Warner Bros. The Need of Love. Last Days and Time. RIAA : Platinum [29]. RIAA: Platinum [29]. That's the Way of the World. RIAA: Gold [29]. Electric Universe. RIAJ : Gold [21]. In the Name of Love. The Promise. BPI: Silver [30]. Greatest Hits Live. That's the Way of the World: Alive in ' Live in Rio. Another Time. The Collection. BPI: Gold [36]. The Eternal Dance. The Very Best. Dance Tracks. RIAJ: Gold [21].
Elements of Love: Ballads. BPI: Gold [37]. Greatest Hits. The Ultimate Collection. NVPI: Gold [32]. Love Songs. The Greatest Hits. BPI: Gold [38]. The Classic Christmas Album. Earth, Wind and Fire. Head to the Sky. Open Our Eyes.
Sun Goddess. All 'n All. The band has won 6 Grammys from their 17 nominations [12] and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations. In , Maurice White , a former session drummer for Chess Records and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio , joined two friends in Chicago, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team composing songs and commercials in the Chicago area.
The three friends eventually got a recording contract with Capitol Records. Maurice moved on from Chicago to Los Angeles. He added to the band singer Sherry Scott [18] and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, both from Chicago, and then asked his younger brother Verdine how he would feel about heading out to the West Coast.
On June 6, , Verdine left Chicago to join the band as their new bassist. Maurice began shopping demo tapes of the band, featuring Donny Hathaway , around to different record labels and the band was eventually signed to Warner Bros. Maurice's astrological sign , Sagittarius , has a primary elemental quality of fire and seasonal qualities of earth and air , according to classical triplicities. Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the autumn, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air.
Hence the omission of Water , the fourth classical element. Maurice held further auditions in L. With Maurice as a percussionist and lead vocalist Drayton also served as the group's musical arranger. Warner Bros also designated Joe Wissert to be the band's producer.
The band's self-titled debut album was released in February on Warner Bros. The album got to No. Must there be a label? The LP got to No. The band developed a growing popularity on college campuses but, in spite of this, some members of EWF started to become restless. As such the band eventually split. With only Verdine left, Maurice decided to re-form the group. The band successfully auditioned for managers Bob Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo.
Davis was very impressed with the band's performance and bought out their contract from Warner Bros. Wissert also, went along with the band to Columbia, as their producer. A single called "Mom" got to No. Soon thereafter, Roland Bautista and Ronnie Laws left the band to pursue new musical opportunities. Woolfolk had been busy in New York studying sax with sax maestro Joe Henderson and was due to start a career in banking at the time. To fill the void created by Bautista's departure, rhythm guitarists Al McKay and Johnny Graham were added to round out the new lineup.
Rhythm Band. The album rose to No. Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone declared that EWF "sound like a cosmic choir and generate a Sly Stone effect" on an album that's "certainly beyond all expectations". A single off the LP titled " Evil " got to No. The band's follow-up album was co-produced by Maurice and Joe Wissert. The Village Voice ' s Robert Christgau also described the album as a complete "tour de force". The band then collaborated with Ramsey Lewis on his album Sun Goddess which was produced by Maurice and issued in late by Columbia.
With a screenplay from Robert Lipsyte , the film was produced and directed by Shore. Keitel played the role of a record producer who hears "The Group" performing and is wowed by their act. When the band saw the film they were convinced that it would become a box office bomb , which it eventually was. Stepney had previously worked with artists such as the Dells , Terry Callier and Minnie Riperton and the collective group the Rotary Connection , of which Riperton was a member.
Stepney's writing and production style included a more ornate, orchestral flourish, which influenced the production of the soundtrack album. That's the Way of the World was eventually issued in March by Columbia. By this achievement, EWF became the first Black act to top both the Billboard album and singles charts. It reached No. With the album's success the band was able to hire their own horn section , dubbed the Phenix Horns.
Myrick and Satterfield had both previously worked with White during his days as a session drummer at Chess Records. The band eventually came away with an album of mostly live concert material together with some newly recorded tracks. As a double LP the new album titled Gratitude was issued in November During , White also established a production company called Kalimba Productions. Artists such as his former bandleader Ramsey Lewis; singer Deniece Williams , who had once been a member of Stevie Wonder 's "Wonderlove" backup group; and girl group the Emotions , were signed to the production company.
