When I think of Earth, Wind & Fire, aside from the music, what comes to mind is their excellent style. They were always rocking amazing clothes. The story of your adventure into the concert is the best, I'm so glad you guys made it! Thanks for a great essay Dee. you're right this is a great place to put our attention in the coming weeks.
Philip Bailey’s falsetto made the sound along with the distinctive horns. A really great band.
You made reference to Steely Dan. Funny, by the time of Aja, I was pretty much done with them. I was more in tune with “Can’t Buy a Thrill” (“Dirty Work, “Reelin in the years”) and Pretzel Logic (“Rikki Don’t Lose that Number”). In any event, a truly great time for music of all kinds.
Thanks so much, Dee....for the FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE shout-out, the Tune Tag mention, and your wonderful rememberies of one of the greatest bands in the land! In true Tune Tag fashion (happy to take up the challenge!), your list of EWF "graduates" is quite jaw-dropping, and reminds me of the number of '50s and '60s Miles Davis band members who went on to become solo stars themselves!
Your mention of guitarist, Lee Ritenour (who recorded for CBS affiliate, Epic Records for years...he was a corporate labelmate with EWF!), has TWO FR&B connections! Lee played on the '75 sessions for Stephen Michael Schwartz's 2nd RCA Records album (Stephen tells about it all, in his own words, and supplies several never-before-seen, exclusive in-studio photos, including Lee, and Elton John's rhythm section), here: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/musical-storm-the-stephen-michael
The second Ritenour connection with FR&B? One of his solo album's producers is a longtime subscriber to FR&B, I'm proud to say!
As for how EWF got to their CBS hitdom, I can offer a first-hand peek, and an educated guess: Their first 2 albums were on Warner Bros. (both in '71). They signed with CBS in '72, with their 3rd (and first for CBS) released in fall '72, "Last Days and Time."
In 1971, I was 16, and in high school. Most of my readers know, by now, that my dad had been in Houston radio since the '60s, and routinely brought home promo albums from the station (ironically enough, mostly from Warner Bros and Columbia!). He loved jazz, so he gave all the rock to me!
So, I had and heard those 2 Warner Bros. albums! Did I "get" them? Not entirely. But, having been raised on rock, and all over other Warner (or affiliates like Chrysalis, Reprise, Capricorn) artists like Tull, Alice Cooper, James Taylor, Neil Young, Doobies, Joni, et al, EWF had some tough competition on my bedroom turntable!
One thing I can point to is the material on their albums. On the 2 WB LPs (both produced by veteran pro, Joe Wissert), they had 4-, 5-, and 6-minute songs, with few attempts at a single, much less a hit single. Wissert followed them to CBS, and produced the band's first 2 albums for their new label. To accentuate the corporate "problem," their '73 album, "Head to the Sky," had just TWO songs on Side 2, one reaching a whopping 13 minutes!
My guess is this was the last straw for Clive! For their 5th album (and 3rd for CBS) in March '74, they had Maurice White join Wissert in the control room. There HAD to be a meeting stressing the label's desire (read: NEED) for hits! "Mighty Mighty" scored high on the soul charts (as many had previously), but here, they also broke thru to the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Still focusing on Columbia, the pre-Perry Journey released their self-titled debut album a year later, in April '75, with....you guessed it, 4- to 6-minute songs, many of them jazz fusion-like instrumentals! At this time, I was a 20-year-old Music Director at the U of Houston radio station, KUHF, and the regional CBS rep brought the band by the station to promote the album: Aynsley Dunbar, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, and Neil Schon. They presented me with a deed to a star in the heavens (the album was space-themed), and we took a photo together! Sadly, that photo was left at KUHF (who knows if it's still hanging or not!), but here's my story of all that from the mid-'70s: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/behind-the-mic-a-personal-peek-into?utm_source=publication-search
More 5-8 minute long songs followed through their 3rd album in '77. Again (and with Clive gone to begin his Arista Records in '74), CBS wanted some hits. Enter Steve Perry, a legit frontman who could write, the dynamic producer, Roy Thomas Baker, and for their 4th album, '78's "Infinity," only one song (out of 10) that barely touched the 5-minute-mark, and "hello" new formula...one that would break records in the hit department!
