Earth, Wind & Fire is undoubtedly one of the greatest bands that the world of music has ever witnessed. Founded in 1969 by Maurice White, this band is noted for incorporating African music, funk, R&B, soul, jazz, disco, pop, and rock musical styles in their music, and is incredibly famous for this. Since their formation more than five decades ago, Earth, Wind & Fire have remained performance touring globally with fans enjoying their vibrant stage shows and coming together for the love of music.
The band’s touring history can be considered one of the most consistent and ambitious in terms of both scale and time (interrupted by certain circumstances throughout the years). Earth, Wind & Fire began their first national tour in 1971 after the release of their self-titled debut album. While performing with Friends Of Distinction, they were able to do most of their performances on college circuits and even performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York. This early touring was important as it enabled them to create a new fan base since the group's music was relatively new and different from that of others in the Chicago scene.
World backup for each of their studio records was traveled from the early seventies up to the middle of the seventies. It also toured across the United States of America and even in Europe and Japan to spread its happy and energetic music. Their lively performance and good instrumental skills ensured that they were a must-watch live band before enjoying sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl and New York’s Madison Square Garden. Such tunes as Shining Star, Sing a Song, September, and so on instantly hit the charts and became songs with choruses that are adored by throngs of fans in stadiums across the country.
Late in the year 1977, Earth, Wind & Fire sought to capitalize on the success they were enjoying and went on elaborate world tours. The most famous was their 1979 I Am World Tour, which was supported by chemical company RCA and lasted ten months throughout both hemispheres. Performances in Africa were particularly triumphalistic homeward. Being a live event, Earth, Wind & Fire hired extra musicians and singers to perform live in front of the audience even though the band’s arrangements were complex and full of layers. Showmanship, conjuring, and glittering dancing added two other dimensions to their concerts beyond the mere sounds of the songs.
Misfortune arrived in 1981 when the band’s leader Maurice White, succumbed to Parkinson’s disease that halted the group from touring for almost two years. Fortunately, White was able to keep his condition in check for a while and the band was back on the road by 1987. Earth, Wind & Fire toured extensively again in support of diverse albums such as Touch The World and Millennium. Records sales were going down but the band was still experiencing good attendance rates at their concerts indicating the popularity of the band among concertgoers. The early nineties marked the 25th anniversary of tours of Earth, Wind & Fire and they did not disappoint as their music proved timeless.
Toward the final phase of the twentieth century and the beginning of the new millennium, the concert tours of Earth, Wind & Fire revived. Maurice White reduced his involvement with the band but they continued to tour around the globe every year with Philip Bailey on vocals. They were one of the featured performers to play in the newly renovated Radio City Music Hall concert venue in 2000. In the 21st century, Earth, Wind & Fire have been opening for many of the modern groups they inspired, including Lauryn Hill and Chicago. The famous music festivals where they have performed include Coachella, Glastonbury, Montreux Jazz Festival, and New Orleans Jazz Fest to pass on their music to young people.
In recent years, EW&F has not done extensive worldwide tours but rather has concentrated on periodic residency performances and special concerts. However, their concerts still go on to amaze audiences whether it is in a casino theater in Las Vegas or the legendary Hollywood Bowl, taking fans down memory lane through their hit list and some obscure tracks from their treasure trove. Original members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson look stylish and happy on the stage, unifying classic Soul, R&B, and Funk parties with an outstanding band.
Despite being active in performing for more than 50 years, the Earth, Wind & Fire keeps on participating in live performances. It has recently become a tendency for veteran bands to perform on tour well into their old age, yet none of these bands continue to exhibit physical vitality and appeal to the audience as EW&F. Of course, they will continue with celebratory ‘legacy tours as long as the core members are still able to perform. There should be more greatest hits tours in the coming years that will be paying tribute to other steady chart hit makers such as September, Let’s Groove, Boogie Wonderland, and so on. As the next generation gets to explore Earth, Wind & Fire’s cheerful discography, their energetic performances will surely continue to light up fans for many more years.
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