Maurice loaned the band's signature Phenix Horns and most of the other band members and put these and others artists who were signed to Kalimba Productions on tour with EWF. With Stepney's death, White went on to produce on his own the band's new LP, Spirit , which was issued in October With the album's title EWF paid tribute to Stepney. A single off the LP called " Getaway " reached No. During this period, EWF concerts started to become loaded with pyrotechnics, magic, laser lights, flying pyramids, levitating guitarists and elaborate production tricks that included the entire group ascending in a pyramid and a disappearing act.
The stage magician Doug Henning was thus with many of their tours with his young assistant and eventual successor, David Copperfield. The band also began to be choreographed by George Faison. EWF also appeared in the July feature film Sgt. The song was eventually added to the film's soundtrack. However, the film was a commercial failure, as That's the Way of the World had been years before. A single titled " September " rose to No.
The LP rose to No. This LP was in the emerging post-disco style and was partly recorded on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. In a interview, when asked which EWF album was his favorite, Maurice White replied: "Probably Faces because we were really in tune White decided that, given the changing musical landscape, the band needed to incorporate into their work more of the electronic sound which was popular at the time. As a result, EWF's eleventh album, Raise! Bautista went on to give the band's sound a bit of a hard rock feel with his playing.
Ken Tucker of Rolling Stone described Raise! One song from album, called " Let's Groove ," reached No. Another song, titled " I've Had Enough ", got to No. In , the Phenix Horns also began their frequent collaborations with Phil Collins and his band Genesis. The album's first single " Fall in Love with Me " rose to No. With the album came a unique fully new wave and synth pop sound for EWF. This is the best disc this outfit has put together in quite some time.
A song from the album called " Magnetic " rose to No. During their hiatus, Maurice went on to produce Barbra Streisand on her album Emotion. The album reached No. A cover of Ben E. King 's " Stand by Me " got to No. That album got to No. Philip Bailey also issued his second solo album, Chinese Wall , in on Columbia. Verdine White went on to promote go-go bands like Trouble Funk and E.
During , Maurice went about reconvening the band. With this came the studio album Touch the World which was issued in November On the album was a track written by an unknown songwriter by the name of Skylark titled " System of Survival ". People magazine described Heritage as an album "with a full dose of energy and creativity". The album's title track , featuring The Boys , got to No.
Songs on the album were composed by both American and Soviet musicians and songwriters. A sum of the proceeds went to the AFS Intercultural Exchanges programme, an international body based in 70 countries which places exchange students with host families. The LP was the band's first ever boxset. The Boston Globe also placed The Eternal Dance on their lists of the top ten recordings of both and During September , came the release of the band's 16th studio album, Millennium issued on Warner Bros.
The album also rose to No. The album's first single " Sunday Morning " got to No. The song also reached No. At the label also came a recording studio known as Magnet Vision. The album went on to be noted as one with a digitised neo soul sound and style.
Another song called " Change Your Mind " was issued as a single in by Kalimba. During the previous year, Maurice stopped regularly touring with the band but still appeared on stage occasionally. At the time, he explained that he wanted to take a rest from the rigors of the road.
Philip Bailey was given the role of an on stage leader of the band. Maurice though maintained executive control of EWF as its main leader.
Maurice later spoke of a mild affliction with Parkinson's disease. The remix sampler got to No. On July 7, , the band was inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk. On this album EWF collaborated with artists such as will. Illumination reached No. Raymond Fiore of Entertainment Weekly described the LP as a mix of "modern beats and retro, horn-lined soul". A song from the album, called " Pure Gold ", reached No.
The single got to No. Maurice co-wrote with Allee Willis several new songs for the play. The album rose to no. The concert was broadcast to over countries. The audience at the gala was so impressed by EWF's performance that the band was bestowed with the Gaviota de Plata The Silver Seagull , which is the highest award that can be presented to an artist performing at the festival. EWF's song "In the Stone" has also been used for several years as the introductory theme for the festival's broadcasts.
During the ceremony Verdine White and Johnson both gave acceptance speeches before all four honorees gave an impromptu performance of "Shining Star". During February the band participated in the recording of the " We Are the World 25 for Haiti " single. The song went on to appear on his album Authentic. On January 13, , former percussionist Beloyd Taylor, who co-wrote the band's hit "Getaway", died. EWF founder and leader Maurice White died on February 4, , after suffering for some years with Parkinson's disease.
