Earth, Wind & Fire discography

Earth, Wind & Fire (EW&F or EWF) is an American musical group. Their style and sound span over various music genres such as jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro-pop.[1][2] They are among the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.[3][4][5]

Earth, Wind & Fire discography
Earth, Wind & Fire performing at the opening ceremony of the 2008 US Open
Studio albums21
Live albums4
Compilation albums17
Singles62
Video albums19

The band was formed in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969, growing out of the Salty Peppers.[3][6] Prominent members have included Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Robert Brookins, Sonny Emory, Fred Ravel, Ronnie Laws, Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk.[7] The band is known for its kalimba sound, dynamic horn section, energetic and elaborate stage shows, and the contrast between Bailey's falsetto and Maurice's baritone.[8][9]

The band has won 6 Grammys out of 17 nominations[10] and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations.[1] They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame, and Hollywood's Rockwalk, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The band has received an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a Soul Train Legend Award,[1][11] a NARAS Signature Governor's Award,[1] a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award,[1][10] the 2012 Congressional Horizon Award,[12] and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019.[13] Rolling Stone has called them "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and declared that the band "changed the sound of black pop".[14] VH1 has described EWF as "one of the greatest bands".[8]

Albums

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Studio albums

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Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US Pop
[15]
US
R&B

[16]
AUS
[17]
CAN
[18]
NLD
[19]
JPN
[20]
NZ
[21]
GER
[22]
SWE
[23]
UK
[24]
1971 Earth, Wind & Fire 172 24 Warner Bros.
The Need of Love 89 35
1972 Last Days and Time 87 15 Columbia
1973 Head to the Sky 27 2 56
1974 Open Our Eyes 15 1 19
1975 That's the Way of the World 1 1 84 15
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum[25]
1976 Spirit 2 2 58 59 33
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[25]
1977 All 'n All 3 1 21 3 4 14 12 11 13
1979 I Am 3 1 12 4 4 10 3 20 3 5
1980 Faces 10 2 55 8 18 40 46 23 10
1981 Raise! 5 1 37 25 3 7 19 30 9 14
1983 Powerlight 12 4 82 24 6 6 13 2 22
Electric Universe 40 8 22 20 37 17
1987 Touch the World 33 3 93 17 21 46 20
1990 Heritage 70 19 52 31 39
1993 Millennium 39 8 29 18 50 Reprise
1997 In the Name of Love 50 78 24 Pyramid
2003 The Promise 89 19 115 Kalimba
2005 Illumination 32 8 61 Sanctuary
2013 Now, Then & Forever 11 6 35 55 25 Legacy
2014 Holiday 19
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

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Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US
[15]
US
R&B

[16]
CAN
[18]
NLD
[19]
JPN
[20]
SWE
[23]
1975 Gratitude 1 1 37 58
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum[25]
Columbia
1996 Greatest Hits Live 75 78 43 36 Rhino
2002 That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75 Legacy
Live in Rio Kalimba
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

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Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US
[15]
US
R&B

[16]
AUS
[17]
CAN
[18]
NLD
[29]
JPN
[20]
NZ
[21]
GER
[22]
SWE
[23]
UK
[24]
1974 Another Time 97 29 77 Warner Bros.
1978 The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 6 3 7 15 19 12 3 28 13 6 ARC/Columbia
1986 The Collection 5 K-tel
The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire 21 Columbia
1988 The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2 190 74
1991 The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire 28 18
1992 The Eternal Dance
The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire 40 Telstar
1994 The Very Best Versailles
Dance Tracks 62 Sony Music
Earth, Wind & Fire Columbia
1996 Elements of Love: Ballads Columbia
Boogie Wonderland: The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire 29 Telstar
Let's Groove: The Best Of Columbia
1998 Greatest Hits 40 48 Columbia/Legacy
1999 The Ultimate Collection 34 Concept
The Dutch Collection 27 Sony Music
2002 The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire 91 60 Sony Music/Legacy
2004 Love Songs
2008 Playlist: The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire 89
2010 The Greatest Hits 9
2013 S.O.U.L: Earth, Wind & Fire 69
2014 Ultimate Collection 68
2015 The Classic Christmas Album 34
2020 Gold 48
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US Hot 100
[34]
US
R&B

