A Hill I'm Prepared to Die on: Earth, Wind & Fire is the Greatest Band of all Time

Here's why they are a part of our cultural heritage and must never be forgotten.

Band members came and went, but Maurice White and his brother Verdine were the constants of Earth, Wind & Fire

American culture is Black culture.

It’s interesting how switching the words “American” and “Black” in that sentence completely changes the meaning. To say that “Black culture is American culture” is a fine sentiment, but I mean it quite a bit differently:

American culture IS Black culture.

And we Americans export our culture all over the globe. Turn on any radio in Nepal, and there will be at least one station playing American music that owes its everything to Black artists. The blues—Black artists. Jazz—Black artists. Rock ‘n roll—Black artists. Rap—Black artists. White artists may have expanded certain musical genres, but those genres have their taproot in Black musical tradition.

To me and quite a few other music aficionados, the quintessence of that incredibly rich Black tradition is the soul/funk/R&B/jazz band Earth, Wind & Fire, and while it annoys me when people try to push “their” music on me (my son, for instance, is a huge fan of country music artist/criminal/sex offender Johnny Paycheck, an enthusiasm I just can’t share), Earth, Wind & Fire isn’t just a musical preference; it is part of our unparalleled-in-human-history music culture heritage, and as such, deserves pride of place in our collective hearts and playlists.

Case in point, 1976 hit, “Sing a Song.”

And 1979’s “After the Love Has Gone” with its haunting harmonics, sensual grooves, and intense musicality.

Or my personal favorite, “Can’t Hide Love,” released in 1973, which is a master class in soul, vocals, and an insinuating beat that never ever ends.

Need I remind you that all of these recordings were made years before the advent of Autotune (a vocal manipulation device—the scourge of my personal universe—that makes it sound as though a singer is singing in pitch)? What you hear is what was actually laid down in the studio: a multi-instrumentalist band of 10-16 musicians at the absolute top of their game.

Take 1974’s “Mighty Mighty”, for instance. I defy you to listen to this and sit still at the same time. It can’t be done.

So, what makes Earth, Wind & Fire great?

While the band was a collaborative effort, founding member/band leader Maurice White was the creative visionary that not only changed the face of music but influenced countless musicians thereafter: Michael Jackson, Prince, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Wynonna Judd, Patti LaBelle, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Amy Winehouse, the Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, and many others.

Maurice White, one of the greatest musicians in American history,

No less an august personage than Miles Davis declared Earth, Wind & Fire his all-time favorite band, reminding us that they [the band] “have everything—horns, electric guitars, singers, and more.” This was a sentiment shared by Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Alicia Keys, who also proclaimed them, “Best band ever.”

One of the most impressive things about Maurice White was the length of his musical apprenticeship. Before becoming a bandleader, he played with countless musicians and absorbed so many different influences, all of which lead to the quasi-big-band sound that was to become his signature. He was a man driven by music, a force for hope and positivity in an increasingly contentious world. “From my youngest days, I always felt certain affinities with the idea of being a preacher," Maurice once said. “Being joyful and positive was the whole objective of our group. Our goal was to reach all the people and to keep a universal atmosphere. All of our songs had that positive energy. To create uplifting music was the objective.”

Want to feel uplifted? Here’s a live version of “Shining Star.” It’s practically an anthem to joy and exuberance.

Born in Memphis on 19 December, 1941, Maurice grew up in the Foote Homes projects with his grandmother. He was the grandson of a New Orleans honky-tonk pianist, ergo the musical talent, and made frequent trips to Chicago to visit his mother, Edna, and stepfather Verdine Adams, who was a doctor and part-time saxophonist.

He sang gospel from a young age, but didn’t learn to read music until he was 18. After graduating from the Chicago Conservatory of Music as a percussionist, he worked as a session drummer at Chess Records, playing for luminaries such as Etta James, Fontella Bass, and Muddy Waters. From there, he joined the popular jazz group The Ramsey Lewis Trio and learned how to play the Kalimba, an African thumb piano that he later popularized with Earth, Wind & Fire.

There were other bands (the Salty Peppers, the Pharaohs), but it wasn’t until 1970, after Maurice had moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, that Earth, Wind & Fire was officially launched. By then, he’d invited his younger brother, legendary bass player Verdine White, to join him, soul singer/keyboardist/song writer Donny Hathaway, Michael Beal on guitar, Chester Washington on reeds, Leslie Drayton on trumpet, Alex Thomas on trombone, Philip Bailey as co-singer (his falsetto voice styling were an essential part of their sound), and Ralph Johnson on drums. These ten musicians were the progenitors of soul-pop juggernaut, Earth, Wind & Fire.

Here’s “Fantasy”, 1978, produced by Columbia Records.

And the rhythm and groove hypnosis of “That’s the Way of the World,” 1975.

“We come together on this special day
Sing our message loud and clear
Looking back, we've touched on sorrowful days
Future pass, they disappear
You will find peace of mind
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Don't hesitate 'cause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart, 'cause you're never, never old

“That's the way of the world
Plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
Way of the world makes his heart so cold

“Hearts of fire create love desire take you
High and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire love desire
High and higher, yeah yeah yeah
Hearts of fire love desire
Ahh higher …”

The band won seven Grammys and four American Music Awards. In 2000, they were inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Music Hall of Fame. They’ve sold over 90 million albums worldwide, making them the seventh best selling American band of all time.

But there were tragedies along the way. Saxophonist Don Myrick was killed by a Los Angeles police officer who mistook Myrick’s lighter for a weapon and shot him in the chest. He died at the age of 53, yet another casualty of misdirected police violence against communities of color.

Maurice White passed away in his sleep on February 4, 2016, from the effects of Parkinson’s disease. He was seventy-four. But he was surely proud to know that his bandmate Donny’s daughter, Lilah Hathaway, had already become a byword in R&B excellence. Her hit single, “Something,” is well worth listening to, especially since Hathaway possesses a rare type of multi-phonic vocal range that allows her to "split" her voice and sing several notes at the same time—in essence, a sung chord. I stand in awe of this woman who simply oozes talent.

“It's important to put the emphasis on the positive aspect," Maurice White once told The Chicago Tribune. “I have learned that music helps a lot of people survive, and they want songs that can give them something - I guess you could call it hope.”

Rest in power, Maurice.

We will always love you.

What are your thoughts on Earth, Wind & Power? I’d love to hear them. Feel free to leave your comments below.