Complete List Of Earth, Wind & Fire Band Members

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Earth, Wind & Fire was formed in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White. The band became one of the most successful groups in popular music by blending funk, jazz, R&B, soul, pop, rock, Latin, and African influences into a sound that was instantly recognizable. Through 2026, Earth, Wind & Fire has released 21 studio albums, most recently Holiday (2014), while continuing to tour with longtime members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson at the center of the group. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and remains one of the most influential acts in funk and R&B history.

Verdine White

Verdine White was part of Earth, Wind & Fire’s original era and has been the band’s defining bassist for more than five decades. Invited into the group by his brother Maurice White, Verdine appeared on the 1971 debut Earth, Wind & Fire and has remained one of the group’s central figures through its classic albums, reunion years, and current touring lineup. His bass work is a key element of songs such as “Shining Star,” “Fantasy,” and “Let’s Groove.”

Philip Bailey

Philip Bailey joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1972 as a vocalist and percussionist and first appeared on Last Days and Time. His remarkable falsetto became one of the band’s signature sounds on songs including “Reasons,” “Fantasy,” and “Devotion.” Bailey also built a successful solo career, highlighted by the Phil Collins duet “Easy Lover,” and he remains a leading member of Earth, Wind & Fire in 2026.

Ralph Johnson

Ralph Johnson joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1972 as a drummer and percussionist and first appeared on Last Days and Time. He became a major part of the group’s rhythm section during its classic 1970s and early-1980s run and later continued primarily as a percussionist and vocalist. Johnson remains an active member of Earth, Wind & Fire in 2026.

B. David Whitworth

B. David Whitworth joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1996 as a percussionist and vocalist. He became an important part of the group’s live vocal and percussion sound and later appeared on recordings including The Promise (2003). Whitworth remains part of the current touring lineup.

Philip Bailey Jr.

Philip Bailey Jr., also known as Philip Doron Bailey, began performing regularly with Earth, Wind & Fire during the late 2000s as a vocalist and percussionist. Following in his father’s footsteps, he has contributed lead and background vocals in concert and remained part of the band’s live presentation through 2026.

Oshun Shango Oshunde

Oshun Shango Oshunde is a vocalist in Earth, Wind & Fire’s current touring lineup. After earlier work with Philip Bailey and other artists, he became part of the Earth, Wind & Fire live ensemble and remained onstage with the group in 2026, contributing background and featured vocals.

Myron McKinley

Myron McKinley joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 2001 as keyboardist and musical director. In addition to directing the live band, he has contributed to studio projects including The Promise (2003), Illumination (2005), Now, Then & Forever (2013), and Holiday (2014). He remains a current member of the touring lineup.

John Paris

John Paris joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 2001 as drummer and vocalist. He has appeared on studio albums including The Promise (2003), Illumination (2005), Now, Then & Forever (2013), and Holiday (2014), while also anchoring the band’s live rhythm section. Paris remains with the group in 2026.

Morris O’Connor

Morris O’Connor joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 2008 as lead guitarist and vocalist. He became a key part of the modern touring band and contributed to later studio work including Now, Then & Forever (2013) and Holiday (2014). O’Connor remains part of the current lineup.

Serg Dimitrijevic

Serg Dimitrijevic joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 2012 as rhythm guitarist and vocalist. He has helped preserve the layered guitar sound of the band’s live shows and contributed to Holiday (2014). Dimitrijevic remains a current member of the touring group.

Earth, Wind & Fire Horns

The current Earth, Wind & Fire Horns continue the brass tradition that has always been essential to the band’s sound. The section consists of Gary Bias on saxophone, Bobby Burns Jr. on trumpet, and Reggie Young on trombone. This later horn unit should be distinguished from the classic Phenix Horns, but it carries the same central role in Earth, Wind & Fire’s live arrangements.

Maurice White

Maurice White founded Earth, Wind & Fire in Chicago in 1969 and served as the group’s principal visionary, songwriter, producer, vocalist, drummer, and kalimba player. He shaped the band’s classic sound and helped create songs including “September,” “Fantasy,” “Shining Star,” and “Boogie Wonderland.” After stepping away from regular touring because of health issues, White remained involved behind the scenes as a composer and producer. He died in 2016.

Michael Beal

Michael Beal was part of Earth, Wind & Fire’s early Warner Bros. lineup around 1970–1971, playing guitar and harmonica. He belonged to the first version of the group before Maurice White rebuilt the lineup in 1972.

Leslie Drayton

Leslie Drayton played trumpet in Earth, Wind & Fire’s original early-1970s lineup. His brass work was part of the group’s first experiments with the horn-driven blend of jazz, soul, and funk that would later become central to the band’s identity.

