DO YOU REMEMBER? TRENTON BAILEY by

Do You Remember? by Trenton Bailey

Earth, Wind, & Fire (EWF) is one of the most successful bands in the history of popular music. Since the band’s inception in 1970, they have sold more than ninety million records. This achievement makes EWF one of the bestselling bands of all time. They have also won numerous prestigious awards, including six Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, and three Lifetime Achievement honors. EWF is one of the first African-American popular music bands to have mass crossover appeal. In 1975, the band became the first African-American music act to reach number one on Billboard’s pop album and singles charts, simultaneously. This was accomplished when their signature hit song Shining Star and the album That’s the Way of the World both climbed to the top of the charts. In 2019, EWF became the first AfricanAmerican band or group to be honored by the Kennedy Center.

Earth, Wind & Fire came of age in the early 1970s, as black pride became a central element of African-American popular music. This was a time when many African Americans were no longer marching and protesting to gain equality as they had during the African-American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Instead, several AfricanAmerican artists used music to combat the harsh reality of American society. Earth, Wind & Fire became known for their unique sound and inspirational lyrics. The band experienced its classic period from 1973 to 1983. This is when they were most successful and popular. During this time, EWF had several hits on the music charts, sold millions of records, sold out large concert venues, and won several awards. Most of the songs the band released as singles during this period became hit records, including Shining Star, Serpentine Fire, September, Boogie Wonderland, After the Love Has Gone, and Let’s Groove.

In Do You Remember? Celebrating Fifty Years of Earth, Wind & Fire, Dr. Trenton Bailey traces the humble beginning of Maurice White, his development as a musician, and his formation of Earth, Wind & Fire, a band that became a global phenomenon in the 1970s. EWF stood apart from other funk and soul bands with their philosophical lyrics and extravagant visual art that added to their unique style and mysticism. The visual art is studied in this biography, including album covers, concerts, and music videos. The lyrics of hit songs are examined alongside an analysis of the band’s chart success. EWF has produced twenty-one studio albums and several compilation albums. Each album is analyzed for content and quality. Earth, Wind & Fire is known for using ancient Egyptian symbols. Phillip Bailey details those symbols and Maurice White’s fascination with Egyptology, thoroughly.

By the early 1980s, the music industry was changing, and Maurice White had grown weary, after working, constantly, for more than a decade. He decided to put Earth, Wind & Fire on hiatus for more than three years. The band made a comeback in 1987, but White’s health crisis soon forced EWF to tour without him. During the twenty-first century, EWF received numerous accolades and lifetime achievement and hall of fame awards. The band remains relevant, today, collaborating with younger artists and maintaining their classic sound. After