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 | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 21 |
Live albums | 4 |
Compilation albums | 17 |
Singles | 62 |
Video albums | 19 |
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
editStudio albums
editYear | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
1976 | Spirit | 2 | 2 | — | 58 | — | 59 | 33 | — | — | — |
| |
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
editYear | 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 | — |
|
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
editYear | 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
editYear | 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
edit- "Dance, Dance, Dance" from the Rock & Rule soundtrack (1983)
- "Eyes of Hope" and "Insensitive" (both recorded 1987) from the album Constellations: The Universe of Earth, Wind & Fire (2012)[42]
- "One World" from the album Music Speaks Louder Than Words (1990)
- "Frontline of Seduction" from the "Blood Brothers" single (1993)[43]
- "Holiday" from The PJs soundtrack (1999)
- "Runaway" a collaboration with Wyclef Jean from his album The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000)
- "Whatever Happened" from the Undercover Brother soundtrack (2002)[44]
Music videos
edit- "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
editYear[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 |
|
Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire | ||
2002 | Earth, Wind & Fire: Live By Request | |
2004 | Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997 |
|
2005 | The Collection | |
Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre |
| |
2012 | Funky Wonderland |
Notes
edit- ^ Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
- ^ "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
edit- ^ a b c d e "Maurice White". songhall.org. Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- ^ Light, Alan (1992). "The Kalimba Story". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". rockhall.com. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, 2019.
- ^ "The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame". Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
- ^ Wang, Oliver (February 5, 2016). "Maurice White: five deep cuts from the Earth, Wind & Fire co-founder". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire Members". earthwindandfire.com.
- ^ a b O'Keefe, Meghan (April 22, 2014). "Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day!". VH1. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022.
- ^ Nathan, David (1992). The Eternal Dance. Columbia Records.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Legendary R&B Group Earth, Wind & Fire Inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk". ascap.com. ASCAP. July 7, 2003.
- ^ Totland, Colton (June 20, 2012). "Congressional medals awarded to community-driven youths". The Washington Times.
- ^ "Celebrate the 2019 Honorees". Kennedy Center. December 8, 2019.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Biography". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". billboard.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire". bac-lac.gc.ca. RPM.
- ^ a b c "NLD Charts > Earth, Wind & Fire". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ a b c d e f Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire". charts.nz. Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". offiziellecharts.de.
- ^ a b c d "Earth, Wind & Fire". sverigetopplistan.se. Sverigetopplistan.
- ^ a b c "UK Charts > Earth, Wind & Fire". Official Charts Company.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e "Earth, Wind & Fire". Music Canada. 26 April 2006.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". dutchcharts.nl. Dutch Charts.
- ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: The Collection". BPI.co.uk.
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". SNEP.
- ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: Let's Groove -The Best Of". BPI.co.uk.
- ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: The Greatest Hits". BPI.co.uk.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot 100". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot Dance Club Songs". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Week commencing 24 September 1990". Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: RPM (Top Singles)". Baclac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/28133437-Earth-Wind-Fire-Constellations-The-Universe-Of-Earth-Wind-Fire [bare URL]
- ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/7593003-Earth-Wind-Fire-Blood-Brothers-More [bare URL]
- ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/661044-Various-Undercover-Brother-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Discography". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire". allmovie.com.
External links
edit- Official website
- Earth, Wind & Fire discography at Discogs