List of Earth, Wind & Fire band members
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Earth, Wind & Fire are an American multi-genre band, founded by Maurice White (vocals, drums, percussion) in 1969, the bands original line-up included Maurice, alongside his brother Verdine White (bass), guitarist Michael Beal, pianists and vocalists Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, vocalist Sherry Scott, trumpeter Leslie Drayton, trombonist Alexander Thomas and saxophonist Chester Washington.[2]
The band, since Maurice's death in 2016, currently consists of Verdine (a constant member), vocalists/percussionists Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson (both since 1972) and B. David Whitworth (since 1996), keyboardist Myron McKinley and drummer John Paris (both since 2001), lead guitarist Morris O'Connor (since 2008), vocalist Philip Doron Bailey (since 2009) and rhythm guitarist Serg Dimitrijevic (since 2012).[citation needed]
History
Maurice White first founded Earth, Wind & Fire in 1969, alongside his friends Wade Flemons (vocals) and Don Whitehead (bass and keyboards), as a song writing trio known as "The Salty Peppers".[3] After releasing two singles, the band moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, adding singer Sherry Scott,[4] percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, and Maurice's brother Verdine on bass.[5] The band soon changed their name to Earth, Wind & Fire soon after, after auditioning in L.A., the band added Michael Beal on guitar, Chester Washington on reeds, Leslie Drayton on trumpet, and Alex Thomas on trombone.[5]
After releasing two album, the White brothers completely rebuild the band in 1972 with vocalist Helena Davis (soon replaced by Jessica Cleaves), woodwind player Ronnie Laws, guitarist Roland Bautista, keyboardist Larry Dunn, vocalist Philip Bailey and percussionist Ralph Johnson.[6] After releasing another album, Laws and Bautista left the band, Laws was replaced by Bailey's school friend Andrew Woolfolk, and Bautista was replaced by Al McKay and Johnny Graham. This line-up recorded a new album, following its release in 1973, Jessica Cleaves left the band and was not replaced.[5]
In 1974 the band were joined by Maurice and Verdine's brother Fred White as co drummer.[6] In 1975, the band were expanded to feature a horn section, called the EWF or Phenix Horns, which featured Don Myrick on saxophone, Louis "Lui Lui" Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet, and Michael Harris on trumpet.[5][7] This line-up remained until 1981, when Al McKay left,[5] he was replaced by the returning Bautista.[5] After releasing three more albums, Maurice put the band on hiatus in 1984
The band returned in 1987, with returning members Verdine and Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey and Andrew Woolfolk, and new members guitarists/vocalists Sheldon Reynolds and Dick Smith, keyboardist Vance Taylor, and drummer Sonny Emory. As well as a new horn section dubbed Earth, Wind & Fire Horns, consisting of Gary Bias on the saxophone, Raymond Lee Brown on the trumpet, and Reggie Young on flugelhorn and trombone.[5]
Smith left the band in 1991. Between 1992 and 1994, the band were joined by second keyboardist Fred Ravel,[8] Morris Pleasure replaced Vance Taylor in 1993, playing keyboards and bass between 1993 and 2001,[9] and David Romero played percussion between 1993 and 2002. B. David Whitworth also joined on percussion and vocalist in 1996. Robert Brookins joined on second keyboards in 1998.
Emory was replaced by Gorden Campbell in 1999, Morris Pleasure departed in 2001, and was replaced by Myron McKinley. Bobby Gonzales joined as second guitarist in 2001, John Paris replaced Campbell in 2001. Sheldon Reynolds, David Romero and Bobby Gonzales all departed in 2002, they were replaced by guitarist John Johnson and percussionist Daniel de los Reyes, Kimberly Brewer also joined as female vocalist. These three new members all departed in 2004, alongside keyboardist Robert Brookins. Krystal Bailey joined as female vocalist, though she was soon replaced Kim Johnson. Vadim Zilbershtein and Greg "G-Mo" Moore both joined as guitarists in 2004 and 2002 respectively. Zilbershtein departed in 2008, he was replaced Morris O'Connor. Bailey son, Philip Doron Bailey Jr. joined as a vocalist in 2009. Moore left in 2014, and the band were joined Serg Dimitrijevic in 2012.
