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“We have been extremely blessed and fortunate.
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You never know how you are going to do you can’t predict these things, they aren’t predictable,” he said. Verdine White talked to Cryptic Rock about the band’s longevity, and how he’s thankful for the fans who have supported them for so long. Serg Dimitrijevic – rhythm guitar, vocals (2014-present).Morris O’Connor – lead guitar, vocals (2008–present).Philip Doron Bailey – vocals, percussion (2009–present).John Paris – drums, vocals (2001–present).Myron McKinley – keyboards, musical director (2001–present).David Whitworth – percussion, vocals (1996–present) In addition to the core trio of Bailey, White and Johnson, the band’s 2019 lineup includes: Which Members Are Part of the 2019 Lineup? Flemons died of cancer on October 13, 1993. He performed as a songwriter and a vocalist on the band’s first two albums, but he stepped away in 1972. Wade Flemons was a member of Maurice White’s original band, the Salty Peppers, and was one of the first to be asked to join Earth, Wind & Fire in 1969. Roland Bautista played rhythm guitar on the band’s 1972 album Last Days and Time, but he did not return until the 1981 album Raise! He remained with the band through 1983, and played guitar on their classic single “Let’s Groove.” Bautista died on Februat the age of 60. While Maurice White is the only original Earth, Wind & Fire member to have died, there are other members who have passed away over the years. He was also inducted individually into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. White was considered to be the creative center of Earth, Wind & Fire, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Maurice White, the band’s founder and lead singer (along with Bailey), died on February 4, 2016. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the 2000 ceremony, though they quit the band circa 1984. He continues to record and release music.Īndrew Woolfolk and Johnny Graham were the saxophonist and rhythm guitarist of the band, respectively. Al McKay was the band’s lead guitarist during their heyday, but he too stepped down from his role in 1980.
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He is the brother of Verdine White and the half-brother of the band’s founder, Maurice White. He made a special appearance on the band’s 2013 album Now, Then & Forever.įred White was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the band’s percussionist, but he retired in 1984 and remains inactive today. Dunn is still alive today, but he stopped touring with the band in 1983. Larry Dunn was the keyboardist for Earth, Wind & Fire, and one of the members who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. All three have been mainstays with the group since 1972, and were part of the lineup that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of the Fame in 2000. These members include lead singer Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White, and drummer Ralph Johnson. Which Earth, Wind & Fire members are still alive today? Which original members have died? Read on for a rundown of the band’s 2019 lineup.Įarth, Wind & Fire’s current lineup boasts several original members. They are hailed for their singular blend of R&B, pop and disco, and Sunday they will be honored by the Kennedy Center for their contribution to American culture.Įarth, Wind & Fire has been an active band since 1969, so it’s had to contend with lots of personnel changes over the years. Earth, Wind & Fire are one of the revered and commercially successful bands of all time.
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