EARTH, Wind, & Fire is remembered for their hit singles September and After the Love Has Gone.
Since their formation, the Grammy Award-winning band has seen a rotation of members.
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Who are the Earth, Wind, & Fire members?
Earth, Wind, & Fire’s present lineup consists of:
- Philip Bailey
- Philip Bailey Jr.
- Verdine White
- Ralph Johnson
- B. David Whitworth
- Myron McKinley
- John Paris
- Morris O’Connor
- Serg Dimitrijevic
Past members of EW&F include:
On February 4, 2016, 74-year-old founding member Maurice White lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease and died in his sleep.
On April 24, 2022, longtime member Andrew Woolfolk died at the age of 71 from a six-year health battle.
On January 1, 2023, 67-year-old Fred White passed away as well.
Fred’s death was announced by his and Maurice’s brother Verdine.
“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte, and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels,” he stated via Instagram.
When was EW&F formed?
Formed in Chicago in 1969, EW&F was originally known as The Salty Peppers and consisted of Maurice White, Wade Flemons, and Don Whitehead.
By the time EW&F released their self-titled debut in February 1971, Maurice recruited his brother Verdine to join the band.
In 1972, the group added Larry Dunn, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson to the lineup.
In 2000, the band’s most popular iteration was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Often referred to as “the September lineup,” the most famous version of EW&F included:
- Maurice White
- Verdine White
- Fred White
- Philip Bailey
- Al McKay
- Andrew Woolfolk
- Johnny Graham
- Larry Dunn
- Ralph Johnson
“We really have to thank my late brother Maurice for that, he was the one who put the concept together,” Verdine told Cryptic Rock.
He said of the group’s formation: “We pretty much just followed along.
“He had it all in his head and knew exactly what he wanted to do.”
How did EW&F get their name?
In 1970, Maurice White changed the band’s name from The Salty Peppers to EW&F.
Maurice coined their name from the elements associated with his astrology sign Sagittarius.
Sagittarius is a fire sign that also borrows from the earth and air elements during the Fall and Spring seasons.
Hence, the absence of the fourth element water.
Is EW&F still together?
Although many members have come and gone, EW&F remains an active group.
On March 6, 2023, they announced their joint All Night Love Tour with Lionel Richie.
The tour kicked off in August of that same year and concluded in September.
Verdine, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson are the only original members to still perform with EW&F.
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