaggs, The Sinceros and The Turtles....
and a single, from The Need of Love called "I Think About Lovin' You'(lead vocals by member Sherry Scott)'" provided EWF with their first Top 40 R&B hit. In 1971, the group also recorded the soundtrack
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (soundtrack)
The Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song OST is the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles' 1971 film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. The score was written by Van Peebles himself and performed by the then-unknown group Earth, Wind & Fire...
of the Melvin Van Peebles
Melvin Van Peebles
Melvin "Block" Van Peebles is an American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer.He is most famous for creating the acclaimed film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which heralded a new era of African American focused films...
film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song is a 1971 American independent drama film, written, produced, scored, directed by, and starring Melvin Van Peebles, father of actor Mario Van Peebles . It tells the picaresque story of a poor African American man on his flight from the white authority...
,. The soundtrack was recorded at the Paramount Recording Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard and released on Stax records. The band also developed a growing popularity on college campuses but in spite of this some members of EWF started to become restless and the band broke up after having been together for less than six months. With only Verdine left, Maurice decided to re-form the group.
The move to Columbia/CBS Records
In 1972, Maurice added vocalist Jessica CleavesJessica Cleaves
Jessica Cleaves was lead singer for Friends of Distinction in the 1960s. Founded by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, the Friends of Distinction also comprised Barbara Jean Love .Cleaves also performed and recorded with Earth, Wind & Fire, and for a brief time performed with...
, a former member of the R&B group The Friends of Distinction, Ronnie Laws
Ronnie Laws
Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Laws is an American jazz, blues and funk saxophonist. He is the younger brother of jazz flautist Hubert Laws.-Biography:...
on the flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and the saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, rhythm guitarist Roland Bautista
Roland Bautista
Roland Bautista is a guitar player who has played in the band Earth, Wind & Fire, and also with Tom Waits.-Career:Bautista played on the EWF album Last Days and Time and left the band soon after the album's release....
, keyboardist Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn is a keyboardist, musical director and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, & Fire. Dunn, along with other members of Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.-Career:...
, percussionist Ralph Johnson
Ralph Johnson (musician)
Ralph Johnson is an American musician. Johnson serves as the percussionist and vocalist for the R&B band, Earth, Wind & Fire....
and vocalist and Denver native Philip Bailey
Philip Bailey
Philip Irvin Bailey is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter, percussionist and actor, best known as one of the longtime members of Earth, Wind & Fire. Together with Verdine White, B. David Whitworth, and Ralph Johnson he forms the heart of the current EWF line-up on...
to the group. Warner Brothers didn't know how to promote this new combo as the only other funk band on their label was Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is a pioneering American soul and funk band. Formed in the early 1960s, they had the most visibility from 1967 to 1973 when the band had 9 singles reach Billboard's pop and/or rhythm and blues Hot 100 lists, such as "Do Your Thing" , "Till You Get...
.
The band successfully auditioned for managers Bob Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo and Cavallo's management of John Sebastian
John Sebastian
John Benson Sebastian Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000...
led to a series of gigs as the opening act for the pop/folk singer and The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful is an American pop rock band of the 1960s, named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. When asked about his band, leader John Sebastian said it sounded like a combination of "Mississippi John Hurt and Chuck Berry," prompting his friend, Fritz Richmond, to suggest the name...
founder. A performance at New York's Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering between 48th and 51st streets in New York City, United States. Built by the Rockefeller family, it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. It was declared a National...
introduced EWF to Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
, who was then the President of Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Davis was very impressed with the band's performance and bought their contract from Warner Bros. Their debut album on CBS/Columbia Records Last Days and Time
Last Days and Time
Last Days and Time is the third studio album by American R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1972 on Columbia Records. It was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California.- Track listing :- Personnel :...
featured mostly original material, but Bailey had recommended that the band cover the Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
song, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is a folk song. The first three verses were written by Pete Seeger in 1955, and published in Sing Out! magazine...
", and the elements also remade the Bread
Bread (band)
Bread was a rock band from Los Angeles, California. They placed 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1970 and 1977 and were a prime example of what later was labeled soft rock....
hit "Make It with You
Make It with You
"Make It with You" is a song written by David Gates and originally recorded by the pop/rock group Bread, of which Gates was a member.The song first appeared on Bread's 1970 album On the Waters...
".
Classic period (1973–1980)
Head to the Sky
Head to the Sky is the 4th studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1973. Their second album on Columbia Records, Head to the Sky was EWF's first commercially successful album and it has been certified platinum in the United States for sales of over a million copies...
was released in the spring of 1973. Head to the Sky gave the group their first two legitimate hit singles, Evil
Evil (Earth, Wind & Fire song)
"Evil" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Phillip Bailey and Maurice White. It was released in 1973 as a single and included on the band's 1973 album, Head to the Sky....
, which was co-written by Maurice and Philip, and "Keep Your Head to the Sky
Keep Your Head to the Sky
"Keep Your Head to the Sky" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Maurice White and produced by Joe Wissert. Included on the band's 1973 album, Head to the Sky it It was released as a single in the same year....
", both of which reached the top 30 and the top 60 on the R&B and pop charts respectively. After the release of this album some personnel changes took place as Ronnie Laws, Roland Bautista and Jessica Cleaves left the band so as to pursue new musical opportunities and the aalbum was also their last to be produced by Joe Wissert.. Philip Bailey had recommended his former Denver East High School classmate, saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk to the band. Woolfolk had been busy in New York studying sax with sax maestro Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than forty years Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent labels, including Blue Note.-Early life:From a very large family with five sisters and nine...
and was about to start a career in banking when Bailey called. To fill the void created by Batistuta's departure, rhythm guitarists Al McKay
Al McKay
Al McKay is a guitarist, songwriter, producer and former member of the American funk band Earth, Wind & Fire. Al used to lead his own group Al McKay's L.A...
, who had performed with the Ike and Tina Turner Revue and The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band and Johnny Graham from R&B group New Birth
New Birth (band)
New Birth is an American funk and R&B group, originally conceived in Detroit, Michigan by former Motown songwriter/producer and veteran musician Vernon Bullock, and co-founded in Louisville, Kentucky by Vernon, with former Motown songwriter/producer Harvey Fuqua, and music industry veterans, Tony...
were added to round out the new lineup. As some of the band's songs required lower vocals than that of Bailey's, and due to the success of "Evil", Maurice altered his role in the group to incorporate the role of lead vocalist.
Recorded at Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
's Caribou Ranch Studio
Caribou Ranch
Caribou Ranch was a recording studio built by producer James William Guercio in 1972 in a converted barn on ranch property in the Rocky Mountains near Nederland, Colorado, on the road that leads to the ghost town of Caribou...
, and released in 1974 the studio album Open Our Eyes
Open Our Eyes
Open Our Eyes is the fifth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1974 on Columbia Records. The album went to number one on the R&B Charts and number 15 on the Pop Charts. Open Our Eyes contained the Billboard charting singles, "Mighty Mighty" , "Devotion" , "Kalimba Story"...
was a commercially successful LP selling over a millon copies in the US and thus certified platinum. Open Our Eyes was co-produced by Producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Charles Stepney
Charles Stepney
Charles Stepney was a producer, arranger, songwriter and musician famous for his Orchestral Psychedelic soul sound with Chicago's Cadet/Chess records in the 1960s/1970s and afterwards with Earth, Wind & Fire....
with White at Maurice's request. Stepney had previously worked with The Dells
The Dells
The Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
, The Rotary Connection, Terry Callier
Terry Callier
Terrence O. Callier, known as Terry Callier is an American jazz, soul and folk guitarist and singer-songwriter.-Life and career:...
, Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton
Minnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya...
and the Ramsey Lewis Trio tom name a few. Released in May 1974, the single "Mighty Mighty
Mighty Mighty (song)
"Mighty Mighty" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Maurice White and Verdine White. It was released in 1974 as a single and included on the band's 1974 album, Open Our Eyes....
" became Earth, Wind & Fire's first top 30 hit on the pop charts, peaking at No.29. Another single, "Devotion", was a song with a strong spiritual message. This album also saw the inclusion of Maurice's younger brother, Fred White, into the band. Fred had played in Chicago clubs as a drummer with Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway
Donny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music."His collaborations...
and Little Feat
Little Feat
Little Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
.
On April 6, 1974, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the California Jam
California Jam
California Jam, also known as Cal Jam, was a rock music festival concert held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California on April 6, 1974. It was produced by ABC Entertainment, Sandy Feldman, Don Branker and Leonard Stogel...
, which was a West Coast rock festival that attracted an audience of 200,000. Also in 1974, the band collaborated with Ramsey Lewis on his album Sun Goddess
Sun Goddess (album)
Sun Goddess is a 1974 jazz album by Ramsey Lewis.-About the album:After his classic acoustic albums in the 1960s, Ramsey Lewis wanted to head into a new musical direction in the then-new decade of the 1970s...
, which reached number one on the Billboard Jazz and Black Album charts and has been certified gold in the U.S by the RIAA.
In 1975, Earth, Wind & Fire worked with Sig Shore
Sig Shore
Sig Shore was an American film director and producer. His 1972 film Super Fly is considered one of the first "blaxploitation" films.-Biography:Shore was born in Harlem, New York and grew up in the Bronx...
, the producer of the motion picture Super Fly, on a new film about the dark side of the recording industry. That's The Way Of The World
That's the Way of the World (film)
That's the Way of the World is a 1975 film produced and directed by Sig Shore, starring Harvey Keitel, and features the music of R&B/Funk group Earth, Wind and Fire . The film depicts the music business and the life of record executives...
starred Earth, Wind & Fire as "The Group", a new recording act and in the film, Harvey Keitel
Harvey Keitel
Harvey Keitel is an American actor. Some of his most notable starring roles were in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, Ridley Scott's The Duellists and Thelma and Louise, Ettore Scola's That Night in Varennes, Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Jane Campion's The...
hears "The Group" performing, and produces their first album. The film's title is repeated throughout the film as a shrug of the shoulders to the music world. Earth, Wind & Fire performed songs in the film and Maurice had a small speaking part, as leader of "The Group". When the band saw the film, they were convinced that the motion picture would be a bomb
Box office bomb
The phrase box office bomb refers to a film for which the production and marketing costs greatly exceeded the revenue regained by the movie studio. This should not be confused with Hollywood accounting when official figures show large losses, yet the movie is a financial success.A film's financial...
which it eventually was. To avoid being connected to the movie they released the album's soundtrack which was also titled That's the Way of the World
That's the Way of the World
-1999 reissue:-Covers and samples:"Reasons", the album's breakout love ballad, has been covered by Stanley Turrentine, Ramsey Lewis, Maxi Priest and other artists. "Reasons" has also been sampled by Master P on Intro/17...
before it's premiere. Co produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney and recorded at the Caribou Ranch Studio That's the Way of the World
That's the Way of the World
-1999 reissue:-Covers and samples:"Reasons", the album's breakout love ballad, has been covered by Stanley Turrentine, Ramsey Lewis, Maxi Priest and other artists. "Reasons" has also been sampled by Master P on Intro/17...
became Earth, Wind & Fire's breakthrough album
Breakthrough album
A breakthrough album is an LP or CD by a band or musician previously only known in the underground or indie scene of its given genre, which propels the group to mainstream attention and widespread fame and popularity...
going to number one on the pop and R&B charts.
Described as "one of the strongest albums of the 70's", "EWF's crowning achievement" and "a very tightly produced and performed package" by by Allmusic's Alex Henderson and Billboard Magazine respectively. That's the Way of the World fostered EWF becoming the first black act to top both the Billboard album and singles charts. The album went triple platinum and included the hit singles "Shining Star" which got to number one on the R&B Singles and Billboard Hot 100 and won the band a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
and "That's the Way of the World
That's The Way Of The World (song)
"That's the Way of the World" is a song by the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire and is also the title track of their album That's the Way of the World. Written by Charles Stepney, Maurice White and Verdine White for Columbia Records, "That's the Way of the World" was released as a single in many...
" which went to number five and number 12 on the R&B Singles and Billboard Hot 100 respectively. "Shining Star"'s origins came during a nightly walk that Maurice had during the band's recording of "That's the Way of the World", when looking up towards the starry sky, he gined inspiration and took his concepts for the song to the other band members. Because of the tremendous commercial success of "That's The Way Of The World", the band could then afford to hire a full horn section
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
entitled the Phenix Horns
Phenix Horns
are Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Collins and Genesis's brass main section. The four members were Don Myrick on saxophones, Louis "Lui Lui" Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet and Michael Harris on trumpet.-The Pharaohs:...
who became an integral part of the band's sound. The Phenix Horns was composed of saxophonist Don Myrick
Don Myrick
Don Myrick was a saxophonist.He played alto, tenor and soprano sax and was a member of Earth Wind & Fire's original horn section, The Phenix Horns Esq. from 1975 through 1982. Previously, Myrick had been a member of the musical group The Pharaohs...
, trombonist Louis Satterfield, both of whom worked with Maurice during his Chess Records session days, and trumpeters
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
Rahmlee Davis and Michael Harris
Michael Harris (trumpeter)
Trumpet player in the Phenix Horns, which played for Earth, Wind & Fire and Phil Collins.- References :...
.
After returning from their first European tour with Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
, Columbia Records wanted another album released and so the band returned to the studio in June of 1975. From these sessions came two singles "Sing a Song
Sing a Song (song)
"Sing a Song" is a hit song by R&B/funk band, Earth, Wind & Fire, which was written by Maurice White and Al McKay. It was released in 1975 and included on the band's 1975 double-live album, Gratitude. "Sing a Song" spent two weeks at number one on the R&B singles chart in January 1976, and it was...
" and "Can't Hide Love
Can't Hide Love
"Can't Hide Love" was written by Skip Scarborough and was included on Earth, Wind & Fire's live album Gratitude . "Can't Hide Love" was released as a single by Columbia Records and reached #11 on the US Black and #39 on US Pop Singles charts...
", the latter written by Clarence "Skip" Scarborough. These songs were included along with other studio songs on Gratitude, a double album composed mostly of live concert material from their 1974 and 1975 tours. Gratitude stayed at number one on the pop and R&B charts for three weeks and with it's release the Phenix Horns got their first credits on an EWf album. Also in 1975, Earth, Wind & Fire won Down Beat
Down Beat
Down Beat is an American magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond" to indicate its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois...
magazine's Readers Poll for favorite Rock/Blues Group.
Maurice created and developed a production company entitled Kalimba Productions in late 1975. Two artists that he had signed to Kalimba Productions were vocalist Deniece Williams
Deniece Williams
June Deniece Chandler known by her stage name Deniece Williams is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s...
, a former member of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's Wonderlove backup group, and the girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
, The Emotions
The Emotions
The Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson....
, who had a run of hits with Stax Records from 1969 to 1974. Maurice loaned the band's signature Phoenix Horns and most of the band members to his other production projects and put on tour some of the acts that he was producing at the time. Sadly in 1976, Charles Stepney, after helping co-produce and arrange Earth, Wind & Fire's new album, Deniece Williams's debut album, This Is Niecy
This Is Niecy
This Is Niecy is the debut album by Gary, Indiana singer Deniece Williams. Released in 1976 on Columbia Records. Produced by Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White along with Charles Stepney.-Reception:...
