Members
1970-1971:
Maurice White (Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN)
Don Whitehead
Wade Flemons (Born 25 September 1940, Coffeyville, KS - Died 13 October 1993, Battle Creek, MI (Cancer))
Verdine White (Born July 25 1951, in Chicago, IL)
Sherry Scott
Michael Beal
Chet Washington
Alex Thomas
Yackov Ben Israel

1972:
Maurice White (Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN)
Verdine White (Born July 25 1951, in Chicago, IL)
Philip Bailey (Born May 8, 1951, in Denver, CO)
Jessica Cleaves (Born December 10, 1948, Los Angeles, CA)
Ronnie Laws (Born October 3, 1950 in Houston, Texas)
Roland Bautista
Larry Dunn (Born June 16, 1953 in Colorado)
Ralph Johnson (Born July 4, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA)

1973:
Maurice White (Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN)
Verdine White (Born July 25 1951, in Chicago, IL)
Philip Bailey (Born May 8, 1951, in Denver, CO)
Jessica Cleaves (Born December 10, 1948, Los Angeles, CA)
Andrew Woolfolk
Al McKay
Larry Dunn (Born June 16, 1953 in Colorado)
Johnny Graham
Ralph Johnson (Born July 4, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA)

1974-1986:
Maurice White (Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN)
Verdine White (Born July 25 1951, in Chicago, IL)
Philip Bailey (Born May 8, 1951, in Denver, CO)
Fred White
Andrew Woolfolk
Al McKay (Departed: 1980)
Larry Dunn (Born June 16, 1953 in Colorado)
Johnny Graham
Ralph Johnson (Born July 4, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA)
Don Myrick (Joined: 1975) (Died 1993 (Murdered))

1987-1993:
Maurice White (Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN)
Verdine White (Born July 25 1951, in Chicago, IL)
Philip Bailey (Born May 8, 1951, in Denver, CO)
Fred White
Andrew Woolfolk
Ralph Johnson (Born July 4, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA)
Gary Bias
Sheldon Reynolds

1997-Current:
Maurice White (Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN)
Verdine White (Born July 25 1951, in Chicago, IL)
Philip Bailey (Born May 8, 1951, in Denver, CO)
Ralph Johnson (Born July 4, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA)
Fred White
Gary Bias
John Paris (Joined in 2002) (born 1968)
B. David Whitworth (Joined in 1996)
Vadim Zilberstein
Kim Johnson (also of JS) (a.k.a. Kimmi J)

Albums
Earth, Wind & Fire - The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1
Earth, Wind & Fire - In The Name Of Love
Earth, Wind & Fire - The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire
Philip Bailey - Chinese Wall

Also Featured On...
Get On The Bus
Wyclef Jean - The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II A Book
Millennium Funk Party
Ol' Dirty Bastard - In Loving Memory Of Russell Jones
The PJs
Pure Funk
Soul Food
Sunz Of Man - The Last Shall Be First

Bio From All Music Guide
Earth, Wind & Fire were one of the most musically accomplished, critically acclaimed, and commercially popular funk bands of the '70s. Conceived by drummer, bandleader, songwriter, kalimba player, and occasional vocalist Maurice White, EWF's all-encompassing musical vision used funk as its foundation, but also incorporated jazz, smooth soul, gospel, pop, rock & roll, psychedelia, blues, folk, African music, and, later on, disco. Lead singer Philip Bailey gave EWF an extra dimension with his talent for crooning sentimental ballads in addition to funk workouts; behind him, the band could harmonize like a smooth Motown group, work a simmering groove like the J.B.'s, or improvise like a jazz fusion outfit. Plus, their stage shows were often just as elaborate and dynamic as George Clinton's P-Funk empire. More than just versatility for its own sake, EWF's eclecticism was part of a broader concept informed by a cosmic, mystical spirituality and an uplifting positivity the likes of which hadn't been seen since the early days of Sly & the Family Stone. Tying it all together was the accomplished songwriting of Maurice White, whose intricate, unpredictable arrangements and firm grasp of hooks and structure made EWF one of the tightest bands in funk when they wanted to be. Not everything they tried worked, but at their best, Earth, Wind & Fire seemingly took all that came before them and wrapped it up into one dizzying, spectacular package.

