Book Read Free

Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire

Page 24

by Bailey, Philip


  With Janet in Colorado in 1974.

  Sharing a duet with Jessica Cleaves, who joined EWF as a vocalist in 1972 after leaving the Friends of Distinction.

  With my childhood friend Henry Colbath during an Earth, Wind & Fire concert in Hawaii, just before the birth of my daughter Trinity.

  With Maurice White in 1975, singing “Keep Your Head to the Sky.”

  In 1975 EWF toured Europe with Santana to promote That’s the Way of the World. In London, from left to right: Larry Dunn, Verdine White (far back), me, Ralph Johnson, a musician from Santana, Don Myrick, Ndugo Chandler, Al McKay, Andrew Woolfolk, Michael Harris, and Lou Saterfield.

  With Andrew Woolfolk, a versatile horn player with whom I worked early in my career in Denver, and who later joined EWF on saxophone, in 1975.

  Al, Verdine, Andrew, Ralph, and one of Santana’s players during the 1975 European summer tour.

  On tour with EWF’s keyboardist Larry Dunn, another old friend from my Denver days.

  Freddy White (left), Ralph Johnson (center), and me (right) posing during a Latin Percussion photo shoot.

  In Hawaii in 1975—Chico Woolfolk, Andrew Woolfolk, Larry Dunn, me, Carl Carwell, Al McKay, and Johnny Graham.

  Me, Larry Dunn, Freddy White, and Al McKay during a sound check in Hawaii.

  Backstage the gang gets ready to play—Al McKay, Ralph Johnson, Andrew Woolfolk, and Larry Dunn.

  EWF toured America almost nonstop during the late 1970s. Al McKay, Maurice White, and Andrew Woolfolk on the tour bus that took us across the country.

  In Honolulu in 1980 with Janet and our kids: Sir, Trinity, and Creed.

  INDEX

  The page numbers in this index refer to the printed version of this book. The link provided will take you to the beginning of that print page. You may need to scroll forward from that location to find the corresponding reference on your e-reader.