Wade Flemons

Wade Flemons was one of the original members of Earth, Wind & Fire, playing electric piano and singing on the band’s early albums Earth, Wind & Fire (1971) and The Need of Love (1971). Flemons left when Maurice White reorganized the band in 1972. Before Earth, Wind & Fire, he had already recorded as a solo R&B artist.

Yackov Ben Israel (Phillard Williams)

Yackov Ben Israel, also known as Phillard Williams, played congas and percussion in Earth, Wind & Fire’s first lineup. His role helped establish the dense rhythmic foundation of the group’s earliest recordings before the major 1972 personnel overhaul.

Sherry Scott

Sherry Scott was a vocalist in Earth, Wind & Fire’s original early lineup. She contributed to the group’s first phase before Maurice White rebuilt the band in 1972 around a new group of singers and instrumentalists.

Alexander Thomas

Alexander Thomas played trombone in Earth, Wind & Fire’s first lineup. He was part of the early horn section that preceded the later Phenix Horns and the modern Earth, Wind & Fire Horns.

Chester Washington

Chester Washington played tenor saxophone during Earth, Wind & Fire’s original period. His presence in the first lineup helped establish the band’s early use of brass and woodwind instruments.

Don Whitehead

Don Whitehead played acoustic and electric piano and provided vocals in Earth, Wind & Fire’s original lineup. He was part of the first Warner Bros. era before Maurice White reorganized the band in 1972.

Jessica Cleaves

Jessica Cleaves joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1972 as a vocalist and first appeared on Last Days and Time. She also contributed to Head to the Sky (1973) and Open Our Eyes (1974) before leaving the group. Cleaves later worked with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic family.

Ronnie Laws

Ronnie Laws joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1972 on saxophone and flute and appeared on Last Days and Time. He left in 1973 and went on to a successful jazz and fusion career, including the 1975 album Pressure Sensitive.

Roland Bautista

Roland Bautista joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1972 as a guitarist and appeared on Last Days and Time. After leaving the group, he returned from 1981 to 1983 and contributed to albums including Raise!, Powerlight, and Electric Universe. Bautista also became a prolific session guitarist.

Larry Dunn

Larry Dunn joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1972 as keyboardist and became one of the architects of the band’s classic sound. His keyboards and synthesizers helped shape albums including That’s the Way of the World, Spirit, All ‘n All, and I Am. Dunn left the regular lineup in 1983 but later returned as a contributor to Earth, Wind & Fire projects.

Andrew Woolfolk

Andrew Woolfolk joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1973 on saxophone, flute, and percussion. He remained through the band’s first major era, returned after the 1984–1987 hiatus, and stayed until 1993. Woolfolk’s saxophone work became a major part of the band’s classic sound. He died in 2022.

Al McKay

Al McKay joined Earth, Wind & Fire during the 1973–1974 period as guitarist, sitar player, percussionist, and vocalist. He contributed to classic albums including Open Our Eyes, That’s the Way of the World, and All ‘n All and co-wrote songs including “September” and “Sing a Song.” McKay left the band in 1981 and later formed the Al McKay Allstars.

Fred White

Fred White joined his brothers Maurice and Verdine in Earth, Wind & Fire during the mid-1970s as drummer and percussionist. His playing powered the band through albums including That’s the Way of the World, Gratitude, Spirit, All ‘n All, I Am, Faces, Raise!, Powerlight, and Electric Universe. He left the regular lineup during the band’s 1980s hiatus and died in 2023.

Beloyd Taylor

Beloyd Taylor was part of Earth, Wind & Fire’s early-1980s lineup, contributing guitar, percussion, and vocals during the period surrounding Raise! and Powerlight. His tenure was brief, but he is included in the band’s official member history.

Freddie Ravel

Freddie Ravel served as a keyboardist with Earth, Wind & Fire during the early 1990s, including the period surrounding Millennium (1993). He later also appeared as a session contributor on The Promise (2003). Ravel has had a successful solo career and has worked with artists including Santana and Madonna.

Sheldon Reynolds

Sheldon Reynolds joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987 as guitarist and vocalist and remained with the group through 2002. He contributed to albums including Touch the World, Heritage, Millennium, and In the Name of Love. Reynolds died in 2023.

The Phenix Horns

The Phenix Horns were the celebrated horn section associated with Earth, Wind & Fire during the band’s classic era. The core lineup included Don Myrick on saxophone, Louis Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet, and Michael Harris on trumpet. Their work became a defining element of the band’s arrangements and later brought them to collaborations with Phil Collins and Genesis.

Doug Carn

Doug Carn played keyboards with Earth, Wind & Fire during part of the band’s early period. Although he was not a major studio-album contributor, he was associated with the group before becoming especially well known for his influential jazz recordings on the Black Jazz label.