White founded Earth, Wind & Fire in Chicago in 1969. He had previously honed his chops as a session drummer for Chess Records, where he played on songs by the likes of Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, and Etta James, among others. In 1967, he'd replaced Red Holt in the popular jazz group the Ramsey Lewis Trio, where he was introduced to the kalimba, an African thumb piano he would use extensively in future projects. In 1969, he left Lewis' group to form a songwriting partnership with keyboardist Don Whitehead and singer Wade Flemons. This quickly evolved into a band dubbed the Salty Peppers, which signed with Capitol and scored a regional hit with "La La Time." When a follow-up flopped, White decided to move to Los Angeles, and took most of the band with him; he also renamed them Earth, Wind & Fire, after the three elements in his astrological charts. By the time White convinced his brother, bassist Verdine White, to join him on the West Coast in 1970, the lineup also consisted of Whitehead, Flemons, female singer Sherry Scott, guitarist Michael Beal, tenor saxophonist Chet Washington, trombonist Alex Thomas, and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel. This aggregate signed a new deal with Warner Bros. and issued its self-titled debut album in late 1970. Many critics found it intriguing and ambitious, much like the 1971 follow-up, The Need of Love, but neither attracted much commercial attention, despite a growing following on college campuses and a high-profile gig performing the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles' groundbreaking black independent film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.

Dissatisfied with the results, White dismantled the first version of EWF in 1972, retaining only brother Verdine. He built a new lineup with female vocalist Jessica Cleaves, flute/sax player Ronnie Laws, guitarist Roland Bautista, keyboardist Larry Dunn, and percussionist Ralph Johnson; the most important new addition, however, was singer Philip Bailey, recruited from a Denver R&B band called Friends & Love. After seeing the group open for John Sebastian in New York, Clive Davis signed them to CBS, where they debuted in 1972 with Last Days and Time. Further personnel changes ensued; Laws and Bautista were all gone by year's end, replaced by reedman Andrew Woolfolk and guitarists Al McKay and Johnny Graham. It was then that EWF truly began to hit their stride. 1973's Head to the Sky (Cleaves' last album with the group) significantly broadened their cult following, and the 1974 follow-up, Open Our Eyes, was their first genuine hit. It marked their first collaboration with producer, arranger, and sometime songwriting collaborator Charles Stepney, who helped streamline their sound for wider acceptance; it also featured another White brother, Fred, brought in as a second drummer. The single "Mighty Mighty" became EWF's first Top Ten hit on the R&B charts, although pop radio shied away from its black-pride subtext, and the minor hit "Kalimba Story" brought Maurice White's infatuation with African sounds to the airwaves. Open Our Eyes went gold, setting the stage for the band's blockbuster breakthrough.

In 1975, EWF completed work on another movie soundtrack, this time to a music-biz drama called That's the Way of the World. Not optimistic about the film's commercial prospects, the group rushed out their soundtrack album of the same name (unlike Sweet Sweetback, they composed all the music themselves) in advance. The film flopped, but the album took off; its lead single, the love-and-encouragement anthem "Shining Star," shot to the top of both the R&B and pop charts, making Earth, Wind & Fire mainstream stars; it later won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group. The album also hit number one on both the pop and R&B charts, and went double platinum; its title track went Top Five on the R&B side, and it also contained Bailey's signature ballad in the album cut "Reasons." White used the new income to develop EWF's live show into a lavish, effects-filled extravaganza, which eventually grew to include stunts designed by magician Doug Henning. The band was also augmented by a regular horn section, the Phoenix Horns, headed by saxophonist Don Myrick. Their emerging concert experience was chronicled later that year on the double-LP set Gratitude, which became their second straight number one album and featured one side of new studio tracks. Of those, "Sing a Song" reached the pop Top Ten and the R&B Top Five, and the ballad "Can't Hide Love" and the title track were also successful.

