We continue our look at the music of 50 years ago….
Maurice White was a session drummer for Chess Records in Chicago in 1969 when he and two friends started a band called the “Salty Peppers”. It had a moderate hit single in the Midwest before White decamped to LA. He put together a band that included his brother Verdine with a vision to expand the boundaries of soul, funk, pop and jazz. You could say he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams…or maybe not. White was a force of nature and despite many changes in band personnel over the years, Earth, Wind & Fire became one of the most successful and groundbreaking groups in music history. 1971 was a busy year for the group…they not only released their first two LP’s including the debut record pictured above, they also recorded the soundtrack for the film “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Song” from director Mario Van Peebles.
The debut album, simply called “Earth Wind & Fire” was elemental. It was a band experimenting with what they could do. Critic Bob Talbert wrote “I’m not sure what to call this group. Afro-gospel-jazz-blues-rock”? Noted critic Lester Bangs said they had a “heavy Sly influence with harmonies from ‘The Fifth Dimension”.
What ever you want to call this it show’s what the band would later become. There is no “Shining Star” or ‘September” here but check out “Help Somebody” or ‘Fan The Fire”. They cook!
Maurice White is no longer with us. He died in 2016 after suffering the effects of Parkinson’s Disease for years. He leaves behind a legacy of some of the greatest pop music in history…and this is where it began.
Comments