• 1969-

  Maurice WhiteVocals, percussion1969-2016

  Verdine WhiteBass

  Philip BaileyVocals, percussion1972-

  Larry DunnKeyboards1972-1984

  Ralph JohnsonDrums1972-

  Johnny GrahamGuitar1973-1983

  Al McKayGuitar1973-1981

  Fred WhiteDrums, percussion1974-1984
• 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.
• A white songwriter named Allee Willis co-wrote several hits with the band, including "September" and "Boogie Wonderland." Allee told us that before writing with the band, Maurice White had her read the book The Greatest Salesman In The World.
• 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: 1

• Glen from Cronulla, AustraliaThis song always made me happy , until the day I understood what date the lyrics state,,,,, the 21 st of September ..........
  the day my Mum died............. RIP SONJA ADRIANA......

More Songfacts:

(Don't Fear) The ReaperBlue Öyster Cult

Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult wrote "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" after he was diagnosed with a heart condition and started thinking about his own mortality.

AmenKid Rock

Kid Rock performed his song "Amen" at Barack Obama's inaugural, but claims he didn't vote for him.

Oh Happy DayThe Edwin Hawkins Singers

"Oh Happy Day" was recorded in a church and sold to raise money for the choir. It's the only genuine gospel song to become a pop hit.

FireThe Pointer Sisters

Bruce Springsteen originally wrote "Fire" for Elvis Presley in 1977, and even sent him a demo. Sadly the King died before he ever heard it, and it was left to the Pointer Sisters to record the song.

Family AffairMary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige introduced three new words with her hit "Family Affair": hateration, holleration and dancerie.

Rapper's DelightThe Sugarhill Gang

The first rap song to make the Hot 100 was "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang in 1979. At the time, many considered rap a fad that would soon pass.

Editor's Picks

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Sam PhillipsSongwriter Interviews

Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.