• Music

Earth, Wind and Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is a music group who formed in Chicago in 1971.  They are known for their funky soul music that changed how people choose to classify crossover music genres.  Widely known and appreciated, they have been nominated for Grammy awards over twenty times, and have won nearly half of them.  Most notably winning Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1975, 1978, and 1979.  Being an all African American band, they were also very influential during this time since America was just coming out of the racial tension and civil rights issues of the 1960’s.  They were the first African American act to sell out Madison Square Garden and have paved the way for many of the black musicians who followed.  Some notable musicians who have accredited Earth, Wind & Fire to some degree of their success are Beyonce, Erykah Badu, and Prince.

Written by: Kaleigh Coleman

Image Source (Top): - Rocky Mountain News via Denver Public Library -

1960s

+
submit

Three members of Earth, Wind and Fire attend East High School

Three of Earth, Wind and Fire's members all attended East High School during the same time period in the late 1960's and early 70's.  Larry Dunn (keyboardist), Andrew Woolfolk (flautist and percussionist), and Phillip Bailey (singer) all met while attending East High School.  Bailey, the eldest, graduated in 1969.  All of the East High alumni were brought into the bad by Maurice White after Earth, Wind & Fire had already achieved a moderate amount of success.  Though the band expanded into quite a troop at it's peak (around 40 or so members) these three remained beloved staples to the band and were all inducted into many different genre's Halls of Fame.   Written by: Kaleigh Coleman

Related Locations