Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) is an American musical institution that redefined the boundaries of popular music by seamlessly blending R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, and Afro-pop. Founded in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White, the group emerged from an earlier outfit called the Salty Peppers to become one of the best-selling bands in history, with global record sales exceeding 90 million.

The band's foundation was built on the vision of Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records. After relocating to Los Angeles, White expanded the group's lineup and sonic palette. While the roster evolved over decades, core members such as Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson became synonymous with the EWF identity. Other significant contributors throughout their history include Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Andrew Woolfolk, and Ronnie Laws.