Shining Star by Earth, Wind & Fire

2/6/2016     There will probably end up being lots of Earth, Wind & Fire tunes on S.O.D., but for this entry we will concentrate on the group's founder and leader, Maurice White.  White passed on to Music Heaven February 3 or 4 from complications of Parkinson's disease.  He was an unstoppable force in music, writing, producing, arranging and playing.  His main instruments were the drums, kalimba and vocals.

     In his early 20s he was a session drummer for Chess Records and worked with musicians such as Muddy Waters, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Etta James and the Impressions.  In 1966 he became the drummer for the Ramsey Lewis Trio, being a part of 9 of their albums.  He left the Trio in 1969 (that's 9 albums in 3 years) to join  his friends Don Whitehead and Wade Flemons in Chicago to write songs for commercials for Capitol Records.  It was during this time that White decided to move to Los Angeles and change the band name to Earth, Wind & Fire which had to do with the elements of his astrological chart as a Sagittarius. 

     This was definitely "his baby" as he produced many of the group's albums and led them to Hall of Fame inductions and several awards.  He has been an innovator and inspiration in the music world.  Among his awards and accolades was a Cultural Achievement Award Of Excellence in 2005 presented by Los Angeles Valley College.  White was the first recipient of this award.

     White had a hand in this tune's composition.  Come on, look him up guys and play some EWF today!!