, and The Emotion's first Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
album Flowers
Flowers (The Emotions album)
-Side one:#"I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" #"Me for You" #"You've Got the Right to Know"...
, died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
May 17 in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife Rubie, his three daughters, Eibur, Charlene and Chante, his parents and his brother.
With Stepney's death Maurice took over and completed the production of the band's new album, called Spirit
Spirit (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
Spirit is the seventh studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1976 on Columbia Records. The album reached number 2 on the Billboard Pop and R&B Albums Chart and has been certified double platinum...
, which was released October 1976. EWF paid tribute to Stepney in the form of the album and included were the hit singles "Getaway
Getaway (Earth, Wind & Fire song)
"Getaway" was a hit song for R&B/funk band Earth, Wind & Fire in 1976 and written by Beloyd Taylor and Peter Cor Belenky. Released from their Spirit album, it spent two weeks at number one on the R&B singles chart and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Along with the track, "Saturday...
" and "Saturday Nite
Saturday Nite (song)
"Saturday Nite" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Maurice White and Al Mc Kay and Phillip Bailey. It was released in 1976 as a single and included on the band's 1976 LP, Spirit....
". "Getaway" was written by Bernard(Beloyd)Taylor and Peter Cor Belenky and was one of the small number of EWF's hits that was written by someone from outside of the group .
The band's concerts during this time were loaded with pyrotechnics, magic, laser lights, flying pyramids, levitating guitarists and elaborate production tricks, that included the entire group ascending in a pyramid and a disappearing act, which saw EWF literally vanishing from sight. Magician Doug Henning
Doug Henning
Douglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.-Early life:...
directed many of their tours throughout the 1970s with his young assistant, David Copperfield
David Copperfield (illusionist)
David Copperfield is an Emmy Award-winning American illusionist, and was described by Forbes as the most commercially successful magician in history. Copperfield's network specials have been nominated for 38 Emmy Awards and won a total of 21 Emmys...
. Their concerts were choreographed by George Faison
George Faison
George Faison is an African-American dancer and choreographer.-Biography:Faison was born in Washington, D.C. where he studied dance with the Jones-Haywood Capitol Ballet and Carolyn Tate of Howard University while attending Dunbar High School, and appeared with The American Light Opera Company in...
.
November 1977, the group released another studio LP, All 'N All
All 'N All
All 'N All is the eighth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1977 on Columbia Records. The album features songs such as "I'll Write A Song For You", "Serpentine Fire", "Love's Holiday", and the pop hit "Fantasy". A remastered version of the LP was issued in 2002...
. Starting with this album, the Japanese artist Shusei Nagaoka
Shusei Nagaoka
is a Japanese illustrator. He is best known for his music album cover art in the 1970s and 1980s. Artists for whom he illustrated covers include Electric Light Orchestra; Earth, Wind & Fire; Caldera, and Pure Prairie League.-Selected work:...
began doing the artwork and the illustrations for several of Earth, Wind & Fire's album cover
Album cover
An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10" and 12" 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records , or the front-facing...
s. With its Egyptian/African themed album cover, All 'N All featured the hit singles "Serpentine Fire
Serpentine Fire
"Serpentine Fire" was a hit song by Earth, Wind & Fire. Released from their hit album, All 'N All, it spent seven weeks at the top spot of the R&B singles chart, becoming the number 1 R&B single of 1978. Also, it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the February 11, 1978...
" and "Fantasy
Fantasy (Earth, Wind & Fire song)
"Fantasy" is a single by Earth, Wind & Fire from their album All 'N All, released as a single in 1978. The selection was written and composed by Maurice White, Verdine White, and Eddie del Barrio, and it reached #32 on the pop chart and #12 on the R&B singles chart in the United States, and #14 on...
", and has achieved triple platinum status. In 1978, EWF picked up three Grammy Awards, the third for their version of The Beatles' "Got to Get You into My Life
Got to Get You into My Life
"Got to Get You into My Life" is a song by The Beatles, first released in 1966 on the album Revolver. Written by Paul McCartney , it made prominent use of a brass section...
". This song, as well as the band, were featured in the movie, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a 1978 American musical film. Its soundtrack, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, features new versions of songs originally written and performed by The Beatles. The film draws primarily from two of their albums, 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club...
. The film itself was a commercial bomb; however, "Got to Get You into My Life" was the biggest hit from the movie's soundtrack, reaching numbers one and nine on the R&B and Pop singles charts, respectively.
1978
1978 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1978.-January–April:*January 14 – The Sex Pistols play their final show at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom....
was also the year that Maurice and managers Cavallo and Ruffalo worked out a deal for the launch of a new record label called The American Recording Company (ARC), to be distributed through CBS and the creation of a recording studio, George Massenburg
George Massenburg
George Y. Massenburg is a recording engineer and inventor. Working principally in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Macon, Georgia, Massenburg is widely known for his 1972 paper on the parametric equalizer.-Background:...
/ARC also called "The Complex" in West Los Angeles. The year ended with another hit single, "September", which was added to the quintuple platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
compilation album, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 is a 1978 compilation album collecting the charting singles of Earth, Wind & Fire. In addition to collecting previously charting songs, the album also presented two tracks which were a cover of the Beatles' song "Got to Get You Into My Life" and the original...
, and was released November 23, 1978, just four days before Thanksgiving.
At this time, Bobby Harris of the Dazz Band
Dazz Band
The Dazz Band is an American funk music band that was most popular in the early 1980s. Emerging from Cleveland, Ohio, the group's biggest hit songs include the Grammy Award-winning "Let It Whip" , "Joystick" , and "Let It All Blow"...
requested and got Philip Bailey to produce the group's first album, Kinsman Dazz. Bailey would also co-produce the second album, Dazz and had a major input into the group's vocal arrangements. In 1979, the band performed "September" and "That's The Way Of The World" at the Music for UNICEF Concert
Music for UNICEF Concert
The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song was a benefit concert of popular music held in the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on January 9, 1979. It was intended to raise money for UNICEF world hunger programs and to mark the beginning of the International Year of the Child. The...
, which was broadcast worldwide from the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
for NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. The band donated their royalties from one of their songs to UNICEF.
1979 also saw the release of I Am
I Am (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
I Am is the ninth studio album by the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1979 on Columbia Records. The album features the singles "Boogie Wonderland" with The Emotions and "After the Love Has Gone". Also recorded in the I Am sessions were "September" and "Love Music" which were both included...
, the group's ninth album, their seventh for Columbia and their second to be released on the ARC label. Songs from the album included "In the Stone", "Can't Let Go" and the much-anticipated, but sad ballad, "After the Love Has Gone
After the Love Has Gone
"After the Love Has Gone" is a 1979 hit single for Earth, Wind & Fire, written by David Foster, Jay Graydon, and Bill Champlin for the album I Am. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Reception:...
" by David Foster, which went to the number 2 spot on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and won for the Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards of 1980
Grammy Awards of 1980
The 22nd Grammy Awards were held February 27, 1980, and were broadcast live on American television. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1979.- Award winners :*Record of the Year...
.
Early 1979 saw the band touring overseas, headlining shows in Europe and Japan. Though the band had previously overlooked disco, the summer of 1979 saw EWF topping the dance music charts with their most disco inspired single "Boogie Wonderland
Boogie Wonderland
"Boogie Wonderland" is a 1979 hit single by Earth, Wind & Fire featuring The Emotions. Boogie Wonderland was written by Allee Willis and Jon Lind, and included on the album I Am...
", which was produced by Maurice and Al McKay, and featured The Emotions. Even with the song's success, Verdine White claims that band is not a disco band, saying "I guess you could say we were at the party but didn’t get on the dance floor".