  ABBA, 185

  Adams, Verdine, Sr., 50, 51, 56, 57–58, 177

  Adderly, Cannonball, 91

  African Americans

  Denver communities of, 13–14

  migration of, 12–13

  “After the Love Is Gone,” 187–89, 191, 212, 221, 229

  “A Gift of Song” (UNICEF benefit), 184–85

  Airplay, 187

  Ali, Muhammad, 60

  “All About Love,” 140

  All ‘N All (album), 152, 153, 177–80, 186

  American Natural Foods, 86

  Anheuser Busch, 218

  Another Voyage (album), 53

  ARC Records, 183–84

  arena tours, 169–73

  Arista Records, 131

  Arnold, Larkin, 215

  Ashford, Bill, 74–75

  Atlantic Records, 47–48, 49

  Azoff, Irving, 223

  Azteca, 113, 114

  Baby Huey and the Babysitters, 45, 57

  Bacharach, Burt, 84, 126, 220

  Bailey, Beverly, 10, 15, 16–17, 21, 27

  Bailey, Creed Ellington, 167, 225

  Bailey, Edward Alverna, 11, 12, 14–15, 38, 176–77

  Bailey, Jaleel Mikale, 229, 230, 231

  Bailey, Jaylen Christopher, 229, 230

  Bailey, Philip Doron, 167, 223, 225, 233

  Bailey, Philip James. See also Earth, Wind & Fire

  as absentee father and husband, 166–69

  arrogance and, 26–27

  awards and accolades, 227–28

  birth of, 10–11

  car accident involving, 41–42

  childhood of, 11–12, 14–28

  Chinese Wall sessions and album, 211–12, 213, 215

  Christianity/relationship with God and, 153–61, 234–35

  Continuation, 208

  counterculture era and, 39–42

  disbanding of EWF and, 204–8

  drug use and, 40–41

  early professional life of, 29–33

  first marriage of, 36–42

  first meets Maurice and Verdine White, 65–66

  first son born, 73

  Friends & Love and, 39, 44, 45–46, 56, 65, 66–67

  growing up fatherless and, 27–28, 33

  illnesses of, 11–12

  Inside Out sessions and album, 213

  inspiration for “Shining Star,” 132, 137

  joins Earth, Wind & Fire, 1–2, 78–79

  Jupiter incident, 152–53

  KIFM gig with Benoit/Freeman, 221–22

  mother’s passing away, 160–61

  moves to L.A., 67–68

  musical education of, 22–24

  musical influences of, 21–22, 30, 32

  Music Is Unity nonprofit, creation of, 232

  Perry Jones and, 43–46

  reconciles with father, 176–77

  second marriage of, 229

  sports and, 24–25

  stays with Perry in L.A., 69–74

  Stovall sisters gig, 72–74

  teen sexuality of, 33–35

  womanizing of, 149–51

  Wonders of Love, 208–9

  Bailey, Pili Asabi Foluke Titilayo, 168–69, 230, 231

  Bailey, Sir James, 73, 78, 89, 135, 148, 166–67, 196

  Bailey, Trinity Donet, 146, 148, 166–67, 168, 225, 232

  “Ball of Confusion,” 32

  Barrett, T. L., 154–55, 156, 157, 161

  Bass, Fontella, 52

  Bautista, Roland, 2, 83, 85, 109, 115, 149, 201

  BBC (Brown, Bloch and Coby), 60, 61, 95–96

  Beal, Michael, 59, 81, 83

  Beck, Jeff, 213

  Bee Gees, 180–81, 182, 183, 185

  “Be Ever Wonderful,” 180

  Benoit, David, 221

  The Benoit/Freeman Project (album), 221

  Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 (album), 183

  BET (Black Entertainment Television), 201

  Big Brother and the Holding Company, 101

  Bishop, Jimmy, 64

  Bitches Brew (album), 48, 109

  Black Panther Party, 62

  Blaine, Hal, 93

  blaxploitation, 91–92

  Bloch, Paul, 60

  Blood, Sweat & Tears, 32, 101

  Blue (album), 69

  Bobo, Willie, 77

  Bono, Sonny, 93

  “Boogie Wonderland,” 191–92

  Booker, Walter, 91

  The Boys, 220

  Brasil ’66, 84

  Bread, 108, 126

  Brown, James, 83

  Brown, Jim, 48, 59–61, 95–96

  Bruderlin, Brian, 62

  Buckman, Philip, 22

  Budfest shows, 218

  Cadet, 51, 53, 56

  California Jam, 146

  Callier, Terry, 125

  Cameo, 108

  “Can’t Hide Love,” 164, 218

  Captain & Tennille, 55

  Caribou Ranch, 129, 133, 135

  Carne, Doug, 63

  Carne, Jean, 63

  Carwell, Carl, 39, 78

  Cavallo, Robert, 94–106, 111, 122, 135, 137–38, 142, 165, 170, 173, 181, 182, 192, 202–3, 222–23. See also Cavallo-Ruffalo

  arranges Columbia auditions and signing of EWF, 100–6

  asks Brown to release EWF, 95–96

  EWF audition for, 97–98

  gets Warner to release EWF, 99–100

  as manager of Lovin’ Spoonful, 94–95

  signs EWF, 99

  Cavallo-Ruffalo, 99, 100, 105, 111, 131, 166, 179, 182–83, 202–3, 206–7, 208, 210

  CBS, 183

  CBS Convention gig, 113–14

  Cellar Door, 94

  Chambers Brothers, 101

&
nbsp; Champlin, Bill, 187

  “The Champ,” 31

  Chandler, Gene, 30

  Charles, Ray, 88

  Chess, Leonard, 51

  Chess, Philip, 51

  Chess Records, 44, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57

  Chess Studios, 51

  Chicago Transit Authority, 32, 101, 231

  “Children of the Ghetto,” 211

  Childs, Carole, 187–88

  Chinese Wall (album), 211–12, 213, 215

  Chopra, Deepak, 207

  choreography, 172, 180

  Christianity, 153–61

  Clapton, Eric, 211, 227

  Cleaves, Jessica, 2, 82–83, 110, 116, 119

  Clinton, Bill, 228

  Clinton, George, 108

  “Cloud Nine,” 39–40

  Cobham, Billy, 108

  Coby, Richard, 60

  Cohen, Leonard, 228

  Colette, Martine, 147–48

  Collins, Bootsy, 108

  Collins, Phil, 204, 210–11, 213, 216, 228

  Columbia Records, 2, 3, 100–6, 113–14, 130, 131, 139, 165, 166, 182, 183, 197, 208, 214

