Earth, Wind & Fire are an American multi-genre band, "founded by," Maurice White (vocals, drums, percussion) in 1969, the: bands original line-up included Maurice, alongside his brother Verdine White (bass), guitarist Michael Beal, pianists and vocalists Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, vocalist Sherry Scott, trumpeter Leslie Drayton, trombonist Alexander Thomas. And saxophonist Chester Washington.
The band, since Maurice's death in 2016, currently consists of Verdine (a constant member), vocalists/percussionists Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson (both since 1972) and B. David Whitworth (since 1996), keyboardist Myron McKinley and drummer John Paris (both since 2001), lead guitarist Morris O'Connor (since 2008), vocalist Philip Doron Bailey (since 2009) and rhythm guitarist Serg Dimitrijevic (since 2012).
Historyβ»
Maurice White first founded Earth, Wind & Fire in 1969, alongside his friends Wade Flemons (vocals) and Don Whitehead (bass and keyboards), as a song writing trio known as "The Salty Peppers". After releasing two singles, theββband moved from Chicagoββto Los Angeles, adding singer Sherry Scott, percussionist Yackov Ben Israel. And Maurice's brother Verdine on bass. The band soon changed their nameββto Earth, Wind & Fire soon after, after auditioning in L.A., the band added Michael Beal on guitar, Chester Washington on reeds, Leslie Drayton on trumpet, and Alex Thomas on trombone.
After releasing two album, the White brothers completely rebuild the band in 1972 with vocalist Helena Davis (soon replaced by Jessica Cleaves), woodwind player Ronnie Laws, guitarist Roland Bautista, keyboardist Larry Dunn, vocalist Philip Bailey and percussionist Ralph Johnson. After releasing another album, Laws and "Bautista left the "band,"" Laws was replaced by Bailey's school friend Andrew Woolfolk, and Bautista was replaced by Al McKay and Johnny Graham. This line-up recorded a new album, following its release in 1973, Jessica Cleaves left the band and was not replaced.
In 1974 the band were joined by Maurice and Verdine's brother Fred White as co drummer. In 1975, the band were expanded to feature a horn section, called the EWF. Or Phenix Horns, which featured Don Myrick on saxophone, Louis "Lui Lui" Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet, and Michael Harris on trumpet. This line-up remained until 1981, when Al McKay left, he was replaced by the returning Bautista. After releasing three more albums, Maurice put the band on hiatus in 1984
The band returned in 1987, with returning members Verdine and Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey and Andrew Woolfolk, and new members guitarists/vocalists Sheldon Reynolds and Dick Smith, keyboardist Vance Taylor, and drummer Sonny Emory. As well as a new horn section dubbed Earth, Wind & Fire Horns, consisting of Gary Bias on the saxophone, Raymond Lee Brown on the trumpet, and Reggie Young on flugelhorn and trombone.
Smith left the band in 1991. Between 1992 and 1994, the band were joined by second keyboardist Fred Ravel, Morris Pleasure replaced Vance Taylor in 1993, playing keyboards and bass between 1993 and 2001, and David Romero played percussion between 1993 and 2002. B. David Whitworth also joined on percussion and vocalist in 1996. Robert Brookins joined on second keyboards in 1998.
Emory was replaced by Gorden Campbell in 1999, Morris Pleasure departed in 2001, and was replaced by Myron McKinley. Bobby Gonzales joined as second guitarist in 2001, John Paris replaced Campbell in 2001. Sheldon Reynolds, David Romero and Bobby Gonzales all departed in 2002, they were replaced by guitarist John Johnson and percussionist Daniel de los Reyes, Kimberly Brewer also joined as female vocalist. These three new members all departed in 2004, alongside keyboardist Robert Brookins. Krystal Bailey joined as female vocalist, though she was soon replaced Kim Johnson. Vadim Zilbershtein and Greg "G-Mo" Moore both joined as guitarists in 2004 and 2002 respectively. Zilbershtein departed in 2008, he was replaced Morris O'Connor. Bailey son, Philip Doron Bailey Jr. joined as a vocalist in 2009. Moore left in 2014, and the band were joined Serg Dimitrijevic in 2012.
Founder Maurice White died February 4, 2016, he was still a member of the band though he hadn't toured with the band regularly for a few years.