The double-album Faces, the group's tenth album, was released October 1980 and went gold. In a 2007 interview, when asked which EWF album is his favorite, Maurice White replied "Probably Faces because we were really in tune, playing together and it gave us the opportunity to explore new areas". After the release of this album, longtime rhythm guitarist Al McKay left the band to pursue production interests and was replaced by returning electric guitarist Roland Bautista
Roland Bautista
Roland Bautista is a guitar player who has played in the band Earth, Wind & Fire, and also with Tom Waits.-Career:Bautista played on the EWF album Last Days and Time and left the band soon after the album's release....
, giving the band a bit of a hard rock feel. Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
saw EWF while they were on one of their European tours and came in contact with the Phenix Horns
Phenix Horns
are Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Collins and Genesis's brass main section. The four members were Don Myrick on saxophones, Louis "Lui Lui" Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet and Michael Harris on trumpet.-The Pharaohs:...
, where they later worked on Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
songs like "No Reply At All" and "Paperlate", and on his solo hits, like "I Missed Again" and "Sussudio
Sussudio
"Sussudio" is a song by Phil Collins, released as a single in February 1985. The song is also the first track on Collins' third album, No Jacket Required, released in January of the same year. The song entered frequent rotation on MTV in May, and by 6 July, both the single and the album reached...
".
Electronic period (1981–1987)
The platinum Raise!Raise!
Raise! is the eleventh studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, produced by the band's leader Maurice White for Kalimba Productions, and released in 1981 on ARC/Columbia Records. Raise! has been certified platinum in the US by the RIAA. Raise! was the bestselling R&B album of 1982. The album featured...
, EWF's eleventh album was released in the fall of 1981 and it featured their million selling hit single "Let's Groove
Let's Groove
"Let's Groove" is a 1981 song from the album Raise! by the R&B act Earth, Wind & Fire. The song peaked at #3 in the U.S. and in the UK. It also spent eight weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in late-1981/early-1982 and was the second R&B song of 1982 on the year end charts...
", and the Grammy Award winning "Wanna Be With You
Wanna Be With You
"Wanna Be With You" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Maurice White and Wayne Vaughn and produced by Maurice White. Included on the band's 1981 album, Raise! it was released as a single in 1982....
". October 30, 1981, Earth, Wind & Fire appeared at American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
's 30th Anniversary Special where they performed Let's Groove.
Powerlight
Powerlight
Powerlight is the twelfth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, produced by the band's leader Maurice White for Kalimba Productions, and released in February 1983. Powerlight has been certified gold for selling over 500, 000 copies in the US...
was released in early 1983 and included the hit singles "Fall In Love With Me
Fall In Love With Me
"Fall In Love With Me" is a song by Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Wayne Vaughn and Wanda Vaughn. It was released in 1982 as a single and included on the band's 1983 LP, Powerlight. "Fall In Love With Me " peaked at number 4 and number 17 on the R&B and Pop singles charts...
" a number 17 pop hit, and "Side By Side." "Powerlight" went gold. Also in 1983, Earth, Wind & Fire contributed the song "Dance, Dance, Dance" to the soundtrack of the animated film Rock & Rule. Maurice put the band on hiatus in 1983 after the synthesized Electric Universe
Electric Universe (album)
Electric Universe is the thirteenth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released on Columbia Records in November 1983. It was produced by the band's leader Maurice White for Kalimba Productions, and went to number 40 and number 8 on the Pop and R&B album charts.-Side One:# "Magnetic" ...
was released in late 1983 to a poor critical and commercial reception. Maurice White attributes the album's lack of success to its release so quickly after Powerlight.
During their hiatus, Philip Bailey released his second and most successful solo project, the gold album Chinese Wall
Chinese Wall (album)
Chinese Wall is a 1984 album by Philip Bailey which was released on the Columbia Records label. Chinese Wall has been certified gold in the US. The album reached number 22 and number 10 on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts respectively....
, which also featured the Phenix Horns
Phenix Horns
are Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Collins and Genesis's brass main section. The four members were Don Myrick on saxophones, Louis "Lui Lui" Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet and Michael Harris on trumpet.-The Pharaohs:...
. The first single from that Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
produced album, a duet with Collins called "Easy Lover
Easy Lover
"Easy Lover" is a hit song performed by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins, and written by Bailey, Collins, and Nathan East. The song appeared on Bailey's solo album Chinese Wall. Collins has performed the song in his live concerts and it appears on his 1990 album Serious Hits.....
", sold over a million copies and also reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video of Bailey and Collins rehearsing their collaboration hit #1 on MTV's video playlist, and won an MTV video music award. During this period, Bailey also released a number of gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
albums, and one of them, Triumph
Triumph (Philip Bailey album)
Triumph is a 1986 Gospel album by Philip Bailey which was released on the Word Records label. The album won a Grammy for Best Male Gospel Performance.-Track listing:# "All Soldiers" # "Thank You" # "The Love Of God"...
, won him a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male
Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male
The Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male was awarded from 1984 to 1990. From 1984 to 1989 it was titled the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Male....
. Also, during the hiatus, Verdine White worked behind the scenes, writing and directing videos. He produced the Level 42
Level 42
Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the...
album Standing in the Light
Standing in the Light
Standing in the Light is the fourth studio album released by the British jazz-funk band Level 42. The album, released in 1983, generated the group's first top 10 in the UK album charts, peaking in #9...
, with Larry Dunn, and promoted go-go bands like Trouble Funk
Trouble Funk
Trouble Funk is an American R&B and funk band from Washington, DC. It helped to popularize that area's local funk subgenre known as go-go. Among the band's well-known songs are the go-go anthem "Hey, Fellas." They released several studio albums including Drop the Bomb, In Times of Trouble, Live,...
and E.U.
Experience Unlimited
Experience Unlimited is a Washington, D.C.-based go-go band that enjoyed its height of popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s. Fronted by lead singer/bassist Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, the group has had a fluctuating membership over the years, but they have maintained a fairly loyal following...
Maurice White during this time produced for Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
on her platinum album Emotion
Emotion (Barbra Streisand album)
Emotion is the twenty-third studio album released by Barbra Streisand. It was released in October 1984 and went platinum in the United States on December 18 the same year....
and worked with Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
on his gold album Headed for the Future
Headed for the Future
Headed for the Future is a 1986 album by Neil Diamond. The album went to number 20 on the Billboard 200 and also heralded a return to the pop charts, when the uptempo, keyboard-heavy title track, "Headed for the Future" reached #53...
and Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
on her 1987 platinum album Cher
Cher (1987 album)
Additional notes*"I Found Someone" was originally recorded by Laura Branigan and appears on her 1985 album Hold Me.*"Bang-Bang" was previously recorded for Cher's second studio album The Sonny Side of Chér in 1966.-Personnel & Production:...
. He also released the solo album Maurice White
Maurice White (album)
- 2001 reissue :- Charts :- Musicians :* Gerald Albright: Saxophone* Gerald Brown: Drums* Bill Bottrell: Finger Snapping* Michel Colombier: Keyboards* Paulinho Da Costa: Percussion* Bill Reichenbach Jr.: Horn* Sheldon Reynolds: Guitar...
in 1985, which included a cover of "Stand by Me
Stand by Me (song)
"Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3...
", which went to number 6 on the R&B charts and number 11 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The album also featured an appearance by saxophonist Gerald Albright
Gerald Albright
Gerald Albright is an American jazz saxophonist.Albright has sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming, and background vocals.- Biography :...
. The compilation album The Collection
The Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
The Collection is a 1986 compilation by Earth, Wind & Fire which was released on the K-Tel Records label. The Collection reached number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and has been certified gold in the UK.- Track listing :...
was released May 1986 and this album went to number 5 on the UK singles charts for two weeks and was certified gold in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
.