[35]
US
AC

[36]
US
Dan

[37]
AUS
[17][38]
CAN
[39]
NLD
[19]
NZ
[21]
SWE
[23]
UK
[24]
1971 "Fan the Fire" Earth, Wind and Fire
"Love Is Life" 93 43 79
1972 "I Think About Lovin' You" 44 The Need of Love
1973 "Mom" 39 Last Days and Time
"Evil" 50 25 19 Head to the Sky
"Keep Your Head to the Sky" 52 23 45
1974 "Mighty Mighty" 29 4 38 Open Our Eyes
"Kalimba Story" 55 6 63
"Devotion" 33 23 55
"Hot Dawgit" (with Ramsey Lewis) 50 61 Sun Goddess
1975 "Shining Star" 1 1 95 21 14 That's the Way of the World
"Sun Goddess" (with Ramsey Lewis) 44 20 Sun Goddess
"That's the Way of the World" 12 5 20 That's the Way of the World
"Sing a Song" 5 1 5 13 19 Gratitude
1976 "Can't Hide Love" 39 11 97
"Getaway" 12 1 12 29 Spirit
"Saturday Nite" 21 4 12 34 17
1977 "On Your Face" 26
"Serpentine Fire" 13 1 13 32 57[A] All 'n All
1978 "Fantasy" 32 12 25 37 7 13 8 14
"Jupiter" 41
"Magic Mind" 54
"Got to Get You into My Life" 9 1 30 12 33 20 33 The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1
"September" 8 1 41 12 10 19 12 13 3
1979 "Boogie Wonderland" (with The Emotions) 6 2 14 6 11 4 7 7 4 I Am
"After the Love Has Gone" 2 2 3 11 11 28 8 4
"In the Stone" 58 23 78 76 39 53 53
"Star" 64 47 15 25 16
"Can't Let Go" 31 46
1980 "Let Me Talk" 44 8 85 86 50 29 Faces
"You" 48 10 30
"Back on the Road" 63
1981 "And Love Goes On" 59 15 57 25
"Let's Groove" 3 1 3 15 7 5 2 3 Raise!
1982 "Wanna Be with You" 51 15
"I've Had Enough" 3 29
1983 "Fall in Love with Me" 17 4 31 12 21 49 11 47 Powerlight
"Side by Side" 76 15
"Spread Your Love" 57 48
"Magnetic" 57 10 36 18 92 Electric Universe
1984 "Touch" 23 36
"Moonwalk" 67
1986 "Boogie Wonderland (Extended Dance Mix) 97 The Collection
1987 "System of Survival" 60 1 1 14 9 54 Touch the World
1988 "Thinking of You" 67 3 1 45 94
"Evil Roy" 22 38
"You and I" 29
"Turn On (The Beat Box)" 26 30 The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2
1990 "Heritage" (featuring The Boys) 5 Heritage
"For the Love of You" (featuring MC Hammer) 19
"Wanna Be the Man" (featuring MC Hammer) 46 146
1993 "Sunday Morning" 53 20 35 33 26 Millennium
"Spend the Night" 42
1994 "Two Hearts" 88
"Blood Brothers" (Japan only)
1997 "Revolution" 89 In the Name of Love
"When Love Goes Wrong"
1999 "September '99" 94 25 48 25 The Ultimate Collection
"Boogie Wonderland 99" 57
2002 "Remix Sampler" 81 The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire
2003 "All in the Way" (featuring The Emotions) 77 25 The Promise
"Hold Me"
2005 "The Way You Move" (featuring Kenny G) 12 Illumination
"Pure Gold" 76 23
"Show Me the Way" (featuring Raphael Saadiq)
2006 "To You" (featuring Brian McKnight) 71
2006 "Change Your Mind" In the Name of Love
2012 "Guiding Lights" Now, Then & Forever
2013 "My Promise" 30
2013 "Something About You (Love the World)"
(LL Cool J featuring Charlie Wilson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Melody Thornton)
Authentic
2014 "Never" The Promise
2015 "Why?"
2021 "You Want My Love" (featuring Lucky Daye) [B] Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances

