Rhythm Section

Earth, Wind & Fire still in 
Boogie Wonderland

By Kevin Bridges

Earth, Wind & Fire are one of the most successful R&B acts in music history.

They formed in 1969 but hit their musical peak in the late ’70s and have sold more than 90 million albums. 

Their unique mix of funky soul and slinky ballads on hits such as Boogie Wonderland, September and After The Love Has Gone still sounds potent today.

The band have just released a brand new compilation of all their classics — Earth, Wind & Fire — The Greatest Hits.

Incognito

Pinning down lead singer Philip Bailey isn’t easy , as the band like to travel incognito, so I had to explain to a bemused receptionist in a Rome hotel that I was trying to speak to a Mr Buck Rogers!

However, once located, Philip admitted that he’s proud of the band’s continuing huge success.

The group had an unparalleled period in the late ’70s when it seemed they could do no wrong.

“It was all a bit surreal at the time,” Philip told me. “It felt like winning the Superbowl or the World Cup every day. It was a whirlwind of activity for about 10 years. 

“We were so young we took it for granted. Now we’re able to enjoy the fruits of our labours.”

The band’s music hasn’t really dated at all — still sounding fresh and vibrant — and is attracting new generations all the time.

“We have four generations at our shows these days. We hear bits of our music sampled too.”

Classics

The band are in the middle of a European tour but Philip insists they don’t get tired of singing their classics. “The audience helps us get inspired each night.

“Mind you, there are songs we’ve sung so many times we could probably still do them in our sleep!” he laughed.

Two of their best known songs are the disco classic hit Boogie Wonderland and the ballad After The Love Has Gone. Philip told me about them.

“Boogie Wonderland was at the height of the disco era for sure but we still managed to do it in our style. When we do it now we do a sort of house beat to it.”

Despite being a slushy ballad, perfect for romantic slow dancing, the lyrics of After The Love Has Gone are all about the end of love.

“I think that’s one of the reasons it’s done so well,” Philip said. “Even if someone has never had their heart broken, they probably know someone who has.”

The band are famous for their lavish stage productions but Philip said things often go wrong.

“Just about everything that can go wrong has gone wrong at some stage. That’s when professionalism kicks in. If the lights don’t work, you can still sing. You only have a problem if everything doesn’t work!” he laughed.”

Phil Collins

One of Philip’s biggest hits was Easy Lover, which he sang with Phil Collins in 1985, but he doesn’t sing it much these days, nor is it on the new album. I asked why.

“There are so many Earth, Wind & Fire songs there just isn’t room. I was able to sing it with Phil a few weeks ago at a writers’ award ceremony in the States.”

Along with Philip the other leader of Earth, Wind & Fire was Maurice White, who sadly can’t perform with the band any longer as he sufferers from Parkinson’s disease. But his brother Verdine still tours with the band.

“It’s probably been 20 years since Maurice has been able to tour with us, but you can’t play Earth, Wind & Fire songs without him being there in spirit,” Philip said.

If you don’t already own the songs, buy the album to transport you into boogie wonderland.

For more about the band go to their official website at www.earthwindandfire.com

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© All copyright D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd., 2010