In 1987, CBS Records convinced Philip Bailey and Maurice White that a reunion of Earth, Wind & Fire would be beneficial for all parties. Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Andrew Woofolk would also return and new to the group were guitarist/vocalist Sheldon Reynolds
Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)
Sheldon Reynolds is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.-Biography:At the age of 8, Reynolds picked up the guitar. In 1977, Sheldon graduated from Mount Healthy High School where he was active in the music program...
, lead guitarist Dick Smith
Dick Smith (musician)
Dick Smith is a musician who has mostly worked as a guitarist and has played with* 98 Degrees Guitarist 1998* Air Supply Guitarist 1993* Donny Osmond* Dru Hill Guitarist 1998* Earth, Wind & Fire Lead guitarist 1987 - 1993* Emmanuel...
, drummer Sonny Emory
Sonny Emory
Sonny Emory is a freelance touring and studio drummer. He has worked with many famous acts, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, Bruce Hornsby, and the B-52's.-Early years:...
,and a new horn section dubbed the Earth, Wind & Fire Horns made up of Gary Bias on the saxophone, Raymond Lee Brown
Raymond Lee Brown
Raymond Lee Brown is an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is best known for being a performer and section leader for Earth, Wind, & Fire Horns from 1987 to 2004. Brown joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987 when the band returned from a four-year hiatus from the music industry...
on the trumpet and flugelhorn and trombonist Reggie Young. The band's reunion fostered the 1987 Gold album Touch the World
Touch the World
Touch the World is the fourteenth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, produced by the band's leader Maurice White for Kalimba Productions, and released in 1987 on Columbia Records...
, which went onto number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 33 on The Billboard 200.
Featured on the album was a song penned by an unknown songwriter by the name of Skylark called "System of Survival
System of Survival
"System of Survival" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Skylark. It was released in 1987 as a single and included on the band's 1987 album, Touch the World. System of Survival peaked at number 1 on the R&B and Dance singles charts....
". Released as a single the song became a hit reaching number one on the Billboard R&B charts and Dance charts, and another single called "Thinking Of You
Thinking of You (Earth, Wind & Fire song)
"Thinking of You" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Wayne Vaughn and Maurice White. It was released in 1988 as a single and included on the band's 1987 album, Touch the World. "Thinking of You" peaked at number 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and number 1 on...
" peaked at number one and number 3 on the R&B and Dance charts.
Later career (1988–2003)
The band continued to release new albums, including the compilation album The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2
The album The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2 with songs of Earth, Wind & Fire from the late 1970s was released in 1988 and re-released on May 30, 2000. The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2 has been certified gold in the US by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 copies...
released in 1988. Their final Columbia album was 1990's Heritage, which featured a collaboration with Sly Stone
Sly Stone
Sly Stone is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
of Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
. 1993 saw the Warner Bros. release Millennium
Millennium (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
Millennium is an album by African-American funk music group Earth, Wind & Fire released in 1993 for their return to Warner Bros. Records after an eleven-year absence from that label. However, due to the poor sales, Warner Bros...
. The single "Sunday Morning
Sunday Morning (Earth, Wind & Fire song)
"Sunday Morning " is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire which was written by Sheldon Reynolds, Maurice White and Allee Willis. It was released in 1993 as a single and included on the band's 1993 album, Millennium....
" from Millennium gained a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The album also featured the Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
written track Super Hero.
July 30, 1993, Phoenix Horns saxophonist Don Myrick
Don Myrick
Don Myrick was a saxophonist.He played alto, tenor and soprano sax and was a member of Earth Wind & Fire's original horn section, The Phenix Horns Esq. from 1975 through 1982. Previously, Myrick had been a member of the musical group The Pharaohs...
was fatally shot by the Los Angeles Police Department in a case of mistaken identity and October 13, 1993, former Earth, Wind & Fire member Wade Flemons
Wade Flemons
Wade Flemons was an American soul singer.Born in Coffeyville, Kansas, Flemons began recording solo work in 1958, but is best remembered for his work as a musician and vocalist in the pop band Earth, Wind & Fire between 1970 and 1973...
died from cancer in Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Calhoun county...
.
NAACP Image Award - Hall of Fame Award
The NAACP Image Award winners for the Hall of Fame Award:...
. September 15, 1995, Earth, Wind & Fire was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
. All the original members of the group showed up. Maurice White attributed EWF's success to the support of their fans. During this time, Maurice White retired from touring with the band for health reasons, concentrating more on producing and developing new Earth, Wind & Fire recordings and working with other artists. Philip Bailey was then given the role of onstage leader of the band. The studio album In the Name of Love
In the Name of Love (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
In the Name of Love is an album by Earth, Wind & Fire. It released in 1997 on Rhino Records and was produced by the band's leader Maurice White for Kalimba Productions. The track Love Is Life is a remake of its namesake which appeared on the band 's debut album Earth, Wind & Fire...
was released in 1997 on Pyramid Records. EWF performed at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...
and gave an encore performance the following year. Their performance was released on the DVD Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997
Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997
Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997 is a DVD of performance by the band Earth, Wind & Fire at 1997 and 1998 appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival...
. In 1999 Earth, Wind & Fire performed on the A&E Network
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
show Live by Request
Live by Request
Live by Request is a television show on the A&E Network. On it, notable artists hold concerts where the set list would be determined by viewer phone calls. The show was created based on an idea by Tony Bennett. Bennett starred in its first episode, which ran on Valentine's Day 1997; during that...
.
Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
March 6, 2000, by rapper Lil' Kim to a standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
. The band's original members Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woofolk, Fred White and Johnny Graham played together for the first time in 20 years at the ceremony performing Shining Star and That's The Way Of The World. After their induction into the Hall of Fame an effort was made by the original band members to have a full reunion but it didn't work out. June 20, 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire were the special musical guests at a White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
state dinner
State dinner
A state dinner is a dinner or banquet paid by a government and hosted by a head of state in his or her official residence in order to renew and celebrate diplomatic ties between the host country and the country of a foreign head of state or head of government who was issued an invitation. In many...
hosted by President Bill Clinton held in a tent on the South Lawn
South Lawn (White House)
The South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, is located directly south of the mansion, and is bordered on the east by East Executive Drive and the Treasury Building, and on the west by West Executive Drive and the Old Executive Office Building, and along its curved southern perimeter by...
of the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, held in honor of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco and Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem. So impressed was he by the band's performance that the king personally requested that Earth, Wind & Fire perform in Morocco for his 37th birthday celebration, which took place August 21, 2000.
In 2001, EWF released a biography of the band, Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire
Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire
Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire is a 2001 biography of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. The film was released on August 21, 2001 and was directed by Kathryn Arnold and produced by Stephanie Bennett. It was made with the band's input and features both concert footage and...
, directed by Kathryn Arnold. Following the September 11 attacks, the band members donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross at a September 13 show at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater in Virginia, which was the band's first concert since the events took place.
February 24, 2002, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Maurice White released on his own label Kalimba Records the album Live In Rio
Live in Rio (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
Live in Rio is a live album by the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. The album contains recordings of live renditions of songs from the band's live 1980 performance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Live in Rio was released on November 19, 2002 on Maurice White's record label Kalimba Music.-Track...
in 2002, a live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
from the band's 1980 performance in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
June 17, 2002, EWF accepted the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
. The award was presented by Jimmy Jam, ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
. In 2003 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Vocal Group Hall of Fame
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor outstanding vocal groups throughout the world. It is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes a theater and a museum....
and Earth, Wind & Fire were also inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk July 7, 2003.
The Promise
The Promise (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
The Promise is a 2003 album by Earth, Wind & Fire. Released on Maurice White's label Kalimba Records the album was their first of new material in six years. The album reached number 5 on the Top Independent Album Chart and number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart. It also featured...