Sadly, during the 1976 sessions for EWF's next studio album, Spirit, Charles Stepney died suddenly of a heart attack. Maurice White took over the arranging chores, but the Stepney-produced "Getaway" managed to top the R&B charts posthumously. Spirit naturally performed well on the charts, topping out at number two. In the meantime, White was taking a hand in producing other acts; in addition to working with his old boss Ramsey Lewis, he helped kick start the careers of the Emotions and Deniece Williams. 1977's All n' All was another strong effort that charted at number three and spawned the R&B smashes "Fantasy" and the chart-topping "Serpentine Fire"; meanwhile, the Emotions topped the pop charts with the White-helmed smash "Best of My Love." The following year, White founded his own label, ARC, and EWF appeared in the mostly disastrous film version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, turning in a fine cover of the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life" that became their first Top Ten pop hit since "Sing a Song." Released before year's end, The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1 produced another Top Ten hit (and R&B number one) in the newly recorded "September."

1979's I Am contained EWF's most explicit nod to disco, a smash collaboration with the Emotions called "Boogie Wonderland" that climbed into the Top Ten. The ballad "After the Love Has Gone" did even better, falling one spot short of the top. Although I Am became EWF's sixth straight multi-platinum album, there were signs that the group's explosion of creativity over the past few years was beginning to wane. 1980's Faces broke that string, after which guitarist McKay departed. While 1981's Raise brought them a Top Five hit and R&B chart-topper in "Let's Groove," an overall decline in consistency was becoming apparent. By the time EWF issued its next album, 1983's Powerlight, ARC had folded, and the Phoenix Horns had been cut loose to save money. After the lackluster Electric Universe appeared at the end of the year, White disbanded the group to simply take a break. In the meantime, Verdine White became a producer and video director, while Philip Bailey embarked on a solo career and scored a pop smash with the Phil Collins duet "Easy Lover." Collins also made frequent use of the Phoenix Horns on his '80s records, both solo and with Genesis.

Bailey reunited with the White brothers, plus Andrew Woolfolk, Ralph Johnson, and new guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, in 1987 for the album Touch the World. It was surprisingly successful, producing two R&B smashes in "Thinking of You" and the number one "System of Survival." 1990's Heritage was a forced attempt to contemporize the group's sound, with guest appearances from Sly Stone and MC Hammer; its failure led to the end of the group's relationship with Columbia. They returned on Reprise with the more traditional-sounding Millennium in 1993, but were dropped when the record failed to recapture their commercial standing despite a Grammy nomination for "Sunday Morning"; tragedy struck that year when onetime horn leader Don Myrick was murdered in Los Angeles. Bailey and the White brothers returned once again in 1997 on the small Pyramid label with In the Name of Love. After 2003's The Promise, the group realigned itself with several top-shelf adult contemporary artists and released 2005's Illumination, which featured a much-publicized collaboration with smooth jazz juggernaut Kenny G. - Steve Huey

Maurice White's Bio From All Music Guide
Singer/drummer/songwriter/producer Maurice White founded the '70s supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. White, a former session drummer for legendary Chicago-based labels OKeh Records and Chess Records (Etta James, Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Ramsey Lewis, Sonny Stitt's 1966 LP Soul in the Night, the Radiants, among others), aspired to form a band like no other pop music had ever known. It certainly was successful, as EWF combined high-caliber musicianship, a wide-ranging musical genre eclecticism, and '70s multicultural spiritualism that included Biblical references. The Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire single "Sun Goddess" was used as the basis for "Visions," a track on the debut album by former Vertical Hold lead singer Angie Stone, Black Diamond, issued by Arista/BMG in fall 1999.

The Chicago-born band had 46 charting R&B singles, 33 charting pop singles including eight gold singles, won six Grammys, four American Music Awards, and earned more than 50 gold and platinum albums. Charles Stepney, a former Chess arranger/producer/session musician/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter was White's main collaborator on his EWF projects and sides created through his Kalimba Productions and released on ARC, White's Columbia-distributed label. Though EWF is White's best-known band, earlier he'd formed the Salty Peppers with his brother, EWF bassist Verdine White, who recorded "Uh Hun Yeah" b/w "Your Love Is Life" for Capitol Records.

