Live Review: Earth Wind and Fire in Waterbury, CT
... Since 1969,
Earth Wind and Fire has defined the genre of high energy pop funk, as well as contributing some of the most endearing romantic ballads to the contemporary American music scene. And while co-founder Maurice White is long retired, his brother and bassist Verdine White, percussionist / vocalist Ralph Johnson and lead singer Philip Bailey have carried on with great success, continuing to perform around the world in concert. On Wednesday (5/8), the day of his 62nd birthday, Bailey and EWF arrived for an almost sold-out show at Waterbury, CT'sPalace Theater ready to pump up the excited crowd which represented at least three generations of fans. Live Review:
Earth Wind and Fire in Waterbury, CT ...
[ read more ]Earth, Wind & Fire, Charlie Wilson and More Head to 'Jazz in the Gardens'
... www.jazzinthegardens.com.Share this:Google +1FacebookTwitterPinterestPrintMoreEmailDiggLinkedInRedditTumblrStumbleUponRelated News on EURweb:Jazz Icon Ramsey Lewis Talks Playboy Jazz Fest & the State of Jazz (Video)Long Beach Jazz Festival Founder Talks Event's 25 Year History and LegacyCharlie Wilson, B.o.B., Cee-Lo Booked for Beale Street Music FestEssence and Charlie Wilson Hook Up to Sell Items from His 'Uncle Charlie' Line During Essence FestivalEarth Wind & Fire Founder Maurice White is NOT Dead
Earth, Wind & Fire, Charlie Wilson and More Head to 'Jazz in the Gardens' ...
[ read more ]New Jimi Hendrix album to reveal he invented Earth, Wind and Fire sound
... later joined Band of Gypsys. More than straight rock'n'roll and blues, this music incorporates horns, keyboards, percussion and a second guitar, Rolling Stone reported. Janie Hendrix compared it to the sound of one of the 70s great fusion bands: "The way [Jimi] was describing it in 1969 was what
Earth, Wind and Fire became," she said. "That's what we would have had: richer, bigger bands with more sounds and more cultures. There would have been a definite evolution." Before People, Hell and Angels is released on 5 March, the Hendrix estate will mark what would have been his 70th birthday by organising screenings of his 1969 Woodstock appearance. The legendary set will be shown at dozens of cinemas across the UK, from 29 November to 4 December, based on original 16mm footage from the festival. New Jimi Hendrix album to reveal he invented
Earth, Wind and Fire sound ...
[ read more ]
Earth, Wind & Fire
(1969-)
Maurice White (vocals, percussion)
Verdine White (bass)
Philip Bailey (vocals, percussion) 1972-
Larry Dunn (keyboards) 1972-
Ralph Johnson (drums) 1972-
Johnny Graham (guitar) 1973-1983
Al McKay (guitar) 1973-1981
Artistfacts®: You can leave comments about the artist/band at the bottom of the page.
Earth, Wind & Fire got their name from drummer and founding member Maurice White's astrological sign. White's sign is Sagittarius, which has the primary elemental quality of Fire and the seasonal qualities of Earth and Air. "Earth, Air & Fire" didn't sound right, so "Air" became "Wind." White was previously in a band signed to Capitol Records called Salty Peppers; Maurice developed an interest in astrology and Egyptology while he was touring the world with them.
In 1975, Earth, Wind & Fire scored the soundtrack to a film about the dark side of the music industry called That's The Way of the World. EWF also appeared in the film as a band called "The Group." When Harvey Keitel's character sees "The Group" live, he produces their first album. The movie was a bomb but EWF's soundtrack was a huge hit, spending three weeks at #1.
In 1995, Earth, Wind & Fire received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Several of the band's original members attended the unveiling ceremony. Later that year, drummer and founding member Maurice White announced that he would no longer be touring with the rest of the band, leaving Philip Bailey to handle most of the vocal duties at concerts.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Earth, Wind & Fire held a benefit concert in Virginia to raise money for the American Red Cross. The show raised $25,000 for the charity. The band also performed at the closing ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire performed as part of a tribute to funk music at the 46th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. The band was joined onstage by Parliament Funkadelic, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and OutKast, who incorporated their hit "The Way You Move" into the mash-up.
President Barack Obama is a fan of Earth, Wind & Fire. In 2009, the group became one of the first musical acts to play at the White House since Obama took office in late 2008. The band played at the Governors' Dinner.
Sometimes bands find inspiration in unlikely places. The Swedish metal band Meshuggah has stated that Earth, Wind & Fire was the source of inspiration behind their 1995 album Destroy Erase Improve.
Tragedy struck the Earth, Wind & Fire family in 1993 when original saxophonist Don Myrick was fatally shot by a police officer. When attempting to serve a search warrant, the officer mistook a butane lighter in Myrick's hand for a weapon. Myrick was shot once in the chest and later died in hospital. In 1995, Myrick's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles for $400,000.
Comments:
Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"
The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."
Brad Smith of Blind Melon
The Blind Melon bassist/songwriter tells the story of "No Rain," which he wrote before the band was formed.
Brandi Carlile
As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.
the day my Mum died............. RIP SONJA ADRIANA......