
Feature Photo by L Paul Mann licensed from Shutterstock
Earth, Wind & Fire formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969, with Maurice White building the group out of his earlier Salty Peppers project and shaping a sound that mixed jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro pop. White had worked as a session drummer for Chess Records and played with the Ramsey Lewis Trio before teaming up in Chicago with Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead to write songs and commercials. That trio secured a Capitol Records deal as the Salty Peppers, scoring a regional Midwest hit with “La La Time,” before White moved the operation to Los Angeles and began expanding the lineup.
In Los Angeles, White added singer Sherry Scott and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, then brought in his younger brother Verdine White on bass, who relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles on 6, 1970. White shopped demo tapes that featured Donny Hathaway, and the group ultimately signed with Warner Bros. Records. He soon renamed the band Earth, Wind & Fire, connecting the name to his astrological sign Sagittarius and the classical elemental associations that omit water. Warner Bros. assigned producer Joe Wissert, and White held auditions that added players such as Michael Beal, Chester Washington, Leslie Drayton, and Alex Thomas as the group took shape as a large ensemble with horns, percussion, and layered vocals.
The band’s self titled debut album, Earth, Wind & Fire, arrived in 1971 on Warner Bros. and reached number twenty four on Billboard’s Top Soul Albums chart, later receiving a Gold certification in France. In the same year, the group performed on the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles’s film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, with that soundtrack reaching number thirteen on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. After internal changes, White rebuilt the band in 1972 with key additions that included Philip Bailey on vocals, Ralph Johnson on percussion, Larry Dunn on keyboards, and Andrew Woolfolk on saxophone, and the band’s momentum shifted again when Clive Davis, then president of Columbia Records, saw them at Rockefeller Center and bought their contract from Warner Bros., with Wissert continuing as producer.
From that point, Earth, Wind & Fire’s commercial peak became inseparable from a run of major singles that crossed both R&B and pop charts. “Shining Star” hit number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts, and it won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In 1978, the band’s cover of the Beatles’ “Got to Get You into My Life,” performed in the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, reached number one on the U.S. Billboard R&B songs chart and number nine on the U.S. pop singles chart, earning Grammy recognition that included a win for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).
The late 1970s and early 1980s added more defining titles to their hit list, with precise chart placements that show how consistently the band worked both formats. “September” peaked at number one on Billboard’s Hot Soul Songs chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and it also reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. “Boogie Wonderland,” featuring the Emotions, reached number two on Billboard’s Hot Soul Songs chart and number six on the Billboard Hot 100, while “After the Love Has Gone” hit number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Songs charts, then won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. In 1981, “Let’s Groove” reached number one on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100, extending their chart run into a new decade.
Across their recorded catalog, the band’s studio album list on Wikipedia runs from Earth, Wind & Fire (1971) through Holiday (2014), totaling twenty two studio albums, alongside numerous live and compilation releases. Earth, Wind & Fire are also listed among the best selling bands of all time, with worldwide sales stated as over ninety million records. Their major career recognition includes six Grammy Awards from seventeen nominations and four American Music Awards from twelve nominations, plus inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame, and Hollywood’s Rockwalk, along with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Additional honors cited on the page include an ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Heritage Award, a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a Soul Train Legend Award, a NARAS Signature Governor’s Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2012 Congressional Horizon Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019.
Outside of conventional album and tour cycles, the group’s history on the page includes several specific public and philanthropic or civic aligned appearances, as well as projects that extended into other mediums. In 1979, they performed at the Music for UNICEF Concert, broadcast worldwide from the United Nations General Assembly. In 2007, they appeared on an American Idol special titled “Idol Gives Back,” and later that year they performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, which the page says was broadcast to over one hundred countries. In 2010, the band participated in the recording of “We Are the World 25 for Haiti,” and in 2006, Maurice White worked with Maurice Hines to develop the Broadway jukebox musical Hot Feet, built around Earth, Wind & Fire’s music, with new songs co written with Allee Willis.