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Music videos

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  • "Serpentine Fire" (1977)
  • "September" (1978)
  • "Boogie Wonderland" (1979)
  • "After the Love Has Gone" (1979)
  • "Let Me Talk" (1980)
  • "Let's Groove" (1981)
  • "Fall in Love with Me" (1983)
  • "Magnetic" (1983)
  • "System of Survival" (1987)
  • "Evil Roy" (1987)
  • "Thinking of You" (1987)
  • "Heritage" (1990)
  • "Wanna Be the Man" (1990)
  • "Sunday Morning" (1993)
  • "Spend the Night" (1993)
  • "You Want My Love" (2021)

Videography

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Year[45]

[46]

Title[45][46] Certifications[25][27]
1975 That's the Way of the World (film)
1982 Earth, Wind & Fire: In Concert
1992 The Eternal Vision
1995 Millennium Concert
1998 Live In Japan
2001 Earth, Wind & Fire: Live
  • RIAA: Gold
Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire
2002 Earth, Wind & Fire: Live By Request
2004 Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997
  • RIAA: Gold
2005 The Collection
Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre
  • RIAA: Platinum
  • MC: Platinum
2012 Funky Wonderland

Notes

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  1. ^ Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
  2. ^ "You Want My Love" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 37 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[41]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Maurice White". songhall.org. Songwriters Hall of Fame.
  2. ^ Light, Alan (1992). "The Kalimba Story". Rolling Stone.
  3. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". rockhall.com. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
  4. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, 2019.
  5. ^ "The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame". Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
  6. ^ Wang, Oliver (February 5, 2016). "Maurice White: five deep cuts from the Earth, Wind & Fire co-founder". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  7. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire Members". earthwindandfire.com.
  8. ^ a b O'Keefe, Meghan (April 22, 2014). "Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day!". VH1. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Nathan, David (1992). The Eternal Dance. Columbia Records. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  10. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. June 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "Legendary R&B Group Earth, Wind & Fire Inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk". ascap.com. ASCAP. July 7, 2003.
  12. ^ Totland, Colton (June 20, 2012). "Congressional medals awarded to community-driven youths". The Washington Times.
  13. ^ "Celebrate the 2019 Honorees". Kennedy Center. December 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Biography". Rolling Stone.
  15. ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  16. ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". billboard.com.
  17. ^ a b c David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  18. ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire". bac-lac.gc.ca. RPM.
  19. ^ a b c "NLD Charts > Earth, Wind & Fire". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  21. ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire". charts.nz. Recorded Music NZ.
  22. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". offiziellecharts.de.
  23. ^ a b c d "Earth, Wind & Fire". sverigetopplistan.se. Sverigetopplistan.
  24. ^ a b c "UK Charts > Earth, Wind & Fire". Official Charts Company.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Earth, Wind & Fire". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "British certifications – Earth Wind and Fire". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 25, 2024. Type Earth Wind and Fire in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Earth, Wind & Fire". Music Canada. 26 April 2006.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Dutch album certifications – Earth Wind & Fire" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 10 May 2019. Enter Earth Wind & Fire in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  29. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". dutchcharts.nl. Dutch Charts.
  30. ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: The Collection". BPI.co.uk.
  31. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". SNEP.
  32. ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: Let's Groove -The Best Of". BPI.co.uk.
  33. ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: The Greatest Hits". BPI.co.uk.
  34. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot 100". Billboard.com.
  35. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com.
  36. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard.com.
  37. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot Dance Club Songs". Billboard.com.
  38. ^ "Week commencing 24 September 1990". Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  39. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: RPM (Top Singles)". Baclac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013.
  40. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  41. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  42. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/28133437-Earth-Wind-Fire-Constellations-The-Universe-Of-Earth-Wind-Fire [bare URL]
  43. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/7593003-Earth-Wind-Fire-Blood-Brothers-More [bare URL]
  44. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/661044-Various-Undercover-Brother-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack [bare URL]
  45. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Discography". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
  46. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". allmovie.com.
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