Born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN, White got the concept of the band from a drum and bugle corps band from his hometown. He formed the band after having touring stints with Santana, Weather Report, and Uriah Heat. One night after an EWF concert in Denver, CO, White briefly met singer Philip Bailey. It was an encounter that was to prove vital to Bailey's future and to the history of American pop music.

Bailey left college a year later and decided to pursue a musical career in Los Angeles. Once he arrived on the West Coast, he hooked up again with Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice White had arrived in L.A. only the year before with visions of creating a truly universal music group, one that was spiritually charged and ambitious in scope, defying boundaries of color, culture, and categorization. Those ideas appealed to Bailey as well and he joined the group in 1972. Bailey's shimmering falsetto blended perfectly with White's charismatic tenor.

First recording for Warner Bros. (the ballad "I Think About Lovin' You" featured vocals by Jessica Cleaves and hit number 44 R&B in early 1972), then Columbia Records (debuting with the 1972 LP Last Days and Time), the group slowly began to build a reputation for innovative recordings and exciting, live shows, complete with feats of magic (floating pianos, disappearing acts) engineered by Doug Henning. Their first gold LP, Head to the Sky, peaked at number 27 pop in summer 1973, yielding a smooth tangy cover of "Evil" and the title track single. The first platinum EWF LP, Open Our Eyes, whose title track was a remake of the classic originally recorded by Savoy Records group the Gospel Clefs, included "Mighty Mighty" (number four R&B) and "Kalimba Story" (number six R&B).

White once again shared a label roster with Ramsey Lewis, whose Columbia debut, Sungoddess, was issued in December 1974. The radio-aired title track was released as a single under the name Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire went to number 20 R&B in early 1975. A smoking cover of Stevie Wonder's 1973 number one R&B hit "Living for the City" got massive airplay. The Sungoddess album went gold, hitting number 12 pop in early 1975. White had also played on Lewis' other high-charting LP, Wade in the Water; the title track single peaked at number three R&B in summer 1966.

The inspiration for one of EWF's most beloved singles, "Shining Star," was gleamed from thoughts White had during a walk under the star-filled skies that surrounded the mountains around Caribou Ranch, CO, a popular recording site and retreat during the '70s. The track was originally included in the That's the Way of the World movie that starred Harvey Keitel and was produced by Sig Shore (Superfly). The film is said to be the most accurate music business-themed movie ever made. "Shining Star" glittered at number one R&B for two weeks and hit number one pop in early 1975. It was included on their 1975 double-platinum LP That's the Way of the World that held the number one pop spot for three weeks in spring 1975. The title track single made it to number five R&B in summer 1975. It also yielded the classic ballad "Reasons," an extremely popular radio-aired LP track. "Shining Star" was immortalized in a hilarious segment of TV's Seinfeld when Julia-Louis Dreyfus unleashed a dance that became known as "The Elaine."

The two-record half-live/half-studio two-million-selling set Gratitude held the number one pop LP spot for three weeks in late 1975. On the album was "Sing a Song" (gold, number one R&B for two weeks, number five pop), the Skip Scarborough ballad "Can't Hide Love" (number 11 R&B), and the popular radio-aired LP tracks "Celebrate," "Gratitude," and the live version of "Reasons."

In 1976, White decided he want to record a spiritual album. The double-platinum LP Spirit parked at number two pop for two weeks in fall 1976 and boasted the gold, number one R&B single "Getaway" and "Saturday Nite." Spirit is remembered as one of EWF's best albums and sadly for also being the last project of Charles Stepney who died May 17, 1976, in Chicago,IL, at the age of 43.

The All 'N All LP went triple platinum, peaked at number three pop in late 1977, won three Grammys, was co-produced by Joe Wissert, and had arrangements by Chicago soul mainstay Tom Tom Washington and Eumir Deodato. The singles were "Serpentine Fire" (number one R&B for seven weeks) and "Fantasy."

The platinum greatest-hits set The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1 included a cover of the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life" went to number one R&B and number nine pop in summer 1978 (the flip side, the gentle acoustic guitar ballad "I'll Write a Song for You" with lead vocals by Bailey, received massive R&B radio play). The group performed the song in the 1978 Bee Gees/Peter Frampton movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Another single, "September," made it to number one R&B, number eight pop in early 1978. On the flip side was the enchanting popular radio-aired LP track "Love's Holiday" from All 'N All.

