MUSIC
Are there any original members left in Earth, Wind and Fire?
Maurice White formed the soul group in Chicago in the late 60s. Nine members featured on the band’s 1971 debut album ‘The Need Of Love’.
Soul supergroup Earth, Wind and Fire came to life in Chicago in the late 60s when session drummer Maurice White joined up with fellow musicians Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead to start writing their own compositions.
Vocalist Flemons already had numerous singles to his name as a recording artist for Vee Jay and small independent, Chicago-based labels while White had appeared on several major Chess releases as part of the Ramsey Lewis Trio and the backing band for Fontella Bass’ debut album.
How did Earth, Wind and Fire get their name?
Taking the group’s name from the attributes of his astrological sign, Sagittarius, White assembled a nine-piece band after relocating to Los Angeles. EWF signed a major deal with Warner Bros and released their first album, ‘The Need Of Love’ to favorable critical response, in March 1971.
Quickly gaining a reputation as an engaging, vibrant, live act, the early EWF has a jazzy, psychedelic funk sound and gained support act slots with a diverse range of groups of the day - from Joan Baez and John Sebastian to Dr Hook and a nascent ZZ Top.
Philip Bailey enlisted
The band left Warner to sign for CBS in 1972, with their debut album Last Days and Time, reaching No.15 in the Billboard Soul chart. During that time and after, there were several changes of personnel. Flemons left after the first album and White brought in Philip Bailey as well as female signers Helena Davis, Jessica Cleaves and keyboard player Ronnie Laws.
The longest-serving members of the band were founders Maurice White, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson along with Bailey. Others, including Maurice’s half brother Fred, came and went.
Maurice White took a break from EWF to successfully produce albums by The Emotions and Deniece Williams, leaving his unmistakable imprint on both. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1992 and passed away on 4 February 2016 aged 74. During his career he had been nominated for five Grammy awards, winning one - for his arrangement of EWF’s Beatles’ cover version of Got to get you into my life.
Drummer Fred White, who played on Boogie Wonderland, Shining Star and the band’s biggest hit, September, died on New Year’s Day 2023 at the age of 67.
The three remaining Earth, Wind & Fire band members Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Philip Bailey are still going strong and touring - at the ripe age of 73. The band was inducted onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995, getting their star