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Earth, Wind, And Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire (abbreviated as EW&F or EWF) is an American band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1969. Their music spans multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide. The band was formed by Maurice White, originating out of the Salty Peppers; its history includes a hiatus from mid-1984 to mid-1987. Prominent members have included Verdine White, Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Robert Brookins, Sonny Emory, Freddie Ravel, Ronnie Laws, Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk. The band is known for its kalimba sound, dynamic horn section, energetic and elaborate stage shows, and the contrast between Bailey's falsetto and Maurice's tenor vocals. The band has won six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations. They have been inducted into the Rock and R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Earth And Fire
Earth and Fire were a Dutch rock and pop band. Formed in the Netherlands by twin brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts, and most popular in 1970, after adding singer Jerney Kaagman, who became its frontwoman. Earth and Fire's first eight singles were a practically uninterrupted string of top-5 hits in the Netherlands (1970-1974). Also charting in continental Europe, primarily in neighboring Belgium and Germany, the band never gained much popularity in the United Kingdom nor the United States. After moving to pop, their biggest hit was "Weekend" (1979), a number one disco track in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland. American copies were labeled as E & F olydor 2118 History Early history: The Singing Twins and The Swinging Strings Earth and Fire originated with the brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts from Voorschoten. As "The Singing Twins" they made music for family and friends since 1960, achieving a breakthrough of sorts at a talent show in 1962, at which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ralph Johnson (musician)
Ralph Randolph Johnson (born July 4, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Johnson is a member and percussionist of the funk/soul/disco band Earth, Wind & Fire. Early life Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles. His father was a lyricist and his mother was a vocalist, and they had music always playing in their home. At the age of eight years old Johnson received his first snare drum and drum lesson. Johnson developed a love of R&B music, listening mainly to Motown and Stax and Sly and the Family Stone. He played in elementary, junior high and high school bands. At age 13, he attended a James Brown concert, which was his first live concert and was amazed by the three drum sets on the stage. In 1965, Johnson's brother introduced him to the world of Jazz. He joined local bands "The Teen Turbans" and "The Masters Children". Earth, Wind and Fire In 1971, musician Maurice White the founder and bandleader of Earth, Wind & Fire, dismantled his band aft ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)
Sheldon Maurice Reynolds (September 13, 1959 – May 23, 2023) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was a member of bands Sun, The Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire. Career Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Reynolds began playing the guitar when he was eight years old, and by the age of 12 was considered a prodigy. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati. Reynolds toured with singer Millie Jackson. Reynolds later joined R&B band Sun, with whom he recorded three albums. During 1983 he became a member of The Commodores. With the Commodores he sang on their 1985 LP '' Nightshift'' and then played on their 1986 album '' United''. Altogether he featured with the band for four years. Reynolds then joined Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) in the roles of lead guitarist and co-vocalist. He went on to play on EWF's LPs '' Touch The World'' (1987), '' The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2'' (1988), ''Heritage'' (1990), ''Millennium'' (1993) and '' In The Name of Love'' (1997). W ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Freddie Ravel
Freddie Ravel is an American keyboardist, keynote speaker, author, composer and recording artist. He served as the musical director of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. Ravel's also worked with the likes of Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, Madonna and Al Jarreau. Biography Ravel was born and bred in Los Angeles to a Ukrainian-German-Polish father and a Colombian mother. He started playing the accordion at the age of 7 then moved on to play the drums, guitar and eventually the piano. He later received his Bachelor's Degree in Music graduating with cum laude honors from California State University. Ravel began performing around the world at age 23 with Brazilian icon Sergio Mendes where he was later signed by Universal Records. He eventually released three solo studio albums; ''Midnight Passion'', ''Sol to Soul'' and ''Freddie Ravel''. During 1988 Ravel became the musical director for Indian violinist L. Subramaniam. Within the following year he became a member of Sergio Mendes's band. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Al McKay
Albert Phillip McKay (born February 2, 1948) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. He is a former member of The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band and Earth, Wind & Fire. As a member of EW&F, during 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has also worked with artists such as Gene Harris, Patrice Rushen, The Temptations and Ramsey Lewis. McKay also leads his own band called the Al McKay All Stars. Biography Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, McKay's first professional gig was as a guitarist for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. He then went on to become a member of The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band. McKay later joined up with the band Earth, Wind & Fire in 1973. He eventually left the group in 1981. McKay now performs with his band, The Al McKay Allstars, performing a show called The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience. During 2001, the group released a studio album entitled ''Al Dente''. A live album called ''Live at Mt. Fuj ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andrew Woolfolk