Founder Maurice White died February 4, 2016, he was still a member of the band though he hadn't toured with the band regularly for a few years.[10]
Members
Current
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Verdine White |
|
| all releases |
![]() | Philip Bailey |
|
| all releases from Last Days and Time (1972) onwards |
![]() | Ralph Johnson |
| ||
![]() | B. David Whitworth | 1996–present |
| The Promise (2003) |
![]() | Myron McKinley | 2001–present |
|
|
![]() | John Paris |
|
| |
![]() | Morris O'Connor | 2008–present |
|
|
![]() | Philip Doron Bailey | 2009–present |
| |
![]() | Serg Dimitrijevic | 2012–present |
| Holiday (2014) |
Former
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Maurice White |
|
| all releases from Earth, Wind & Fire (1971) to The Classic Christmas Album (2015) |
Wade Flemons | 1970–1972 (died 1993) |
|
| |
Michael Beal | 1970–1972 |
| ||
Leslie Drayton | trumpet | |||
Yackov Ben Israel (aka Phillard Williams) |
| |||
Sherry Scott | vocals | |||
Alexander Thomas | trombone | |||
Chester Washington | tenor saxophone | |||
Don Whitehead |
| |||
Helena Dixon | 1972 | vocals | none | |
Roland Bautista |
|
|
| |
Jessica Cleaves | 1972–1973 (died 2014) | vocals |
| |
Larry Dunn | 1972–1984 |
|
| |
Ronnie Laws | 1972–1973 |
| Last Days and Time (1972) | |
Johnny Graham | 1973–1981 |
|
| |
![]() | Al McKay | 1973–1980 |
|
|
![]() | Andrew Woolfolk |
|
|
|
Fred White | 1974–1984 (died 2023) |
|
| |
Beloyd Taylor | 1981–1982 (died 2014) |
|
| |
![]() | Sonny Emory | 1987–1999 |
|
|
![]() | Sheldon Reynolds | 1987–2002 (died 2023) |
|
|
Dick Smith | 1987–1991 | Heritage (1990) | ||
David Lautrec | 1990 | keyboards | none | |
Mike McKnight | 1987–1999 |
| none | |
Vance Taylor | 1987–1993 |
| ||
![]() | Fred Ravel | 1993–1994 | ||
![]() | Morris Pleasure | 1993–2001 |
| In the Name of Love (1997) |
David Romero | 1993–2002 | percussion | ||
Robert Brookins | 1998–2004 (died 2009) |
| none | |
Gorden Campbell | 1999–2001 | drums | ||
Bobby Gonzales | 2001–2002 |
| ||
![]() | Daniel de los Reyes | 2002–2004 | percussion | The Promise (2003) |
John Johnson |
| none | ||
Kimberly Brewer | vocals | |||
Krystal Bailey | 2004 | |||
Kim Johnson | 2004–2009 | |||
Greg "G-Mo" Moore | 2002–2014 |
| ||
Vadim Zilbershtein | 2004–2008 |
|
Phenix Horns (1975–1983) / Earth, Wind & Fire Horns (1987–present)
Current
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Gary Bias | 1987–present |
|
|
![]() | Reggie Young | trombone |
| |
![]() | Bobby Burns. Jr | 2004–present | trumpet | none |
Former
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Rahmlee Michael Davis | 1975–1983 | trumpet |
|
![]() | Michael Harris |
| ||
![]() | Don Myrick | 1975–1983 (died 1993) | saxophone | |
![]() | Louis Satterfield | 1975–1983 (died 2004) | trombone | |
Elmer Brown | 1979 | trumpet | none | |
Raymond Lee Brown | 1987–2004 |
Timeline
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/hc7xjae3u9rvohltvk386m7kvadqzjh.png)
Line-ups
The following is a complete chronology of the various line-ups of Earth, Wind & Fire, from the group's inception in 1971 until the present day.[2]
Period | Members | Studio releases |
---|---|---|
1970–1972 |
|
|
1972–1973 |
|
|
1973 |
|
|
1973–1981 |
|
|
1981–1982 |
|
|
1982–1984 |
|
|
1984–1987 | Hiatus | |
1987–1991 |
|
|
1991–1992 |
| |
1992–1993 |
|
|
1993–1996 |
|
|
1996–1998 |
| |
1998–1999 |
| |
1999–2001 |
|
|
2001–2002 |
| |
2002 |
| |
2002–2004 |
|
|
2004 |
| |
2004–2008 |
|
|
2008–2012 |
| |
2012–2016 |
|
|
2016–present |
|
References
- ^ "Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire, Aug 18, 2015, PNC Bank Arts Center". August 18, 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ a b "MEMBERS". Earth Wind & Fire. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Hogan, Ed. "The Salty Peppers Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Washburn, Jim (December 21, 1990). "Sherry Scott Belts Out Thrilling Jazz in Her Rich Alto". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nathan, David (1992). The Eternal Dance. Columbia Records.