Around this time, Philip Bailey used members of Earth, Wind & Fire on a album that he produced on the singing group Free Life signed to Columbia's Epic imprint. Their single, the Bailey-written ballad "Wish You Were Here," charted number 91 R&B in early 1979. That and the other singles, "Stomp and Shout" and a non-LP single "Dance Fantasy" b/w "There's Something Better," as well as the album Free Life, had EWF influences. "Wish You Were Here" became a post-release collectible among soft soul music lovers and was included on various compilations. The two-million-selling I Am hit number three pop in summer 1979 on the strength of the million-selling single "Boogie Wonderland" with the Emotions (number two R&B for four weeks, number six pop) and the phenomenal gold ballad "After the Love Is Gone," written by David Foster and Allee Willis that stayed at number two R&B/pop for two weeks. Their Faces LP peaked at number ten pop in late 1980 and was boosted to gold by the singles "Let Me Talk" (number eight R&B), "You" (number ten R&B), and "And Love Goes On". The million-selling funked-up "Let's Groove," co-written by the Emotions' Wanda Vaughn and her husband Wayne Vaughn, was the track that re-energized EWF's career, parking at number one R&B for eight weeks and number three pop, causing their Raise LP to go platinum, hitting number five pop in late 1981. Their next gold album Powerlight made it to number 12 pop in spring 1983 and included the Top Ten R&B single "Magnetic." Their Electric Universe LP stalled at number 40 pop in early 1974, breaking the band's string of gold and platinum albums.

White decided he and the band needed a hiatus. He signed a solo deal with Columbia that resulted in a sweet cover of Ben E. King's 1961 hit "Stand By Me" (number six R&B). Maurice White, issued in fall 1985, also included the chimey, island-flavored "Switch on Your Radio" and the airy ballad "I Need You," a radio-aired LP track. White sang backing vocals on fellow Columbia artist Neil Diamond's 1986 "Headed for the Future" and can be heard on Diamond's 1996 best-of Sony CD In My Lifetime. Reuniting with EWF in 1987, the group scored yet another number one R&B single, "System of Survival." The smash was included on the gold Touch the World album. EWF's last charting pop LP was Millennium in fall 1993.

Earth, Wind & Fire (sans White) appeared on A&E's live concert/call-in show Live By Request in July 1999. That same year, White began a new Navarre-distributed label, Kalimba Records, whose roster includes Freddie Ravel and new band Sixth Sense. Kalimba Productions scored hits with Deniece Williams, the Emotions, and DJ Rogers' "Love Brought Me Back." Maurice White was featured in the November 1999 issue of Recording Magazine. — Ed Hogan

Philip Bailey's Bio From All Music Guide
Philip Bailey first gained fame as the mesmerizing lead falsetto of '70s supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. The singer/percussionist's four-octave range set a high standard for upper-range pop vocalists. Few, if any, can match Bailey's skills. For example, listen to his dazzling, impassioned performance on "Imagination" from Earth, Wind & Fire's Spirit LP (Columbia, 1976). Born May 8, 1951, in Denver, CO, Bailey started singing as a child but as he grew he became more enamored with percussion. He'd overturn trash cans, turning them into makeshift drum sets. Eventually his mother bought him a real one. Introduced to jazz through his mother's best friend's album collection, Bailey began to develop a liking for the music. While the other kids in the neighborhood would be outside playing, he'd be at home in front of the record player. Around that time, his mother took him to a jazz club to hear an older cousin play saxophone. This fueled Bailey's obsession for jazz even more.

As a teenager, Bailey pursued his dream, playing drums and bass in the high school jazz band, then rushing off to rehearsals with the school choir. In college, he expanded his percussion talents to include marimba and timpani and strongly considered joining a symphony orchestra after graduation. His favorites were Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and drummers Max Roach and Art Blakey. Bailey became a regular on the bill at several local clubs, singing from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., then playing drums from 3:30 a.m. to six in the morning. One night, his band supported the embryonic Earth, Wind & Fire, and brief introductions were made. It was an encounter that was to prove vital to Bailey's future and to the history of American pop music.