  Combs, Robert James, 18–19, 21

  comeback tour, 217–19

  Come to My Garden (album), 125

  Complex, 184

  Concept, 51

  “Concept,” of EWF, 1–7, 96, 98, 165, 166, 206, 226

  congas, 134–35

  Continuation (album), 208

  Copperfield, David, 170, 171

  Cosby, Bill, 116

  costumes, 4, 90, 147–48, 172–73, 180

  counterculture era, 39–42

  Crane, Peggy, 12

  Creative Arts Agency (CAA), 222, 223

  Crocker, Frankie, 64, 131

  Crosby, Stills & Nash, 45

  Crossland, Elizabeth, 9–12, 14–19, 25–28, 33, 160–61

  Crossland, James, 9–10, 17

  Crossland, Lilmon, 9, 10

  CTI Records, 23

  Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, 31

  Da Costa, Paulinho, 196

  David, Hal, 84, 126

  Davis, Barbara, 12

  Davis, Clive, 100–6, 130, 131

  Davis, Marvin, 12

  Davis, Miles, 48, 101, 109

  Davis, Mr., 25

  Davis, Rahmlee Michael, 149

  Deele and the Time, 218

  DeJohnette, Jack, 52

  Del Barrio, Eddie, 197

  The Dells, 52, 126

  Denver, John, 40

  DeShannon, Jackie, 228

  “Devotion,” 127, 129, 150, 160, 190

  “Dew Drop Inn,” 70

  “Diana,” 159

  disbanding, of EWF, 204–8

  “Domino,” 71

  Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert (TV show), 172

  Douglas, Steve, 93

  Dow, Harold, 70

  “Do You Believe in Magic,” 94, 95

  Dr. Daddy-O, 65, 66

  Dragon, Carmen, 55

  Dragon, Darryl, 55

  Drayton, Leslie, 59

  drug use, 40–41, 87–89

  “Drum Song,” 129

  Duke, George, 208, 213

  Dunn, Debbie, 89, 178

  Dunn, Larry, 2, 30–32, 37, 39, 44, 65, 79–80, 85, 89, 93, 125, 143–44, 146, 147, 150, 154, 157, 169, 174, 180, 184, 196, 198, 199, 216

