Earth, Wind and Fire (music)
Earth, Wind and Fire is a renowned musical group formed in 1969 by Maurice White, initially as a collaboration with singer Wade Flemons and pianist Don Whitehead in Chicago. Originally named the Salty Peppers, the band relocated to Los Angeles, where White renamed it Earth, Wind and Fire, inspired by elements of his astrological chart. The band initially struggled to gain recognition, but after reorganizing with new members, including notable vocalist Philip Bailey, they found success with their 1972 album "Last Days and Time," which introduced the use of the kalimba, an African thumb piano.
By 1975, Earth, Wind and Fire had achieved significant commercial success with their album "That's the Way of the World," featuring the number-one hit "Shining Star." Their distinctive blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, and funk, combined with elaborate stage productions featuring innovative light shows and African instruments, set them apart in the music scene. Throughout the late 1970s, they released several multiplatinum albums and singles, solidifying their influence in popular music. The group's unique aesthetic and musical fusion not only showcased their artistic vision but also made a lasting impact on the genres they represented.
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Subject Terms
Earth, Wind and Fire (music)
Identification American funk-fusion band
Date Formed in 1970
A critically acclaimed and commercially successful band of the 1970’s and beyond, Earth, Wind, and Fire blended rock, pop, gospel, blues, jazz, folk, and other musical styles into unique and exceptional musical performances.
Key Figures
Maurice White (1941- ), drummer and founding member of the groupWade Flemons (1940-1993), singer and founding member of the groupDon Whitehead , keyboardist and founding member of the groupFred White , percussionistVerdine White (1951- ), bass guitaristPhilip Bailey (1951- ), singer and percussionistRalph Johnson , singer and percussionistRonnie Laws (1950- ), saxaphone player and guitartistRoland Bautista , guitaristLarry Dunn (1953- ), keyboardistJessica Cleaves (1948- ), singerAndrew Woolfolk , saxaphone playerAl McKay , guitaristJohnny Graham , guitarist
In 1969, Maurice White, a former session drummer with Chess Records, collaborated with singer Wade Flemons and pianist Don Whitehead to write songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The partnership quickly evolved into a band known as the Salty Peppers, and they relocated to Los Angeles. White renamed them Earth, Wind, and Fire based on three elements in his Sagittarius astrological chart. Beginning in 1970, White’s brothers Verdine (playing bass) and Fred (percussion), plus six other musicians, recorded on the Warner Bros. label for the next three years, releasing two studio albums and a film soundtrack.
The first two albums failed to attract much attention. Dissatisfied, White reorganized the band with key personnel changes that included Philip Bailey (vocals and percussion), who had a four-octave range. Also added were Ralph Johnson (vocals and percussion), Ronnie Laws (saxophone and guitar), Roland Bautista (guitar), Larry Dunn (keyboards), and Jessica Cleaves (vocals). Verdine White remained on bass. The album Last Days and Time (1972) introduced the band’s use of the kalimba, an African thumb piano constructed of a resonating board with attached tuned metal tongues. Maurice White had discovered this unusual instrument in a Chicago drum store and played it with the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1967.
More personnel changes ensued. Cleaves, the only female band member, left and was not replaced. Laws and Bautista also departed and were replaced by Andrew Woolfolk (saxophone) and Al McKay and Johnny Graham (guitar). The new lineup produced a Top 40 hit with “Mighty Mighty” in 1974. The band’s 1975 album That’s the Way of the World was a huge commercial success, reaching double-platinum status. From this album, “Shining Star” became a number-one single.
More successes followed. The albums Gratitude (1975), Spirit (1976), All ’n All (1977), The Best of Earth, Wind and Fire (1978), and I Am (1979) all achieved multiplatinum status. Their stage presentations became increasingly elaborate and were designed by magicians Doug Henning and David Copperfield. Laser and light shows, levitation, the added Phoenix Horns section, and the continued use of the kalimba were mainstays of their stage productions. White’s production company was aptly named Kalimba Productions. During the decade, eight consecutive albums ranked in Billboard magazine’s Top 10, and the group had six Top 10 singles.
Impact
Wearing robes and dashikis and performing with African instruments, Earth, Wind, and Fire successfully fused jazz, rhythm and blues, and funk, creating new directions and influences in popular music.
Bibliography
Champ, Hamish. One Hundred Best-Selling Albums of the 70’s. New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2004.
Hal Leonard Corporation, ed. History of Rock: The Late ’70’s. Milwaukee, Wisc.: Hal Leonard, 1993.
Romanowski, Patricia, and Holly George-Warren. The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll. Rev. ed. New York: Fireside, 1995.
Stuessy, Joe, and Scott Lipscomb. Rock and Roll: Its History and Stylistic Development. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2003.