, the band's first studio album in six years was released in 2003. The Promise received critical acclaim upon its release with Blender Magazine calling the album "a classy collection" and People Magazine describing The Promise as "musically rich". The Promise included songs reminiscent of classic EW&F such as the kalimba laden track "All in the Way
All in the Way
"All in the Way" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire featuring The Emotions which was written by Wayne Vaughn, Wanda Vaughn, and Maurice White. It was released in 2003 as a single on Snapper Records and included on the band's 2003 album The Promise. "All in the Way" reached number 25 on the...
", which reunited EWF with The Emotions, and Betcha' and also on it were two previously unreleased songs from the "I Am" sessions titled "Where Do We Go From Here" and "Dirty". The Promise went to number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and the song Hold Me from The Promise was Grammy nominated for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance is an accolade presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally named the Gramophone Awards, to performers of quality traditional R&B vocal performances. The award was first given in 1999; until 2003, only...
.
Current career (2004–present)
On February 8, 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire with Maurice in tow performed in in a Tribute to Funk at the 46th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples CenterStaples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California. Other artists who performed in this tribute were OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
, Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Parliament Funkadelic. EWF sang "Shining Star" and then at Outkast's request crooned "The Way You Move
The Way You Move
"The Way You Move" is a 2003 number-one single recorded by Big Boi of the hip-hop duo OutKast, released by LaFace Records. The song features OutKast mentor Sleepy Brown on guest vocals...
" with them, and then teamed up with the other bands to sing Parliment Funkadelic's classic Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)
Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)
"Give Up the Funk " is a funk song by Parliament. It was released as a single under the name "Tear the Roof off the Sucker ". It was the second single to be released from Parliament's 1976 album Mothership Connection "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)" is a funk song by Parliament. It...
.
In the middle of 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire signed a record deal with Sanctuary Urban Records Group, owned by Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles is an American music executive and manager. He is the father and former manager of R&B singer Beyoncé , Knowles also managed Kelly Rowland as well as girl group Destiny's Child . He was also the manager of Solange Knowles.-Manager and producer:Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk...
, who is the father and manager of r&b/pop singer Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
. Earth, Wind & Fire contributed to the Jimi Hendrix Tribute album which was released in May 4, 2004, Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix is a 2004 tribute album featuring various artists performing the music of Jimi Hendrix.-Track listing:...
with a cover of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
"Voodoo Child " is the closing track on Electric Ladyland, the third and final album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The song is known for its wah-wah-heavy guitar work. It is #101 on Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs of all time....
". Gary Bias and Bob Burns Jr. of the Earth, Wind & Fire Horns were featured on Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
's The Dana Owens Album
The Dana Owens Album
The Dana Owens Album is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Queen Latifah, released in the United States on September 28, 2004 by Interscope Records. Unlike Latifah's previous hip hop/R&B-oriented efforts, this album showcases a jazz vocal performance...
which was released on September 28, 2004. The album got to 16 and 11 on The Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts respectively and was certitified gold. Earth, Wind & Fire appeared on Kenny G
Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick , better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American, adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986...
's the track "The Way You Move
The Way You Move
"The Way You Move" is a 2003 number-one single recorded by Big Boi of the hip-hop duo OutKast, released by LaFace Records. The song features OutKast mentor Sleepy Brown on guest vocals...
", which he released in November 2004 and got to number 12 on the Adult Contemporary singles chart.
On December 11, 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire were honored at the first annual Grammy Jam held at Los Angeles's Wiltern Theater. Paying tribute to the band in the form of performances at the event were several artists including Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
, Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
, Miri Ben-Ari
Miri Ben-Ari
Miri Ben-Ari is an Israeli violinist, who currently resides in the United States.Ben-Ari grew up playing classical music; she started training at age 5 and at age 12, she was presented with a violin by Isaac Stern. During her mandatory Israeli military service, she was chosen to play for the...
, George Duke
George Duke
George Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
and celebrities that attended the jam were Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
, Tim Allen
Tim Allen
Tim Allen is an American comedian, actor, voice-over artist, and entertainer, known for his role in the sitcom Home Improvement...
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles is an American music executive and manager. He is the father and former manager of R&B singer Beyoncé , Knowles also managed Kelly Rowland as well as girl group Destiny's Child . He was also the manager of Solange Knowles.-Manager and producer:Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk...
, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
, Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
and Suzanne de Passe
Suzanne de Passe
Suzanne de Passe is an American television, music and film producer. As well as the Co-Chairman of de Passe Jones Entertainment Group-Career:Suzanne began her career at Motown as Creative Assistant to company founder, Berry Gordy...
. On December 31, 2004, EWF performed on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest is a television program that airs every New Year's Eve on ABC. It has been hosted by Dick Clark since its first airing on Sunday, December 31, 1972. Ryan Seacrest has been the program's co-host since the December 31, 2005 telecast...
. and January 19, 2005, the band featuring Kenny G performed "The Way You Move" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
On September 20, 2005 EWF released the single "Show Me the Way", on which they paired up with neo soul artist Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Saadiq has been a standard bearer for "old school" R&B since his early days as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! He also produced songs of such artists as TLC, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, Mary J...
. The single garnered a Grammy nomination and was featured on their nineteeth studio album Illumination
Illumination (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
Illumination is an album by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. It was released in September 2005 on Sanctuary Records. It featured collaborations with several artists including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Kenny G, Kelly Rowland, Will I Am, and Brian McKnight...
, which was released on the same day. On this album EWF collaborated with artists such as Will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
, Outkast's Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
and Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
. Illumination got to number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart and number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another single "Pure Gold
Pure Gold (song)
"Pure Gold" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire written by Bobby Ross Avila, Issiah J. Avila, James Harris III and Terry Lewis. It was released in 2005 as a single on Sanctuary Records and included on the band's 2005 album, Illumination.-Reception:...
" reached number 23 on the Adult Contemporary Charts. Allmusic's Rob Theakston has referred to the album as an "outstanding record" and Steve Jones of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
remarked that on the album EWF are as "vibrant as ever". The album got a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album and EWF were also nominated for a Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
Music Award in the category R&B-soul album, group, band or duo for Illumination. EWF also received a NAACP Image Award
NAACP Image Award
An NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature....
nomination for Best Duo or Group.
Earth, Wind & Fire performed with The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
at the Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
pregame show in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
on February 6, 2005 singing "Where Is the Love?
Where Is the Love?
"Where Is the Love?" is a song recorded by the American hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas for their third album, Elephunk. It is the band's first record to feature Fergie. The song features vocals from Justin Timberlake, although he is not officially credited on the single release.The single was...
" and "Shining Star". March 2005 EWF performed in Russia for the first time.
In 2004 Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
embarked upon a joint tour. The tour gave rise to a DVD entitled Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre, which was released June 28, 2005, and was certified platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
just two months after its release. Chicago and EWF toured together again in 2005and Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with Chicago for a new recording of Chicago's ballad "If You Leave Me Now
If You Leave Me Now
"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976....
" that was included on Chicago's 2005 compilation album Love Songs.
September 18, 2005, they performed along with The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
as part of an opening act for the 57th Primetime Emmy Awards
57th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held on September 18, 2005, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. The 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards show was broadcast on CBS....
. Their performance marked the first time a musical artist has opened at the annual Emmy Awards show. On September 27, 2005, former Earth, Wind & Fire member and member of the Phoenix Horns trombonist Louis Satterfield died. For the 2005 holiday season, David Foster, Maurice White and Philip Bailey wrote the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
-themed track "Gather Round", which was produced and arranged by Foster. The song was placed onto the album Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection. Maurice worked with Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines
Gregory Oliver Hines was an American actor, singer, dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Born in New York City, Hines and his older brother Maurice started dancing at an early age, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang...
