Earth, Wind and Fire was founded in 1970 by Maurice White – who had previously been the drummer with modern jazz pioneer John Coltrane, and who had also backed Muddy Waters.
The seven-piece band topped the US charts in 1975 with Shining Star, crossing over into the pop chart.
Their remarkable stage act was an extraordinary mixture of music, illusion, sci-fi pyrotechnics and choreography, and featured a revolving drummer and a flying bass player.
Maurice White died in February 2016 at the age of 74. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease since the late ’80s.
Drummer Fred White passed away in January 2023 aged 67.
Wade Flemmons Vocals, keyboards
Sherry Scott
Vocals
Philip Bailey Vocals, percussion
Maurice White Vocals, drums, percussion
Michael Beale
Guitar
Don Whitehead Piano, vocals
Verdine White
Bass Fred White
Drums
Alex Thomas
Trombone
Chet Washington
Tenor saxophone
Yackov Ben Israel
Percussion
Jessica Cleaves
Vocals
Roland Bautista
Guitar
Larry Dunn
Keyboards
Ronnie Laws Saxophone, flute, guitar
Ralph Johnson
Drums, percussion Al McKay Guitar Andrew Woodfolk Horns Johnny Graham Horns
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