Complete List Of Earth, Wind & Fire Songs From A to Z
- A Talking Voice (Interlude) – Illumination – 2005
- Africano – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- Africano/Power – Gratitude – 1975
- After the Love Has Gone – I Am – 1979
- All About Love – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- All About Love – The Promise – 2003
- All in the Way – The Promise – 2003
- And Love Goes On – Faces – 1980
- Anything You Want – Heritage – 1990
- Autumn – Illumination – 2005
- Avatar – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Away in a Manger – Holiday – 2014
- Bad Tune – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Back on the Road – Faces – 1980
- Be Ever Wonderful – All ‘n All – 1977
- Beauty – The Need of Love – 1971
- Belo Horizonte – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Betcha’ – The Promise – 2003
- Biyo – Spirit – 1976
- Blood Brothers – Millennium – 1993
- Boogie Wonderland – I Am – 1979
- Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo) – All ‘n All – 1977
- Brazilian Rhyme (Ponta de Areia) – All ‘n All – 1977
- Build Your Nest – Head to the Sky – 1973
- Burnin’ Bush – Spirit – 1976
- C’mon Children – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Can’t Hide Love – Gratitude – 1975
- Can’t Hide Love (Masters at Work Remix) – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Can’t Let Go – I Am – 1979
- Caribou – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Celebrate – Gratitude – 1975
- Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues – Millennium – 1993
- Clover – Head to the Sky – 1973
- Could It Be Right – Electric Universe – 1983
- Cruising – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Dance Floor – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Daydreamin’ – Heritage – 1990
- December – Holiday – 2014
- Departure – Spirit – 1976
- Devotion – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Devotion – Gratitude – 1975
- Diana – I Am – 1979
- Dirty – The Promise – 2003
- Divine – Millennium – 1993
- Drum Song – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Earth, Wind & Fire – Spirit – 1976
- Electric Nation – Electric Universe – 1983
- Elevated – Illumination – 2005
- Energy – The Need of Love – 1971
- Even If You Wonder – Millennium – 1993
- Every Day Is Like Christmas – Holiday – 2014
- Everything Is Everything – The Need of Love – 1971
- Evil – Head to the Sky – 1973
- Evolution Orange – Raise! – 1981
- Faces – Faces – 1980
- Fair But So Uncool – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Fall in Love with Me – Powerlight – 1983
- Fan the Fire – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Fantasy – All ‘n All – 1977
- Feelin’ Blue – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Fill You Up – In the Name of Love – 1997
- For the Love of You – Heritage – 1990
- Freedom – The Promise – 2003
- Freedom of Choice – Powerlight – 1983
- Getaway – Spirit – 1976
- Good Time – Heritage – 1990
- Got to Be Love – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Gotta Find Out – Heritage – 1990
- Gratitude – Gratitude – 1975
- Guiding Lights – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Happy Feelin’ – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- Happy Seasons – Holiday – 2014
- Hearts to Heart – Powerlight – 1983
- Help Somebody – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Heritage – Heritage – 1990
- Hero As He Rose – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Hold Me – The Promise – 2003
- Honor The Magic – Millennium – 1993
- I Can Feel It In My Bones – The Need of Love – 1971
- I Think About Lovin’ You – The Need of Love – 1971
- I’d Rather Have You – Last Days and Time – 1972
- I’ll Write a Song For You – All ‘n All – 1977
- I’m in Love – Heritage – 1990
- I’ve Had Enough – Raise! – 1981
- Imagination – Spirit – 1976
- In the Marketplace (Interlude) – All ‘n All – 1977
- In the Name of Love – In the Name of Love – 1997
- In the Stone – I Am – 1979
- In Time – Faces – 1980
- Interlude – Last Days and Time – 1972
- Interlude: Bird – Heritage – 1990
- Interlude: Body Wrap – Heritage – 1990
- Interlude: Close to Home – Heritage – 1990
- Interlude: Faith – Heritage – 1990
- Interlude: Soweto – Heritage – 1990
- Introduction by MC Perry Jones – Gratitude – 1975
- Jingle Bell Rock – Holiday – 2014
- Joy to the World – Holiday – 2014
- Jupiter – All ‘n All – 1977
- Just Another Lonely Night – Millennium – 1993
- Kalimba Blues – Millennium – 1993
- Kalimba Interlude – Millennium – 1993
- Kalimba Story – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Kalimba Tree – Raise! – 1981
- Keep It Real – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Keep Your Head to the Sky – Head to the Sky – 1973
- King of Groove – Heritage – 1990
- Lady Sun – Raise! – 1981
- Let Me Love You – The Promise – 2003
- Let Me Love You – Illumination – 2005
- Let Me Talk – Faces – 1980
- Let Your Feelings Show – I Am – 1979
- Let’s Groove – Raise! – 1981
- Liberation – Illumination – 2005
- Love Across The Wire – Millennium – 1993
- Love Is Law – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Love Is Life – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Love Is Life – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Love Is The Greatest Story – Millennium – 1993
- Love Together – Illumination – 2005
- Love’s Dance – Illumination – 2005
- Love’s Holiday – All ‘n All – 1977
- Lovely People – Illumination – 2005
- Magic Mind – All ‘n All – 1977
- Magnetic – Electric Universe – 1983
- Make It with You – Last Days and Time – 1972
- Mighty Mighty – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Miracles – Powerlight – 1983
- Mom – Last Days and Time – 1972
- Moment of Truth – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Moonwalk – Electric Universe – 1983
- Motor – Heritage – 1990
- My Love – Raise! – 1981
