Earth, Wind & Fire became the first black performers to headline throughout the world without an opening act, to receive Madison Square Garden’s Gold Ticket Award for selling more than 100,000 tickets and to receive the Columbia Records Crystal Globe Award for selling more than five million albums in foreign markets. They have gained the BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award and ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award. EW&F was disbanded in 1983, but in 1987 CBS Records convinced Philip Bailey and Maurice White to a reunion the group. The group managed to continue into the 90’s with releases such as “Heritage”,”Millennium”,and “In the Name of Love ” in 1997. However, due to Parkinson’s Disease, Maurice retired from the road but still continued to produce and sing on the group’s recordings. In 2002’s That’s The Way Of The World: Alive In ‘75; Live In Rio which was recorded during their 1979 “I Am World Tour;| |In 2000, the original ’70s edition of Earth, Wind & Fire reunited for one night only in honor of their induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The documentary entitled ‘Earth, Wind & Fire: Shining Stars’, which contains rarely seen historic video footage along with in-depth interviews with the band members was released in 2001| | While not as prolific as in their ‘70’s heyday, Earth, Wind & Fire released “The Promise” in 2003 and the criticially acclaimed “Illumination”, which featured current contemporary r& b guests such as Will I Am, Rafael Saddiq, and Brian McKnight. A very successful tour in 2007 and DVD release, paired the group with former Columbia label mates, Chicago. While still touring, Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson and Maurice’s brother, Verdine White remain as the group’s only original members. |
|
 | ||||||||||||||||
