Comments on: Earth Wind and Fire Founder Remembered

By: Truthiz1

Truthiz1 — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 22:25:31 +0000

I too was fortunate to see Earth Wind and Fire in concert.

It was during our annual summer vacation visitng kinfolk in Savannah, GA. Soon after we arrived my cousins informd me that EW&F was coming to town, along with the Emotions. I nearly lost it..!!! But my parents weren't concert goers and we were too young to go by ourselves.

My grandaddy (a steelmill worker) suprised me with tickets to the concert so that I could go and he was my chaperone. He sat a little distance away with other parents and grandparents so that We (kids) could thoroughly Enjoy ourselves and feel grown…Lol.

My granddaddy was already *the World* to me even before that. But after that …words can't describe what he meant to me.

By: DJ

DJ — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 20:25:06 +0000

I grew up on the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. I remember as a child my parents taking me to one of their concerts and how my mouth was dropped open in awe of them the entire time. That music and that era was and is truly life changing. May Maurice rest in power!

– DJ

By: Truthiz1

Truthiz1 — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 15:34:07 +0000

Btw – people may not know that EW&F had a female vocalist in that group from 69-to-73.

First: Sherry Scott from 69-to-71.

2nd: Jessica Cleaves from 72-to-73.

It's Jessica Cleaves hitting those incredible high notes at the end of of the featured song "Keep Your Head To The Sky." on the album by the same name.

For awhile Cleaves had also been the female lead singer of the 70s group *Friends of Distinction.*

By: Truthiz1

Truthiz1 — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 15:16:16 +0000

Well this one really hit me hard when I first heard the news…………

DJ:
"Earth Wind and Fire owned the ’70s and ’80s as arguably one of the best and most successful acts in America."

Hear! Hear!

Growing up during that period I can tell you first hand – the music written (mostly) by Maurice White, performed by EW&F, was pure Genius…and remains so to this day. As all great music is Timeless.

I grew up when incredible music…written, produced, and performed by incredible artists (Black and White)…was plentiful…!!! No matter the genre, great music could be heard darn near everywhere….even on the radio in a small PA city like mine.

That said. Geniuses like Maurice White IMO are in a league all their own.

I was introduced to Maurice White and EW&F, in my youth, by my uncle who was in his early 20s circa 73-74. A friend had urged him to check out a new album by a new group named Earth Wind and Fire. The album was "Head To The Sky." I heard him playing that album one day and my young ears immediately knew that "Wow. That's different."

The rest, as they say, is history.

Needless to say my music library is filled with Maurice's work….including his work with other artists – my favorite being my favorite girl-group, the *Emotions.* And his work with Denise Williams and the *Urban Knights* feat. pianist, Ramsey Lewis.

Maurice White and EW&F are as much a part of my childhood and young adult memories as any other memories that I cherish.

I am so Thankful he shared his gift.

May he Rest. In. Peace.