The story of two huge bands, two major labels, and how both had to be patient in their growth before the Columbia braintrust found the right combination of approach, with producers, and other personnel to make it all happen! Thanks for the space, Dee! Much appreciated!
Wow! Brad this is unbelievable comment to my essay. I would expect nothing less—hence the Tag! Thank you for filling in some gaps in my knowledge. I appreciate it so much. 🙏
You've GOT to see, then, the baby-faced Lee (with massive 'fro) in Stephen's article! If you're curious, I'll be happy to share with you, "off-camera" (aka DM) the Ritenour producer who subs to FR&B! Also, a decade ago, when I karaoke-d nightly, I routinely did "September," and even won a couple contests with it! A fun as heck song to sing!
A karaoke friend (a gal!) and I used to duet on the 2 Phils' "Easy Lover".....she'd cover the Collins part, and I'd do the Bailey part (I had a strong falsetto game, not gwina lie)!!🎤🎵
If you've never seen The Dee Gees (Dave Grohl's side project where he and his Fighters of the Foo do Bee Gees covers!), check out HIS falsetto! I read an interview with him once where he said that it's so much easier to sing in falsetto than in chest voice, and he's right! Come to Austin, and we'll sing something! I used to also love to sing The Bee Gees' "Tragedy"!
You know, " Maurice", I hated the Disco era but I loved ewf-though I haven't listened to them for years-I hate you a little bit right now for sending me to their Spotify page... And having to add their top 10 songs to my monster playlist, now almost 125 hours, and I'm pretty sure it's going to take all day to get the song " That's The Way of the World" out of my head :)
EWF played at my 1984 Grad Nite @ Disneyland! Still memorable 40 years later
WOW! As someone who graduated in northern Alberta I can't even imagine them playing at your grad at Disneyland!
Awesome 😎
When I think of Earth, Wind & Fire, aside from the music, what comes to mind is their excellent style. They were always rocking amazing clothes. The story of your adventure into the concert is the best, I'm so glad you guys made it! Thanks for a great essay Dee. you're right this is a great place to put our attention in the coming weeks.
Thanks Donna. 🙏
Yes their visual style was amazing as well. What a band 💪🏻🙏😎
Philip Bailey’s falsetto made the sound along with the distinctive horns. A really great band.
You made reference to Steely Dan. Funny, by the time of Aja, I was pretty much done with them. I was more in tune with “Can’t Buy a Thrill” (“Dirty Work, “Reelin in the years”) and Pretzel Logic (“Rikki Don’t Lose that Number”). In any event, a truly great time for music of all kinds.
You and me both my friend. Katy Lied my favorite SD by far.
Thanks so much, Dee....for the FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE shout-out, the Tune Tag mention, and your wonderful rememberies of one of the greatest bands in the land! In true Tune Tag fashion (happy to take up the challenge!), your list of EWF "graduates" is quite jaw-dropping, and reminds me of the number of '50s and '60s Miles Davis band members who went on to become solo stars themselves!
Your mention of guitarist, Lee Ritenour (who recorded for CBS affiliate, Epic Records for years...he was a corporate labelmate with EWF!), has TWO FR&B connections! Lee played on the '75 sessions for Stephen Michael Schwartz's 2nd RCA Records album (Stephen tells about it all, in his own words, and supplies several never-before-seen, exclusive in-studio photos, including Lee, and Elton John's rhythm section), here: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/musical-storm-the-stephen-michael
The second Ritenour connection with FR&B? One of his solo album's producers is a longtime subscriber to FR&B, I'm proud to say!
As for how EWF got to their CBS hitdom, I can offer a first-hand peek, and an educated guess: Their first 2 albums were on Warner Bros. (both in '71). They signed with CBS in '72, with their 3rd (and first for CBS) released in fall '72, "Last Days and Time."
In 1971, I was 16, and in high school. Most of my readers know, by now, that my dad had been in Houston radio since the '60s, and routinely brought home promo albums from the station (ironically enough, mostly from Warner Bros and Columbia!). He loved jazz, so he gave all the rock to me!
So, I had and heard those 2 Warner Bros. albums! Did I "get" them? Not entirely. But, having been raised on rock, and all over other Warner (or affiliates like Chrysalis, Reprise, Capricorn) artists like Tull, Alice Cooper, James Taylor, Neil Young, Doobies, Joni, et al, EWF had some tough competition on my bedroom turntable!