- ^ a b Huey, Steve. "Earth, Wind & Fire". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
- ^ Hagwood Stafford, Ron (June 14, 2010). "Earth, Wind & Fire in their element". Sun Sentinel.
- ^ "Freddie Ravel". www.smooth-jazz.de. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ Louie, Jones (August 4, 2009). "Interview with Mo Pleasure". blogtalkradio.com. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White -- Dead at 74". TMZ. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- v
- t
- e
Current |
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Former |
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- Earth, Wind & Fire
- The Need of Love
- Last Days and Time
- Head to the Sky
- Open Our Eyes
- That's the Way of the World
- Spirit
- All 'n All
- I Am
- Faces
- Raise!
- Powerlight
- Electric Universe
- Touch the World
- Heritage
- Millennium
- In the Name of Love
- The Promise
- Illumination
- Now, Then & Forever
- Holiday
- The Classic Christmas Album
- Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
- Gratitude
- Greatest Hits Live
- That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75
- Live in Rio
- Earth, Wind & Fire: In Concert
- The Eternal Vision
- Live in Japan
- Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Live
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Live by Request
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at Montreux 1997
- The Collection
- Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre
- Another Time
- The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1
- The Collection
- The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2
- The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire
- The Eternal Dance
- The Very Best
- Elements of Love: Ballads
- Boogie Wonderland: The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire
- Greatest Hits
- The Ultimate Collection
- The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire
- The Greatest Hits
- "I Think About Lovin' You"
- "Mom"
- "Evil"
- "Keep Your Head to the Sky"
- "Mighty Mighty"
- "Kalimba Story"
- "Devotion"
- "Shining Star"
- "That's the Way of the World"
- "Sing a Song"
- "Can't Hide Love"
- "Getaway"
- "Saturday Nite"
- "Serpentine Fire"
- "Fantasy"
- Jupiter"
- "Got to Get You into My Life"
- "September"
- "After the Love Has Gone"
- "In the Stone"
- "Star"
- "Let Me Talk"
- "You"
- "And Love Goes On"
- "Let's Groove"
- "Wanna Be with You"
- "I've Had Enough"
- "Fall in Love with Me"
- "Side by Side"
- "Magnetic"
- "Touch"
- "System of Survival"
- "Thinking of You"
- "Evil Roy"
- "Turn on (The Beat Box)"
- "Sunday Morning"
- "In the Name of Love"
- "When Love Goes Wrong"
- "September 99"
- "Hold Me"
- "Pure Gold"
- "Change Your Mind"
- "Guiding Lights"
- "My Promise"
- "Why"
- "Sun Goddess"
- "Boogie Wonderland"
- "Heritage"
- "For the Love of You"
- "Wanna Be The Man"
- "All in the Way"
- "The Way You Move"
- "Show Me the Way"
- "To You"
- "Holidays"
- Discography
- Awards and nominations
- Tribute albums
- Personnel
Category