Earth, Wind & Fire ruled the charts of the mid-to-late ’70s like no other band. Even now, the joyful sound of “September” conjures the sunny optimism of the Me Decade, haunting “After the Love Has Gone” brings back memories of the one who got away and “Boogie Wonderland” transports listeners to the days of disco. Masterful musicianship that fused jazz, funk and R&B and the yin and yang vocals of Philip Bailey and late bandleader Maurice White—not to mention a brassy, high energy live presentation with state-of-the-art stage design and boldly colored costumes—made Earth, Wind & Fire one of the most distinctive and successful acts of the era.
Although the band’s success would be a result of blending many talents, it started with White’s vision and boundless enthusiasm. Raised in Memphis, White’s earliest musical influences came from Mahalia Jackson and Ray Charles records his grandmother played in the house. He moved to Chicago to study music formally, and played drums on Chess Records sessions for Etta James and Willie Dixon before joining the Ramsey Lewis Trio. By 1970 he had moved to LA, obtained a contract with Warner Bros., formed an ensemble and convinced his bassist brother Verdine White to move west.
The first lineup of Earth, Wind & Fire released two albums and recorded the first great blaxploitation soundtrack in Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. White dissolved that group except for Verdine and created a new roster that included Bailey, who possessed a four-octave vocal range, and current drummer Ralph Johnson. White, who thought of himself as the band’s quarterback, had a vision that melded jazz, rock and soul with new age spiritualism and positivity, and the second lineup of Earth, Wind & Fire was capable of realizing it. A move to Columbia Records and a revamped live show that included contributions from magicians Doug Henning and David Copperfield set the stage for the next wildly successful phase.
By 1975 Earth, Wind & Fire struck gold with the single “Shining Star” and had a No. 1 album with That’s the Way of the World. The hits continued through the rest of the decade, capping off in the summer of 1979 with “Boogie Wonderland” and “After the Love Has Gone.” The band would have more hits, including monster 1981 dance floor smash “Let’s Groove,” but the 1976 death of producer/mentor Charles Stepney and changing musical tastes eventually set Earth, Wind & Fire adrift on the pop landscape.
Although White put the musicians on hiatus during the mid-’80s, Earth, Wind & Fire regrouped and remain active live. White gave an acceptance speech when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and gave his blessing for the band to continue playing live when he had to withdraw from active participation. He passed away in 2016, but Verdine, Bailey and Johnson continue to lead a crack team of musicians that bring the spice of life to stages year round, including a new residency in Las Vegas at The Venetian. White can rest easy knowing they’re still calling his plays.
The Venetian, 8 p.m. May 2, 4-5, 9 & 11-12, $59-$299 plus tax and fee. 702.414.9000