He was survived by his wife, his two sons, daughter and his brothers Verdine and Fred. Miles Davis described EWF as his "all time favorite band", saying, "they have everything horns, electric guitar, singers and more in one band". From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Not to be confused with Earth and Fire. For the elements, see Classical element. For the Cappadonna album, see Eyrth, Wynd and Fyre. American band. Warner Bros.
NPR Music. Retrieved January 23, Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Kalimba Story. Rolling Stone. September 29, Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
The Guardian. Retrieved November 1, The Eternal Dance. Columbia Records. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. November 23, July 7, The Washington Times. Kennedy Center. December 8, Retrieved November 26, Los Angeles Times. Goldmine Magazine. Retrieved May 6, Detroit Free Press.
Stax Records. April Jazz Journal. July 13, Chicago Sun-Times. The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 4, Record Mirror. November 17, Los Angeles Daily News. March 23, June 20, ProQuest — via Proquest.
He died May 17, , in Chicago, IL, at the age of Their live performances were stellar as well. Their performances blasted a cosmic wave of peace, love and other happy vibrations to audiences using a combination of eye-popping costumes, lights, pyrotechnics and plain old good music. Sometimes they even threw in magic illusions.
I see our music as medicine. In , Maurice decided he and the band needed a break. During this hiatus, Maurice recorded his self-titled solo album Maurice White and produced various artists including Neal Diamond, Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Holliday. In the group released the album Heritage. The appearance of such a project after a prolonged period of relative inactivity signaled to many listeners that the band was calling it quits but that did not turn out to be case.
Expanding awareness and uplifting spirits is so important in this day. People are looking for more. I hope our music can give them some encouragement and peace. Your current browser isn't compatible with SoundCloud. Please download one of our supported browsers. Need help? Chrome Firefox Safari Internet Explorer. Something went wrong Is your network connection unstable or browser outdated? Reasons 7. Sing a Message To You 8.
Shining Star 9. New World Symphony Interlude 1 Sunshine Sing A Song Gratitude Celebrate Interlude 2 Can't Hide Love Shining Star 2. Happy Feelin' 4.
All About Love 5. Yearnin' Learnin' 6. Africano 8. GetaWay 2. On Your Face 3. Imagination 4. Spirit 5. Saturday Nite 6. Departure 8. Biyo 9. Serpentine Fire 2. Fantasy 3. In The Marketplace Interlude 4. Jupiter 5. Love's Holiday 6. Brazilian Rhyme Interlude 7. Magic Mind 9. Runnin' Brazilian Rhyme Interlude In The Stone 2. Can't Let Go 3. After The Love Has Gone 4.
Let Your Feelings Show 5. Boogie Wonderland 6. Star 7. Wait 8. Rock That! Let Me Talk 2. Turn It Into Something Good 3.
Pride 4. You 5. Sparkle 6. Back On The Road 7. Song In My Heart 8. You Went Away 9. And Love Goes On Sailaway Take It To The Sky Win Or Lose Share Your Love In Time Faces Raise! Let's Groove 2. Lady Sun 3. My Love 4. Evolution Orange 5. Kalimba Tree 6. You Are A Winer 7.
I've Had Enough 8. Wana Be With You 9. Fall In Love With Me 2. Spread Your Love 3. Side By Side 4. Straight From The Heart 5. The Speed Of Love 6. Freedom Of Choice 7. Something Special 8. Hearts To Heart 9. Magnetic 2. Touch 3. Moonwalk 4. Could It Be Right 5. Spirit Of A New World 6. Sweet Sassy Lady 7. System Of Survival 2. Evil Roy 3. Thinking Of You 4. You And I 5. Musical Interlude: New Horizons 6.
Money Tight 7. Every Now And Then 8. Touch The World 9. Here Today And Gone Tomorrow Interlude: Soweto 2. Takin' Chances 3. Heritage 4. Good Time 5. Interlude: Body Wrap 6. Anything You Want 7. Interlude: Bird 8. Wanna Be The Man 9. Interlude: Close To Home Daydreamin' King Of Groove I'm In Love For The Love Of You Motor Interlude: Faith Welcome Even If You Wonder 2.
Sunday Morning 3. Blood Brothers 4. Kalimba Interlude 5. Spend The Night 6. Divine 7. Two Hearts 8. Honor The Magic 9. Love Is The Greatest Story The L Word Just Another Lonely Night Super Hero Love Across The Wire