One thing I can point to is the material on their albums. On the 2 WB LPs (both produced by veteran pro, Joe Wissert), they had 4-, 5-, and 6-minute songs, with few attempts at a single, much less a hit single. Wissert followed them to CBS, and produced the band's first 2 albums for their new label. To accentuate the corporate "problem," their '73 album, "Head to the Sky," had just TWO songs on Side 2, one reaching a whopping 13 minutes!
My guess is this was the last straw for Clive! For their 5th album (and 3rd for CBS) in March '74, they had Maurice White join Wissert in the control room. There HAD to be a meeting stressing the label's desire (read: NEED) for hits! "Mighty Mighty" scored high on the soul charts (as many had previously), but here, they also broke thru to the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Still focusing on Columbia, the pre-Perry Journey released their self-titled debut album a year later, in April '75, with....you guessed it, 4- to 6-minute songs, many of them jazz fusion-like instrumentals! At this time, I was a 20-year-old Music Director at the U of Houston radio station, KUHF, and the regional CBS rep brought the band by the station to promote the album: Aynsley Dunbar, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, and Neil Schon. They presented me with a deed to a star in the heavens (the album was space-themed), and we took a photo together! Sadly, that photo was left at KUHF (who knows if it's still hanging or not!), but here's my story of all that from the mid-'70s: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/behind-the-mic-a-personal-peek-into?utm_source=publication-search
More 5-8 minute long songs followed through their 3rd album in '77. Again (and with Clive gone to begin his Arista Records in '74), CBS wanted some hits. Enter Steve Perry, a legit frontman who could write, the dynamic producer, Roy Thomas Baker, and for their 4th album, '78's "Infinity," only one song (out of 10) that barely touched the 5-minute-mark, and "hello" new formula...one that would break records in the hit department!
The story of two huge bands, two major labels, and how both had to be patient in their growth before the Columbia braintrust found the right combination of approach, with producers, and other personnel to make it all happen! Thanks for the space, Dee! Much appreciated!
Wow! Brad this is unbelievable comment to my essay. I would expect nothing less—hence the Tag! Thank you for filling in some gaps in my knowledge. I appreciate it so much. 🙏
I’ve always been a huge fan of Ritenour as well.
You've GOT to see, then, the baby-faced Lee (with massive 'fro) in Stephen's article! If you're curious, I'll be happy to share with you, "off-camera" (aka DM) the Ritenour producer who subs to FR&B! Also, a decade ago, when I karaoke-d nightly, I routinely did "September," and even won a couple contests with it! A fun as heck song to sing!
A karaoke friend (a gal!) and I used to duet on the 2 Phils' "Easy Lover".....she'd cover the Collins part, and I'd do the Bailey part (I had a strong falsetto game, not gwina lie)!!🎤🎵
I once had a strong Falsetto as well my friend. Years and cigars have trimmed it a bit ☺️
If you've never seen The Dee Gees (Dave Grohl's side project where he and his Fighters of the Foo do Bee Gees covers!), check out HIS falsetto! I read an interview with him once where he said that it's so much easier to sing in falsetto than in chest voice, and he's right! Come to Austin, and we'll sing something! I used to also love to sing The Bee Gees' "Tragedy"!
You’re right up the road. I’m in Wimberley. We’ll have to make that happen. 👍
In the '60s, my fambly was known to take a couple vacations in the gorgeous woods of Wimberley! We'd rent a cabin or something! Fun stuff!
Classic, and who doesn't love a horn section.
Great Tribute Dee. My older brother Maurice introduced me to Earth, Wind and Fire
Ha! Very cool. 😎
You know, " Maurice", I hated the Disco era but I loved ewf-though I haven't listened to them for years-I hate you a little bit right now for sending me to their Spotify page... And having to add their top 10 songs to my monster playlist, now almost 125 hours, and I'm pretty sure it's going to take all day to get the song " That's The Way of the World" out of my head :)
Happy to help my friend 😎
Man, you have to love some Earth, Wind, and Fire. Time to get my groove on.
🕺😎
Gratitude.