- My Promise – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- My Promise (featuring Omar Sy) – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Never – The Promise – 2003
- New World Symphony – Gratitude – 1975
- Night of My Life – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- O Come All Ye Faithfull – Holiday – 2014
- On Your Face – Spirit – 1976
- Open Our Eyes – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Pass You By – Illumination – 2005
- Power – Last Days and Time – 1972
- Prelude – The Promise – 2003
- Pride – Faces – 1980
- Pure Gold – Illumination – 2005
- Rabbit Seed – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Reasons – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- Reasons – Gratitude – 1975
- Remember the Children – Last Days and Time – 1972
- Revolution – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Right Time – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Rock It – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Rock That! – I Am – 1979
- Round and Round – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Runnin – All ‘n All – 1977
- Sailaway – Faces – 1980
- Saturday Nite – Spirit – 1976
- See the Light – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- Serpentine Fire – All ‘n All – 1977
- Share Your Love – Faces – 1980
- She Waits – The Promise – 2003
- Shining Star – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- Shining Star – Gratitude – 1975
- Shining Star (DJ Jin Asakusa Samba Remix) – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Show Me the Way – Illumination – 2005
- Side by Side – Powerlight – 1983
- Sign On – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Sing a Message to You – Gratitude – 1975
- Sing a Song – Gratitude – 1975
- Sleigh Ride – Holiday – 2014
- Snow – Holiday – 2014
- So Lucky – The Promise – 2003
- Song in My Heart – Faces – 1980
- Something Special – Powerlight – 1983
- Soul – The Promise – 2003
- Soweto (Reprise) – Heritage – 1990
- Spasmodic Movements – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- Sparkle – Faces – 1980
- Spend The Night – Millennium – 1993
- Spirit – Spirit – 1976
- Spirit of a New World – Electric Universe – 1983
- Splashes – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Spread Your Love – Powerlight – 1983
- Star – I Am – 1979
- Straight from the Heart – Powerlight – 1983
- Sun Goddess – Gratitude – 1975
- Sunday Morning – Millennium – 1993
- Sunshine – Gratitude – 1975
- Super Hero – Millennium – 1993
- Suppose You Like Me – The Promise – 2003
- Sweet Sassy Lady – Electric Universe – 1983
- Take It to the Sky – Faces – 1980
- Takin’ Chances – Heritage – 1990
- Tee Nine Chee Bit – Open Our Eyes – 1974
- That’s the Way of the World – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- The Changing Times – Raise! – 1981
- The First Noël – Holiday – 2014
- The “L” Word – Millennium – 1993
- The Little Drummer Boy – Holiday – 2014
- The One – Illumination – 2005
- The Promise – The Promise – 2003
- The Promise (Continued) – The Promise – 2003
- The Rush – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- The Speed of Love – Powerlight – 1983
- The Way You Move – Illumination – 2005
- The World’s a Masquerade – Head to the Sky – 1973
- They Don’t See – Last Days and Time – 1972
- This Is How I Feel – Illumination – 2005
- This World Today – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1971
- Time Is on Your Side – Last Days and Time – 1972
- To You – Illumination – 2005
- Touch – Electric Universe – 1983
- Turn It Into Something Good – Faces – 1980
- Two Hearts – Millennium – 1993
- Wait – I Am – 1979
- Wanna Be the Man – Heritage – 1990
- Wanna Be with You – Raise! – 1981
- Welcome – Heritage – 1990
- We’re Living in Our Own Time – Electric Universe – 1983
- What Child Is This? – Holiday – 2014
- When Love Goes Wrong – In the Name of Love – 1997
- Where Do We Go from Here? – The Promise – 2003
- Where Have All the Flowers Gone? – Last Days and Time – 1972
- Whirlwind – Now, Then & Forever – 2013
- Why? – The Promise – 2003
- Wiggle – The Promise – 2003
- Win or Lose – Faces – 1980
- Winter Wonderland – Holiday – 2014
- Wonderland – The Promise – 2003
- Work It Out – Illumination – 2005
- Wouldn’t Change A Thing About You – Millennium – 1993
- Yearnin’ Learnin’ – That’s the Way of the World – 1975
- Yearnin’ Learnin’ – Gratitude – 1975
- You – Faces – 1980
- You and I – I Am – 1979
- You Are a Winner – Raise! – 1981
- You Went Away – Faces – 1980
- Zanzibar – Head to the Sky – 1973
Albums
Earth, Wind & Fire (1971)
The Need of Love (1971)
Last Days and Time (1972)
Head to the Sky (1973)
Open Our Eyes (1974)
That’s the Way of the World (1975)
Gratitude (1975)
Spirit (1976)
All ‘n All (1977)
I Am (1979)
Faces (1980)
Raise! (1981)
Powerlight (1983)
Electric Universe (1983)
Touch the World (1987)
Heritage (1990)
Millennium (1993)
In the Name of Love (1997)
The Promise (2003)
Illumination (2005)
Now, Then & Forever (2013)
Holiday (2014)
Check out similar articles and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Top 200 Songs About Food
Read More: 25 Best Classic Rock Live Albums Of All Time
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
Complete List Of Earth, Wind & Fire Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025
Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business, or organization is allowed to re-publish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission. All photos used are either public domain Creative Commons photos or licensed officially from Shutterstock under license with ClassicRockHistory.com. All photo credits have been placed at the end of the article. Album Cover Photos are affiliate links and the property of Amazon and are stored on the Amazon server. Any theft of our content will be met with swift legal action against the infringing websites.



































