Earth, Wind and Fire
by ERINN CRIDER
Throughout the years, many bands have come and gone, but only a select few
professionally first with Booker T. and then with many stars such as Etta Jones,
stay relevant and popular for many years. Earth Wind and Fire is one of those
Frontella Bass and Billy Stewart. He moved back to Chicago in 1969 and formed
great exceptions. Maurice White started the group in Chicago in 1969 and since
the "Salty Peppers" with his friends Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead. The
then it has reached international fame, and on Oct. 1, the band will perform in
band had marginal success until it moved to L.A. and changed the name to Earth
Fayetteville.
Wind and Fire. White is no longer part
This Earth, Wind and Fire is a unique mix of R&B,
of the band's touring group, but he is
soul, funk, disco, jazz and rock that has allowed them
still highly involved as the composer and
to transcend generations with their universally pleasing
producer.
music and universal message of love. The use of the
This amazing opportunity to see
Klimba, or African Thumb Piano, which appears in all
these music legends is provided to
of their albums also adds an African flare to the music.
the Fayetteville Community through
By mixing so many genres together in their style of
Community Concerts. Community
music Earth, Wind and Fire has appealed to a broader
concerts is a nonprofit organization
spectrum of the listening public than any band has
that is dedicated to bringing "topbefore. Their fusion of pop and R&B has appealed to
notch entertainment to Fayetteville and
listeners of all places in life, and has bridged many of
the Fort Bragg/Cumberland County
the gaps that often occur in music.
Community," which they have done for
Earth, Wind and Fire has received numerous
more than 77 years.
awards over the years, including multiple Grammys,
Earth, Wind and Fire will perform at
Grammy nominations, and American Music Awards.
the Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum
They also broke racial barriers by being the first
Dr., on Oct. 1at 7:30 p.m. The band
African-American performers to receive Madison
will perform songs from its most
Square Garden's Gold Ticket Award, which is given to
recent album Now, Then & Forever.
performers who sell more than 100,000 tickets. These
Tickets are available for purchase via
Earth, Wind and Fire is set to perform at the Crown on Oct., 1.
are but a few examples, there are many other awards
ticketmaster.com or by calling the
for which the band has received or been nominated.
Crown Box Office
They are truly remarkable in the music they create as well as the skill level that it
at 438-4100. For more information, visit www.communitytakes to create it.
concerts.com/2013/06/14/earthAdding to their power as a band is the great individual skills of each musician.
wind-fire/ or www.crowncoliseum.
ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer.
White, the founder began his love of music by singing in the church choir at
com/community-concerts-presentsCOMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com.
the age of 6. This love eventually blossomed into a career, and White worked
earth-wind-and-fire.
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SEPT 25 - OCT 1, 2013
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