Earth, Wind & Fire

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Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) is an American musical institution that redefined the boundaries of popular music by seamlessly blending R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, and Afro-pop. Founded in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White, the group emerged from an earlier outfit called the Salty Peppers to become one of the best-selling bands in history, with global record sales exceeding 90 million.

The band's foundation was built on the vision of Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records. After relocating to Los Angeles, White expanded the group's lineup and sonic palette. While the roster evolved over decades, core members such as Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson became synonymous with the EWF identity. Other significant contributors throughout their history include Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Andrew Woolfolk, and Ronnie Laws.

Genres

Funk Soul Disco R&B Dance

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Style over time

Genres of the artist's albums over the years: the higher the line, the stronger the genre on that album

Similar artists

Artists on air on the same radio stations and in the same genres

Barry WhiteKool & the GangChicCommodores

Stevie WonderDonna SummerThe JacksonsDiana RossMarvin Gaye

Michael Jackson

Sister Sledge

Bee Gees

Earth, Wind & Fire members

Current members: Verdine White (bass guitar, original), Ralph Johnson (drums (drum set), lead vocals, percussion), Philip Bailey (congas, lead vocals, mbira, percussion), B. David Whitworth (lead vocals, percussion), Myron McKinley (keyboard), John Paris (drums (drum set)), Kim Johnson (lead vocals), Greg Moore (guitar family, lead vocals), Morris O'Connor (guitar), Philip Bailey, Jr. (lead vocals), DJ Demp (additional)

Former members: Maurice White (drums (drum set), lead vocals, mbira, original, percussion), Andrew Woolfolk (flute, percussion, saxophone), Sheldon Reynolds (guitar, lead vocals), Larry Dunn (keyboard, Minimoog, synthesizer), Sonny Emory (drums (drum set), lead vocals), Johnny Graham (guitar, percussion, trumpet), Fred White (drums (drum set), percussion), Gary L. Morgan (drums (drum set), guitar, lead vocals, percussion), Al McKay (guitar, lead vocals, percussion, sitar), Morris Pleasure (bass guitar, keyboard), Vance Taylor (keyboard), Robert Brookins (keyboard), David Romero (percussion), Vadim Zilberstein (guitar, lead vocals), Dick Smith (guitar, lead vocals), Daniel de los Reyes (percussion), Freddie Ravel (keyboard), John Johnson (guitar, lead vocals), Kimberly Brewer (lead vocals), Don Whitehead (electric piano, lead vocals, original, piano), Wayne Vaughn (keyboard), Michael Beal (guitar, harmonica, original), Leslie Drayton (original, trumpet), Yackov Ben Israel (congas, original, percussion) (+12)