's brother, Maurice Hines
Maurice Hines
Maurice Hines is an American actor, director, jazz singer and choreographer.Born in New York City, Hines began his career at the age of five, studying tap dance at the Henry LeTang Dance Studio in Manhattan. LeTang recognized his talent and began choreographing numbers specifically for him and his...
in 2006 to release the Broadway play Hot Feet
Hot Feet
Hot Feet is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Earth, Wind & Fire, a book by Heru Ptah and was conceived, directed, and choreographed by Maurice Hines. The musical opened on Broadway at the Foxwoods Theatre on April 30, 2006 and closed on July 23, 2006.Hot Feet is about a beautiful young...
, a jukebox musical
Jukebox musical
A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a connection with a particular popular musician or group — either because they were written by, or for, the artists in question, or were at least...
featuring the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. White wrote several new songs along with Allee Willis
Allee Willis
Allee Willis is an American songwriter, artist, set designer, multimedia artist, writer, collector and director.-Overview:...
for the play.
On February 11, 2007, EWF along with Mary J Blige and Ludacris performed the song "Runaway Love
Runaway Love (Ludacris song)
"Runaway Love" is the third single released from Ludacris' fifth album, Release Therapy . The song, which features Mary J. Blige on the vocals, was produced by Polow da Don and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The song was the first single from Release Therapy in the UK and was...
" at the 49th Grammy Awards.
Maurice was the executive producer of an album Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire
Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire
Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire is a tribute album to the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. The album was the first album to be released on the revived Stax label.-Reception:...
, released March 27, 2007. It featured cover versions of Earth, Wind & Fire's songs performed by artists such as Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
, Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
, Lalah Hathaway, Mint Condition
Mint Condition
Mint Condition is an R&B band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Formed in the late 1980s, its original members were lead singer Stokley Williams, bassist Ricky Kinchen, guitarist Homer O'Dell, pianist Larry Waddell, keyboardist Keri Lewis, and keyboardist/saxophonist Jeffrey Allen...
and Angie Stone
Angie Stone
Angie Stone is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She has been nominated for three Grammy Award. She is more successful on the charts R&B charts, with four Top 10 albums, forms including a number one album and 10 singles on the R&B chart,...
. From this album renditions of "That’s The Way Of The World" performed by Dwele
Dwele
Andwele Gardner , better known by his stage name Dwele is a soul singer, songwriter and record producer from Detroit, Michigan.-Biography:...
and Fantasy performed by Meshell Ndegeocello were each nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance
Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality urban/alternative performances...
.
On April 25, 2007, the band was the opening act for the highly touted and publicized special edition of the reality TV series American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, "Idol Gives Back" where they performed a medley of "Boogie Wonderland", "Shining Star" and "September". On December 11, 2007, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
Nobel Peace Prize Concert
The Nobel Peace Prize Concert has been held annually since 1994 on 11 December, one day after the date of Alfred Nobel's death, to honour the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The award ceremony on 10 December takes place in the Oslo City Hall, while the concert is in the Oslo Spektrum Arena, with the...
, which took place in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, and was hosted by Kevin Spacey and Uma Thurman and also featured other performances by Melissa Etheridge, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox and Kylie Minouge. The Nobel Peace Prize Concert was broadcast to over 100 countries.
On February 20, 2008, Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the Viña del Mar Festival
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
The Viña del Mar International Song Festival is a music festival held annually during February since 1960 in Viña del Mar, Chile. It is considered the most important musical event in Latin America....
, in Viña del Mar, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
on the festival's opening night. For their performance the public awarded them with the "Gaviota de Plata" or the Silver Seagull, the highest award that can presented to an artist performing at the festival, which is one of the largest musical events in Latin America.
As a curiosity, the fanfare introduction to their song "In the Stone" has been used many years in this festival as introducing theme for the broadcasting of this event.
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is one of the largest art colleges in the United States with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees within 120 undergraduate and graduate programs...
during the college's 2008 commencement exercises. Verdine and Philip both gave remarks during the ceremony, which was followed by an impromptu performance of "Shining Star" by all four. On August 25, EWF performed at the opening ceremony of the 2008 US Open, which was hosted by Forrest Whitaker. The event commemorated the 40th anniversary of the founding of tennis’s Open Era with a parade of more than 25 former US Open singles champions. In November 2008 Verdine White
Verdine White
Verdine White is the bassist for Earth, Wind & Fire and the younger brother of fellow band member Maurice White. White is known for his high energy and dancing while playing his bass guitar during Earth, Wind & Fire concerts.-Early life:...
was presented with Bass Player
Bass Player (magazine)
Bass Player is a popular magazine for bassists. Each issue offers a variety of artist interviews, lessons, equipment reviews, and a complete transcribed bass line from a popular song...
magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award by fellow bass guitarist Nathan East
Nathan East
Nathan Harrell East is a jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. East holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of California, San Diego...
.
Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
on February 22, 2009 with Wayne T, at the Governors' Dinner, which was the first formal White House dinner hosted by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and First Lady
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is the wife of the 44th and incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States...
. The band will tour once again with Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
for a 2009 tour of thirty US cities. EWF are also planning to release a three-disc package through a major retailer in 2009, which would include a studio album of new material, a live album and a concert DVD. On April 26, 2009, EWF performed at the 39th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana...
. They also performed at the 40th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana...
, replacing Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
. They performed at the Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Nights New West Fest, August 21, 2010.
Earth, Wind & Fire members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson participated in the recording of the We Are the World 25 for Haiti
We Are the World 25 for Haiti
"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is a charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Haiti in 2010. It is a remake of the 1985 hit song "We Are the World", which was written by American musicians Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and was recorded by USA for Africa to benefit famine relief in...
single.
Influence
Earth, Wind & Fire's songs have been covered by artists such asPoint of Grace
Point of Grace
Point of Grace is an all-female Contemporary Christian music group. The trio consists of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino. The group started out as a quartet in 1991, with original members Breen and Jones, as well as Terry Jones and Heather Payne...
, D'Angelo
D'Angelo
Michael Eugene Archer , better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences,...
, Pomplamoose
Pomplamoose
Pomplamoose is an American indie music duo consisting of multi-instrumentalists Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn. The band formed in the summer of 2008 and sold approximately 100,000 songs online in 2009.-Etymology:...
Lenny White
Lenny White
Leonard White III, better known as Lenny White is an American jazz fusion drummer, who is best known for playing in Chick Corea's Return to Forever.-Biography:...
, Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, The Manhattans
The Manhattans
The Manhattans are an American popular R&B vocal group, with a string of hit records spanning four decades. Their best known million-selling songs being "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and 'Shining Star' in 1980...
, Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Ellen Judd is an American country music singer. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the singular name Wynonna. Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country music duo The Judds...
, Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
, Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond
Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond is an American singer, musician, actor, dancer, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid 1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmond Brothers on the long...
, Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
, 112
112 (band)
112 is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Diddy's Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and "Peaches & Cream"...
, the Vienna Boys' Choir
Vienna Boys' Choir
The Vienna Boys' Choir is a choir of trebles and altos based in Vienna. It is one of the best known boys' choirs in the world. The boys are selected mainly from Austria, but also from many other countries....
, Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
, Musiq Soulchild, and Tito Puente
Tito Puente
Tito Puente, , born Ernesto Antonio Puente, was a Latin jazz and Salsa musician. The son of native Puerto Ricans Ernest and Ercilia Puente, of Spanish Harlem in New York City, Puente is often credited as "El Rey de los Timbales" and "The King of Latin Music"...
.
Earth, Wind & Fire's songs have been sampled by numerous artists, including UGK
UGK
UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas formed in 1987 by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler . He then joined with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who became his longtime partner...