Sonny Emory

Sonny Emory joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987 as drummer and vocalist and remained through 1999. He contributed to albums including Heritage (1990) and In the Name of Love (1997) and later worked with artists including Eric Clapton and Steely Dan.

Dick Smith

Dick Smith joined Earth, Wind & Fire in the late 1980s as a guitarist and vocalist and remained through the early 1990s. He was part of the lineup during the Heritage era and contributed to the band’s touring sound.

Vance Taylor

Vance Taylor served as a keyboardist with Earth, Wind & Fire from the late 1980s into the early 1990s and also worked as musical director. He was part of the touring and recording lineup during the Touch the World, Heritage, and early Millennium period.

David Lautrec

David Lautrec briefly played keyboards with Earth, Wind & Fire around 1990. His role was primarily in the live lineup rather than as a major studio contributor.

Greg Moore

Greg “G-Mo” Moore joined Earth, Wind & Fire in the early 2000s as a rhythm guitarist and vocalist and remained for more than a decade. He appeared on albums including The Promise (2003), Illumination (2005), and Now, Then & Forever (2013).

Morris Pleasure

Morris Pleasure joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1993 as keyboardist, bassist, and musical director and remained until 2001. He contributed to the In the Name of Love era and later continued a wide-ranging career with artists including Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, and Ray Charles.

Robert Brookins

Robert Brookins joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1998 as keyboardist, vocalist, and musical director and remained through 2004. He contributed to the band’s live lineup and later received production, keyboard, and vocal credits on The Promise (2003). Brookins died in 2009.

Daniel de los Reyes

Daniel de los Reyes joined Earth, Wind & Fire in the early 2000s as percussionist and contributed to The Promise (2003). He later worked extensively with artists including Zac Brown Band, Sting, and Sheryl Crow.

Kimberly Brewer

Kimberly Brewer performed with Earth, Wind & Fire as a background vocalist during the early 2000s. Her touring tenure followed a long association with Stevie Wonder and other major artists.

Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson joined Earth, Wind & Fire as a background vocalist during the mid-2000s and remained for several years. She contributed to the group’s live vocal arrangements during the period following Kimberly Brewer’s tenure.

Krystal Bailey

Krystal Bailey briefly performed with Earth, Wind & Fire as a background vocalist in 2004. Her time with the group was short, but she is included in the documented modern touring lineups.

Gordon Campbell

Gordon Campbell served as Earth, Wind & Fire’s drummer around 1999–2001, bridging the period between Sonny Emory and John Paris. His role was centered on the touring lineup.

Scott Mayo

Scott Mayo performed with Earth, Wind & Fire on saxophone during the modern touring era. He is one of the additional musicians recognized by the band’s official member history for work with the group after 2000.

Bobby Gonzales

Bobby Gonzales played guitar and provided vocals with Earth, Wind & Fire during the early 2000s. He was part of the touring lineup before the later guitar configurations that included Greg Moore, Vadim Zilbershtein, Morris O’Connor, and Serg Dimitrijevic.

Michael “Mike” McKnight

Michael “Mike” McKnight worked with Earth, Wind & Fire as a keyboardist and technical musician during the late 1980s and 1990s. He is included among the additional performers recognized in the band’s official member history.

Ray Brown

Ray Brown played trumpet and flugelhorn with the later Earth, Wind & Fire Horns from the late 1980s into the 2000s. He also contributed trumpet and flugelhorn to recordings including The Promise before Bobby Burns Jr. became part of the current horn lineup.

David Romero

David Romero served as a percussionist with Earth, Wind & Fire through much of the 1990s and into the early 2000s. He helped expand the percussion section during the band’s post-reunion touring era.

Lisa Vaughn

Lisa Vaughn performed as a background vocalist with Earth, Wind & Fire during the modern touring era. She is listed among the additional singers and musicians recognized in the band’s official member history.

Vadim Zilbershtein

Vadim Zilbershtein joined Earth, Wind & Fire as a guitarist during the mid-2000s and remained through 2008. His tenure came during the period that followed The Promise and Illumination and preceded the arrival of Morris O’Connor.

Johnny Graham

Johnny Graham joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1973 as guitarist and percussionist. He played throughout the band’s classic era on albums including That’s the Way of the World, Spirit, All ‘n All, I Am, and the early-1980s releases. His guitar work was a major part of the band’s blend of funk and rock.

Don Myrick

Don Myrick was the saxophonist for the classic Phenix Horns and one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s most recognizable horn players. His saxophone work can be heard throughout the group’s classic period, including the memorable solo on “After the Love Has Gone.” Myrick later worked extensively with Phil Collins and other artists before his death in 1993.

Read More: Top 10 Earth, Wind & Fire Songs

Updated September 12, 2026.