Membersβ»
Currentβ»
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Verdine White |
|
|
all releases | |
Philip Bailey |
|
|
all releases from Last Days and Time (1972) onwards | |
Ralph Johnson |
| |||
B. David Whitworth | 1996βpresent |
|
The Promise (2003) | |
Myron McKinley | 2001βpresent |
|
| |
John Paris |
|
| ||
Morris O'Connor | 2008βpresent |
|
| |
Philip Doron Bailey | 2009βpresent |
|
||
Serg Dimitrijevic | 2012βpresent |
|
Holiday (2014) |
Formerβ»
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maurice White |
|
|
all releases from Earth, Wind & Fire (1971) to The Classic Christmas Album (2015) | |
Wade Flemons | 1970β1972 (died 1993) |
|
| |
Michael Beal | 1970β1972 |
| ||
Leslie Drayton | trumpet | |||
Yackov Ben Israel (aka Phillard Williams) |
| |||
Sherry Scott | vocals | |||
Alexander Thomas | trombone | |||
Chester Washington | tenor saxophone | |||
Don Whitehead |
| |||
Helena Dixon | 1972 | vocals | none | |
Roland Bautista |
|
|
| |
Jessica Cleaves | 1972β1973 (died 2014) | vocals |
| |
Larry Dunn | 1972β1984 |
|
| |
Ronnie Laws | 1972β1973 |
|
Last Days and Time (1972) | |
Johnny Graham | 1973β1981 |
|
| |
Al McKay | 1973β1980 |
|
| |
Andrew Woolfolk |
|
|
| |
Fred White | 1974β1984 (died 2023) |
|
| |
Beloyd Taylor | 1981β1982 (died 2014) |
|
| |
Sonny Emory | 1987β1999 |
|
| |
Sheldon Reynolds | 1987β2002 (died 2023) |
|
| |
Dick Smith | 1987β1991 | Heritage (1990) | ||
David Lautrec | 1990 | keyboards | none | |
Mike McKnight | 1987β1999 |
|
none | |
Vance Taylor | 1987β1993 |
| ||
Fred Ravel | 1993β1994 | |||
Morris Pleasure | 1993β2001 |
|
In the Name of Love (1997) | |
David Romero | 1993β2002 | percussion | ||
Robert Brookins | 1998β2004 (died 2009) |
|
none | |
Gorden Campbell | 1999β2001 | drums | ||
Bobby Gonzales | 2001β2002 |
| ||
Daniel de los Reyes | 2002β2004 | percussion | The Promise (2003) | |
John Johnson |
|
none | ||
Kimberly Brewer | vocals | |||
Krystal Bailey | 2004 | |||
Kim Johnson | 2004β2009 | |||
Greg "G-Mo" Moore | 2002β2014 |
| ||
Vadim Zilbershtein | 2004β2008 |
|
Phenix Horns (1975β1983) / Earth, Wind & Fire Horns (1987βpresent)β»
Currentβ»
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gary Bias | 1987βpresent |
|
| |
Reggie Young | trombone |
| ||
Bobby Burns. Jr | 2004βpresent | trumpet | none |
Formerβ»
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rahmlee Michael Davis | 1975β1983 | trumpet |
| |
Michael Harris |
| |||
Don Myrick | 1975β1983 (died 1993) | saxophone | ||
Louis Satterfield | 1975β1983 (died 2004) | trombone | ||
Elmer Brown | 1979 | trumpet | none | |
Raymond Lee Brown | 1987β2004 |
Timelineβ»
Line-upsβ»
The following is: a complete chronology of the various line-ups of Earth, Wind & Fire, from the group's inception in 1971 until the present day.
Period | Members | Studio releases |
---|---|---|
1970β1972 |
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1972β1973 |
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1973 |
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1973β1981 |
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1981β1982 |
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1982β1984 |
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|
1984β1987 | Hiatus | |
1987β1991 |
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1991β1992 |
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1992β1993 |
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1993β1996 |
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1996β1998 |
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1998β1999 |
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1999β2001 |
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2001β2002 |
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2002 |
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2002β2004 |
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2004 |
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2004β2008 |
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2008β2012 |
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2012β2016 |
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2016βpresent |
|
Referencesβ»
- ^ "Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire, Aug 18, 2015, PNC Bank Arts Center". August 18, 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ "MEMBERS". Earth Wind & Fire. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Hogan, Ed. "The Salty Peppers Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Washburn, Jim (December 21, 1990). "Sherry Scott Belts Out Thrilling Jazz in Her Rich Alto". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Nathan, David (1992). The Eternal Dance. Columbia Records.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Earth, Wind & Fire". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
- ^ Hagwood Stafford, Ron (June 14, 2010). "Earth, Wind & Fire in their element". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ "Freddie Ravel". www.smooth-jazz.de. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Louie, Jones (August 4, 2009). "Interview with Mo Pleasure". blogtalkradio.com. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White -- Dead at 74". TMZ. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-14.