, A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
, Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, Amerie
Amerie
Amerie Mi Marie Rogers , known professionally as Amerie or Ameriie, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She debuted in 2002 with the album All I Have, primarily co-written and produced by Rich Harrison, and was well-received in the urban market...
, The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, Common, Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
, Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee...
, P Diddy, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, Cee-Lo Green, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez
Lisa Lopes
Lisa Nicole Lopes better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper, singer, dancer, actress, television host, and songwriter...
of TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
and MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
.
Earth, Wind & Fire have influenced artists such as Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, Will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
, India.Arie
India.Arie
India.Arie is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and record producer . She has sold over 3.3 million records in the U.S. and 10 million worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards from her 21 nominations, including Best R&B Album.-Background:Simpson was born in Denver, Colorado...
, The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
, Jon Secada
Jon Secada
Jon Secada is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter. Secada was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Hialeah, Florida. He has won two Grammy Awards and sold 20 million albums since his English-language debut album in 1992. His music fuses funk, soul, pop and Latin percussion...
, Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, Common, Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
, Boney James
Boney James
Boney James, is a saxophonist, songwriter and producer who popularized urban jazz...
, Angie Stone
Angie Stone
Angie Stone is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She has been nominated for three Grammy Award. She is more successful on the charts R&B charts, with four Top 10 albums, forms including a number one album and 10 singles on the R&B chart,...
, Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Saadiq has been a standard bearer for "old school" R&B since his early days as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! He also produced songs of such artists as TLC, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, Mary J...
, The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
, Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney is an American singer-songwriter, actor and voice actor. McCartney achieved fame in the late 1990s on the daytime drama All My Children as JR Chandler. He later joined boy band Dream Street, and eventually branched out into a solo musical career...
, Musiq Soulchild, Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles
Solange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
, Babyface, OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
, Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
, Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
, Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
,
Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard is an American singer/songwriter. His style is best described as "Bayou Soul," a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock, and pop, matched with distinct Southern roots...
, Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
, Rob Bourdon of Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
, Eric Benét
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
, Jill Scott
Jill Scott
Jill Scott is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter, poet, and actress. In 2007, Scott made her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That year, her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on...
, Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
, Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
, Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
, Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
, Patrick Stump
Patrick Stump
Patrick Vaughn Stump is an American singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, and music critic. He is the composer, lead singer, and multi-instrumentalist of Fall Out Boy, an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, and is also a solo artist...
of Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
, Meshell Ndegeocello, Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
, and Mario.
Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
described EWF as his "all time favorite band" saying, "they have everything (horns, electric guitar, singers and more) in one band". Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
has proclaimed himself to be the "biggest fan of Earth, Wind & Fire since day one." Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
has named Earth, Wind & Fire as her favorite group of all time.
In the movie BAADASSSSS!
BAADASSSSS!
BAADASSSSS! is a 2003 American biopic, written, produced, directed by, and starring Mario Van Peebles. The film is based on the struggles of Van Peebles' father Melvin Van Peebles , as he attempts to film and distribute Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, a film that was widely credited with showing...
, the actor Khalil Kain
Khalil Kain
Khaliloeron Kain is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Raheem Porter in the 1992 film Juice, and as Darnell Wilkes on the UPN/CW sitcom, Girlfriends.-Life and career:...
portrayed a young Maurice White leading the early incarnation of Earth, Wind & Fire. Released at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, the film was based on Melvin Van Peebles' struggle to film and distribute the movie Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song is a 1971 American independent drama film, written, produced, scored, directed by, and starring Melvin Van Peebles, father of actor Mario Van Peebles . It tells the picaresque story of a poor African American man on his flight from the white authority...
and was directed by his son Mario Van Peebles
Mario Van Peebles
Mario "Chip" Cain Van Peebles is an American director and actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films. He is son of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles.-Life and career:...
.
Discography
Top 10 albumsThe following albums reached the Top Ten on either the United States Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
pop albums chart or the United Kingdom UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
.
- 1975: That's the Way of the WorldThat's the Way of the World-1999 reissue:-Covers and samples:"Reasons", the album's breakout love ballad, has been covered by Stanley Turrentine, Ramsey Lewis, Maxi Priest and other artists. "Reasons" has also been sampled by Master P on Intro/17...
(US #1) - 1975: Gratitude (US #1)
- 1976: SpiritSpirit (Earth, Wind & Fire album)Spirit is the seventh studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1976 on Columbia Records. The album reached number 2 on the Billboard Pop and R&B Albums Chart and has been certified double platinum...
(US #2) - 1977: All 'N AllAll 'N AllAll 'N All is the eighth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1977 on Columbia Records. The album features songs such as "I'll Write A Song For You", "Serpentine Fire", "Love's Holiday", and the pop hit "Fantasy". A remastered version of the LP was issued in 2002...
(US #3) - 1979: I AmI Am (Earth, Wind & Fire album)I Am is the ninth studio album by the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1979 on Columbia Records. The album features the singles "Boogie Wonderland" with The Emotions and "After the Love Has Gone". Also recorded in the I Am sessions were "September" and "Love Music" which were both included...
(US #3; UK #5) - 1980: Faces (US #10; UK #10)
- 1981: Raise!Raise!Raise! is the eleventh studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, produced by the band's leader Maurice White for Kalimba Productions, and released in 1981 on ARC/Columbia Records. Raise! has been certified platinum in the US by the RIAA. Raise! was the bestselling R&B album of 1982. The album featured...
(US #5)
Top 10 singles
The following singles reached the Top Ten on either the United States Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
pop singles chart or the United Kingdom UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
- 1975: "Shining Star" (US #1)
- 1975: "Sing a SongSing a Song (song)"Sing a Song" is a hit song by R&B/funk band, Earth, Wind & Fire, which was written by Maurice White and Al McKay. It was released in 1975 and included on the band's 1975 double-live album, Gratitude. "Sing a Song" spent two weeks at number one on the R&B singles chart in January 1976, and it was...
" (US #5) - 1978: "Got to Get You into My LifeGot to Get You into My Life"Got to Get You into My Life" is a song by The Beatles, first released in 1966 on the album Revolver. Written by Paul McCartney , it made prominent use of a brass section...
" (US #9) - 1978: "September" (US #8; UK #3)
- 1979: "Boogie WonderlandBoogie Wonderland"Boogie Wonderland" is a 1979 hit single by Earth, Wind & Fire featuring The Emotions. Boogie Wonderland was written by Allee Willis and Jon Lind, and included on the album I Am...
" (featuring The EmotionsThe EmotionsThe Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson....
) (US #6; UK #4) - 1979: "After the Love Has GoneAfter the Love Has Gone"After the Love Has Gone" is a 1979 hit single for Earth, Wind & Fire, written by David Foster, Jay Graydon, and Bill Champlin for the album I Am. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Reception:...
"(US #2; UK #4) - 1981: "Let's GrooveLet's Groove"Let's Groove" is a 1981 song from the album Raise! by the R&B act Earth, Wind & Fire. The song peaked at #3 in the U.S. and in the UK. It also spent eight weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in late-1981/early-1982 and was the second R&B song of 1982 on the year end charts...
" (US #3; UK #3)
See also
- List of best-selling music artists
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
Other works
- Payne, Jim. Weinger, Harry. The Great Drummers of R&B Funk & Soul. Mel Bay Publications, 2007. ISBN 0-7866-7303-6
- Mulhern, Tom. Bass Heroes: Styles, Stories & Secrets of 30 Great Bass Players: from the Pages of Guitar Player Magazine. Backbeat Books, 1993. ISBN 0-87930-274-7
External links
- www.earthwindandfire.com — Official website
- [ Earth, Wind & Fire] at Allmusic
- Earth, Wind & Fire at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...