Bailey left college a year later and decided to pursue a musical career in Los Angeles. Once he arrived on the West Coast, he hooked up again with Earth, Wind & Fire. The group's founder Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records (Etta James, Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Ramsey Lewis), had arrived in L.A. only the year before with visions of creating a truly universal music group, one that was spiritually charged and ambitious in scope, defying boundaries of color, culture, and categorization. Those ideas appealed to Bailey as well and he joined the group in 1972. Bailey's shimmering falsetto blended perfectly with White's charismatic tenor. First recording for Warner Bros., then Columbia Records, the group slowly began to build a reputation for exciting, live shows (complete with feats of magic) and innovative recordings. Six-time Grammy winners, Earth, Wind & Fire had 46 charting R&B singles, 33 charting pop singles, including eight gold singles: "Shining Star," "Sing a Song," "Getaway," a cover of the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life," "September," "Boogie Wonderland" with the Emotions, "After the Love Is Gone," and "Let's Groove." The group also won four American Music Awards and earned more than 50 gold and platinum albums. In 1982, while continuing his work with EWF, Bailey signed a solo deal with Columbia, releasing his first solo LP, the George Duke-produced Continuation," which spanned the singles "I Know" (number ten R&B) and "Trapped." Then in October 1984, Chinese Wall was issued, an album Bailey co-produced with Phil Collins. The first single, "Photogenic Memory," stalled at number 61 R&B in fall 1984. The second single, "Easy Lover," a duet with Phil Collins, became a worldwide hit going to number three R&B, number two pop and earning Bailey his first gold solo record. The follow-up, the exotic "Walking on the Chinese Wall," peaked at number 56 R&B in spring 1985. The flip side of "...Wall," "Children of the Ghetto," received urban radio airplay and became a steppers classic in later years. Other highlights from Chinese Wall were the pop/rocker "I Go Crazy" and the ballad "For Every Heart That's Been Broken." Bailey's 1986 Inside Out album was co-produced by Nile Rodgers (Chic, Madonna, David Bowie) with one single, "State of the Heart," peaking at number 20 R&B in spring 1986. During that time, Bailey also began making a name for himself in the gospel world and released four gospel recordings on Word: The Wonders of His Love (1984), the Grammy-winning Triumph (1986), Family Affair (1989), and The Best of Philip Bailey: A Gospel Collection (1991).

Shortly after returning to the studio with Earth, Wind & Fire to record the band's Grammy-nominated Millennium, Bailey collaborated with singer Brian McKnight and members of P.M. Dawn and Arrested Development to co-write and record another pop/R&B solo project, Philip Bailey (1994). A single from the LP, "Here With Me," charted number 66 R&B in early 1994. In 1998, his album Life and Love was released throughout Europe. In 1999, Bailey signed with Heads Up International and released the enhanced CD Dreams, a smooth jazz album that features a who's who of contemporary jazz artists, including Gerald Albright, Randy Brecker, Luis Conte, George Duke, Everette Harp, Joe McBride, Pat Metheny, Morris Pleasure (who also co-produced some tracks), Gerald Veasley, Grover Washington Jr., Kirk Whalum, and Peter White. The enhanced portion of Dreams features a video of Bailey and keyboardist Keiko Matsui performing the jazz standard "Return to Paradise." Bailey also appeared on Gerald Veasley's Soul Control, Fourplay's Between the Sheets, Joe McBride's Keys to Your Heart, Anri's 16th Summer Breeze, and Keiko Matsui's Doll. Bailey appeared with Earth, Wind & Fire (sans White) on cable network A&E's live concert/call-in show Live By Request in July 1999. — Ed Hogan

Larry Dunn's Bio From Wikipedia
Larry Dunn was keyboardist, musical director and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, & Fire.Went to East High School in Denver.

Dunn, along with the other members of Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Dunn and his wife Luisa are owners of Source Productions, and are involved in music for TV, film and commercials in addition to working with various other musicians. During most of the Earth , Wind & Fire-years , Larry produced , performed , composed and arranged for side-projects like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Caldera, Ramsey Lewis, Ronnie Laws, Stanley Turrentine, Sylvia St. James , Lenny White with Twennynine and many more.

