Earth, Wind and Fire’s Philip Bailey Dissects the Elements of Music and Message
When Maurice White was formulating his vision for Earth, Wind and Fire—the band name taken from elements associated with his astrological sign of Sagittarius—the singer/songwriter wanted to create an ensemble the likes of which had never been seen or heard before.
Musically, they would combine R&B, funk, jazz, rock and dance music. Lyrics would reflect a positive and spiritual outlook on life and the universe. And White’s interests in astrology, mysticism, and Ancient Egyptian/Black History would be expressed in the band’s stage costumes, sets and record covers.
So, when a barely out-of-his-teens Philip Bailey joined the band as a co-lead vocalist in 1972 with other new members, did they initially share White’s vision…or not?
“Well, you have to understand, we were all 10 years younger than Maurice. So, he didn’t ask us for permission to do these things!” the now 73-year-old Bailey laughs.
“But we were on board to make his dream come true and sustain it with our success. It had power. We loved what we did and wanted to make the best music we could make. We did then and do now. It’s the soundtrack of so many people’s lives.”
Earth, Wind and Fire certainly had enough big hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s to cement their legacy. Among them “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove,” “Fantasy,” “Sing a Song,” “Serpentine Fire,” “Getaway” and ballads like “Shining Star,” “After the Love Has Gone,” “Reasons,” and “That’s the Way of the World.”
Maurice White who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, died in 2016. But Houston audiences will have a chance to see Bailey, original EWF member Verdine White (bass, and Maurice’s brother), and classic member Ralph Johnson (percussion/vocals) in the dozen-man lineup on August 24 at The Woodlands Pavilion. Frequent tour mates Chicago co-headline, and after each band’s set both groups come together for a grand finale.
In Shining Star, his own 2014 autobiography, Bailey reflected on his life in and out of music. He was pretty forthcoming how much his career (and sometimes, his own behavior on the road) negatively affected his family. Things have come a bit full circle as his son, Philip Bailey Jr., has been part of the EWF lineup for over a decade as a background vocalist.
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