Earth, Wind and Fire, is a band that has roots in Soul, Fun and R&B. The group was started by Maurice White in 1969 in Los Angeles, California. Their band consisted of nine members, Maurice White on vocals and the African Kalimba, Verdine White on bass, Philip Bailey on vocals and their featured sharp horn section. Maurice White was exposed to many types of music while he was little and this helped shape Earth, Wind and Fire's unique musical sounds.
They worked with Jim Brown who co-owned a management company, then they begin playing at local clubs throughout L.A. Their debut LP Love is Life, came out in July of 1971 and there second LP in early 1972. A single, I Think About Loving You, threw them into the top forties R&B charts. Earth, Wind and Fire was a sensation that snowballed in popularity with every single that they cranked out. They got grammy nominations, went double platinum, and went international tours
They released Head to the Sky in 1973 it had hit songs like, Keep Your To The Sky and Evil. On the heels of head to the sky, came Open Your Eyes, the group's first platinum album. It was the group's turning point. Open Your Eyes earned them their first top thirty pop hit. The song that got them in the top thirties was Mighty, Mighty. The song Devotion was their second hit single.
In 1974, the group was the only black band at The California Jam, a major rock event. They also opened for Sly Stone at Madison Square Garden. Verdine White put himself in a harness and fly through the air and the crowds went crazy. Later that year, they did a soundtrack to a movie, That's the way of the world. The movie was a flop, but the soundtrack stood its ground, obviously Earth, Wind and Fire were getting big.
1978 turned out to be another great year for the band, they had picked up three grammy awards. A good portion of 1979 was spent overseas doing tours in Europe and Japan. Mid ’79 saw the band topping the dance music charts with Boogie Wonderland
’80-’83 were probably the toughest years for the band, they were trying to outdo themselves in anyway possible. Everything got unorganized and the band started to drift away from one another.
In the early ‘90’s and late ‘90’s, they toured and made appearances on many talk shows like Oprah and Rosie O’Donnell. They have sold over 20 million albums and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In August, 2001, they released their documentary called, Shinning Stars, it’s topic was the last thirty years of the band's career. Earth, Wind and Fire launched a new worldwide tour. Don’t forget to check them out at a venue nearest you!