Dunn has also toured with Al McKay and his L.A. All Stars. He is, together with ex-EWF keyboardist Morris Pleasure and ex-EWF guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, one of the founding members of Devoted Spirits. The first Devoted Spirits album, A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire holds their cover versions of classic EWF songs as well as some new material. A second Devoted Spirits album is due to be released, called The Answer.

Dunn's second solo album will also soon be released, and this will be preceded by a single called "Finally", with the collaboration of Beloyd Taylor and James Ingram.

Kim Johnson's Bio From Wikipedia
Kim Johnson is currently a back-up vocalist with the funk group Earth, Wind & Fire.

Kim Johnson grew up in Los Angeles and started out singing in church. She, along with her sisters, have worked with several gospel artists including Andrae Crouch and Shirley Caesar.

Before Earth, Wind & Fire, Kim was in a singing group with her sister Kandy Johnson (Isley) called JS. JS, which stands for the Johnson Sisters, released their debut album, prodouced by R. Kelly, entitled "Ice Cream" in 2003. The Johnson sisters have backed such artists as Michael Jackson, Sting, Christina Aguilera and the Isley Brothers. Singer Ronald Isley took them under his wing and become their manager and introduced them to R. Kelly, who wrote several songs for them.

Jessica Cleaves' Bio From Wikipedia
Jessica Cleaves (born December 10, 1948, Los Angeles, CA ) was lead singer for Friends of Distinction in the 1960s. Founded by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, the Friends of Distinction also comprised Barbara Jean Love (plus Charlene Gibson, who replaced Love during her pregnancy).

Cleaves, also, performed and recorded with Earth, Wind & Fire, and for a brief time performed with Parliament/Funkadelic.

Ronnie Laws' Bio From Wikipedia
Ronald "Ronnie" Laws (born October 3, 1950 in Houston, Texas) is an American jazz, blues and funk saxophonist. He is the younger brother of jazz flautist Hubert Laws.

Laws attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas for two years. In 1972, Laws joined the fledgling group Earth, Wind & Fire, playing saxophone and flute on their album Last Days And Time. He left the band soon afterwards, long before they achieved their huge commercial success.

In 1976, he began his solo career with the album Pressure Sensitive, on which his most famous instrumental song, "Always There", was included. It became an instant jazz-funk classic, covered by numerous artists.

In 1978 he released an album called Flame under United Artsts (UA) records and from it a 12" single was released called "All for you" with a strong vocal presence and additional tracks entitled "Let's Keep it Together" and "Nuthin' 'bout nuthin" from other previous albums. The 12" single was his first issued in the UK as well as the US and paved the way for this format to be used for promoting artists' work at the time without the need to own the full LP.

Apart from saxophones, Laws also included vocals into his songs. Notable vocal makings include "Every Generation" (1980), "Stay Awake" (1981, included on the album Solid Ground) and "Mr. Nice Guy" (1982).

Laws has also recorded with numerous other artists, including Arthur Adams, Howard Hewett, Ramsey Lewis, Jeff Lorber, Hugh Masekela, Alphonse Mouzon, David Sea, and Sister Sledge.

In 1999 a tribute to Ronnie Laws' "Always There", mentioned earlier, was played by a group of musicians including Boney James, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Larry Carlton performing the number at the Montreux Jazz Festival. This has been issued on DVD and is entitled Casino Lights '99'.

More recently in June 2005 the album Every Generation from 1980 was at last, after continued demand, issued on CD format. The original tracks are "Young Child", "Never get back to Houston", "Every Generation", "Tomorrow", "O.T.B.A.", "Love's Victory", "Thoughts and Memories" and "As one".

Official Site: Earth Wind & Fire, Earth Wind & Fire Fan Club, MySpace, Verdine White, Verdine White's MySpace, Maurice White, Maurice White's MySpace, Phillip Bailey, Phillip Bailey's MySpace, Larry Dunn, Larry Dunn's MySpace, Kim Johnson's MySpace, Ralph Johnson's MySpace