Andrew Paul Woolfolk II (October 11, 1950 – April 24, 2022) was an American saxophonist. Woolfolk was a longtime member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire from 1973 to 1985, and from 1987 to 1993. He also collaborated with artists such as Deniece Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Phil Collins, Twennynine, Philip Bailey, and Level 42. Biography Woolfolk attended East High School in Denver, Colorado. In 1972 he joined the band Earth, Wind & Fire as a saxophonist and became a longstanding member. Woolfolk was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire in 2000. In 2017, Woolfolk was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Woolfolk died on April 24, 2022, after a long illness. Collaborations Aside from his work with EW&F, Woolfolk played the saxophone on Valerie Carter's 1977 album ''Just a Stone's Throw Away'', Deniece Williams' 1977 LP ''Song Bird'', Twennynine's 1979 album '' Best of Friends'', and Stanley Turrentine's 1981 LP ''Tender Toget ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn (born Lorenzo Russell Dunn; June 19, 1953) is an American keyboardist, producer, songwriter and musical director, known as one of the original members of the music group Earth, Wind & Fire. Dunn was inducted, as a former band member, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Dunn has received the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, 7 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Dunn is a co-composer of EWF's " Shining Star", a song that's been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. As a record producer, Dunn is best known for his work with Lenny White, Caldera, Ramsey Lewis, Level 42, Twennynine, Ronnie Laws, Raphael Saadiq, The Emotions, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Brian Culbertson. Career Earth, Wind & Fire Born as Lorenzo Dunn to an Italian mother and African American father, he early on became fond of music and later attended East High School in Denver, Colorado. During 197 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Roland Bautista
Roland Bautista (May 30, 1951 – February 29, 2012) was an American guitarist. He was best known for his work with Earth, Wind & Fire. He also worked with such artists as Ronnie Laws, The Crusaders (Houston group), The Crusaders, George Duke and Randy Crawford. Career Earth, Wind and Fire Bautista first played as a rhythm guitarist on Earth, Wind & Fire's 1972 album ''Last Days and Time''. He left the band soon after the album's release, but returned in 1981 to replace departed guitarist Al McKay. Bautista played on the Earth, Wind & Fire albums ''Raise!'', ''Powerlight'' and ''Electric Universe (album), Electric Universe'' from 1981 to 1983. The band then took a four-year hiatus, and Bautista did not return when they reformed in 1987. Work with other artists During 1967, Roland Bautista joined the Velvet Illusions, a teen band originally from Yakima, Washington, based in Hollywood, California. He played rhythm guitar with the Velvet Illusions at live shows and upon a t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ronnie Laws
Ronald Wayne Laws (born October 3, 1950) is an American jazz and smooth jazz saxophonist, and singer. He is the younger brother of jazz flutist Hubert Laws, jazz vocalist Eloise Laws and the older brother of Debra Laws. Biography Born and raised in Houston, Texas, United States, Laws is the fifth of eight children. He started playing the saxophone at the age of 11. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, for two years. In 1971, Laws journeyed to Los Angeles, California to embark upon a musical career. He started off by performing with trumpeter Hugh Masekela. In 1972, Laws joined the band Earth, Wind & Fire, where he played saxophone and flute on their album '' Last Days and Time''. After 18 months working with Earth, Wind and Fire, he decided to become a solo artist. In 1975, Laws issued his debut album entitled '' Pressure Sensitive'' on Blue Note Records. The album reached No. 25 on the ''Billboard'' Top Soul Albums chart. In 1976, Laws wen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jessica Cleaves
Jessica Marguerite Cleaves (December 10, 1948 – May 2, 2014) was an American singer and songwriter who was the lead singer of the Friends of Distinction, Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament Funkadelic, and Raw Silk. Early life Jessica Cleaves was born to Mary Gladys Cleaves (née Wilkerson), a librarian, and Lane C. Cleaves II, a US Postal employee. Cleaves' paternal grandfather, Lane C. Cleaves Sr., was Presiding Bishop over Phillips Temple, CME. Cleaves attended the California Institute of the Arts' School of Music and later studied at The University of California, Los Angeles. One of her classmates was the famed songwriter Skip Scarborough. Career The Friends of Distinction was founded by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, and beside Cleaves, it included Barbara Jean Love (plus Charlene Gibson, who replaced Love during her pregnancy). During 1971, Cleaves became a member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. She went on to appear on EWF's 1972 LP '' Last Days and Time'' and 1973 album ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wade Flemons
Wade Herbert Flemons (September 25, 1940 – October 13, 1993) was an American soul singer, songwriter, and musician. He was a founding member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. Early life He was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to Samuel and Kathyrine Flemons. His father was a minister, who introduced him to gospel music. After his parents' marriage ended in divorce, Wade moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where his mother was living, in 1955. Career While attending Battle Creek Central High School, Flemons came up with his first hit tune entitled "Here I Stand", a song which he wrote and recorded with his band, the New Comers. Released in 1958 by Chicago-based Vee-Jay Records under his own name, the tune peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Here I Stand"'s success soon earned him appearances upon both American Bandstand and the Alan Freed Show. A follow-up single from his self-titled debut solo album, "Easy Lovin'" cracked the top ten ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fred White (musician)
Fred E. White (born Frederick Eugene Adams; January 13, 1955 – January 1, 2023) was an American musician and songwriter. He was one of the early members of Earth, Wind & Fire. He previously played drums on Donny Hathaway's ''Live'' album. Earth, Wind & Fire consisting of Fred White along with half-brother Maurice White, brother Verdine White, and other members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. White died in Los Angeles on January 1, 2023, at age 67. Discography * 1969: "La La Time" – The Salty Peppers (tambourine) * 1969: "Mama's Baby Ain't A Baby No More" – Marilyn (Kitty) Hayward (drums) * 1970: "Do It Like Mama" – Simtec & Wylie (drums) * 1970: "Pass It On" – Pieces of Peace (drums) * 1971: "Mama Said Thank You" – Albertina Walker & The Caravans (drums) * 1972: ''Live'' – Donny Hathaway (drums) * 1973: '' Fully Exposed'' – Willie Hutch (drums) * 1973: '' Extension of a Man'' – Donny Hathaway (drums) * 1974: '' Howdy Moon'' – ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
