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

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]

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

Studio albums

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
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum [25]
  • BPI: Platinum [26]
  • MC: Platinum [27]
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

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

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

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

Music videos

  • "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

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

  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

  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 August 26, 2023. 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. ^ "Oct 2023 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  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.

External links