  Dupree, Cornell, 133–34

  Dylan, Bob, 95

  Dynamics, 30

  Dyson, Steve, 25

  Earth, Wind & Fire

  All ‘N All record and tour, 152, 153, 177–80, 186

  arena tours and extravagant shows of, 169–73

  audition for Davis, 101–2

  awards and accolades, 227–28

  Bailey joins, 1–2, 78–79

  Bailey’s leadership of, 224–26

  Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1, 183

  Brown as manager of, 59–61

  at California Jam, 146

  Cavallo and Ruffalo become mangers of, 95–99

  CBS Convention gig, 113–14

  Chicago, tours with, 231

  choreography and, 172, 180

  collaborative nature of, 89–91

  “Concept” of, 1–7, 96, 98, 165, 166, 206, 226

  core audience, shift in, 164–65

  disbanding of, 204–8

  drums and percussion of, 134–35

  Dunn joins, 79–80

  early touring days of, 2–3, 107–8, 112–13

  Earth, Wind & Fire, 1, 61

  Electric Universe, 203, 204

  Faces sessions and record, 195–97, 200

  financial inequality between band members and Maurice, 198, 201–2

  Foster and, 186–93

  Graham joins, 117

  Grammy awards, 142, 185, 204

  Gratitude, 163–65

  Head to the Sky, 118–19

  Heritage, 220

  I Am sessions and record, 189–93, 196

  Jones and, 63–65, 74–75, 110–12, 165

  Last Days and Time, 2, 105, 109, 114

  lineup changes after third album, 115–19

  magic tricks in shows of, 170–71

  McKay fired, 198–200

  McKay joins, 115–17

  Millenium, 220

  NAACP criticisms of, 194–95

  natural, holistic philosophical approach of, 86–89

  The Need of Love, 1, 62–63, 74, 75, 82

  Now, Then & Forever, 232–33

  opening for John Sebastian, 103–5

  Open Our Eyes, 124, 127–31, 145

  orchestras, performances with, 231–32

  original lineup, 59–63, 75–76

  Phenix horns and, 148–49, 163–64, 178

  Powerlight, 203, 204

  President Obama, performance for, 233–34

  Raise!, 201, 204

  reconfiguration of, after original lineup leaves, 78–83

  reunion of, and comeback world tour, 215–19

  Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, 227

  second comeback, and tour without Maurice, 222–24

  Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band project and, 180–82

  signs with Columbia Records, 2, 100–6

  songwriting process, 135–36

  Spirit, 173–75

  spirituality, conflicts over, 158–60

  stage clothes of, 4, 90, 147–48, 172–73, 180

  station wagon tours, 119–23

  Stepney and, 124–29, 143–44

  Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song soundtrack, 61–62, 91–92

  television exposure, lack of, 171–72

  That’s the Way of the World, 135, 139–44, 145, 156, 164, 196

  UNICEF benefit appearance of, 184–85

  universalism of, 5, 87–88, 96, 140, 153, 158

  upstaged by Parliament Funkadelic, 122–23

  Uptown Theatre gig, 1972, 3–7, 113

  vocal sound of, 84–85, 108–10, 178

  Warner Brothers and, 1, 48, 49, 61, 100

  White forms, 59

  Woolfolk joins, 115

  Earth, Wind & Fire (first album), 1, 61

  Earth, Wind & Fire Horns, 223

  East, Nathan, 208, 211

  “Easy Lover,” 211–12, 213, 228

  Echoes of Youth, 29

  Electric Black, 39

  Electric Larry, 74–75

  Electric Universe (album), 203, 204

  Elektra Records, 47–48

  Ellington, Duke, 21

  Emery, Sonny, 216

  The Emotions, 192

  “Energy,” 62–63
/>
  Equinox (album), 84

  Eric Burdon & War, 44–45

  Ertegun, Ahmet, 49

  Escovedo, Coke, 113

  Escovedo, Pete, 113

  Everett, Betty, 52

  “Evil,” 118

  “Evil Roy,” 216

  “Evolution Orange,” 201

  Faces (album), 195–97, 200

  Faison, George, 172, 180

  “Family Affair,” 2

  “Fantasy,” 178, 197

  Fargnoli, Steve, 202

  Fey, Barry, 43, 165

  Fifty-Yard Line, 38

  fight-or-flight-response, 207

  Fitzgerald, Ella, 21

  Five Points neighborhood, 13

  Flemons, Wade, 56, 59

  Ford, Winston, 30, 39

  Foster, David Walter, 186–93, 195, 196, 201, 228

  Fourplay, 211

  Frasco, Jeff, 222

  “Freedom Blues,” 70

  Freedom Means (album), 126

  Freeman, Russ, 221

  Friends & Love, 39, 44, 45–46, 56, 65, 66–67, 80

  Friends of Distinction, 2, 60, 82

  Frontline Management, 223

  Full Force, 213

  “Full Measure,” 95

  Funkadelic, 44

  Funk Brothers, 93

  Fuqua, Harvey, 3

  Gamble, Kenny, 126

  Gates, David, 4

  Gaye, Marvin, 92, 133

  Genesis, 204, 210

  George, Lowell, 94, 134, 135

  “Getaway,” 173

  “The Ghetto,” 133

  Gibb, Barry, 183

  Gibb, Maurice, 183

  Gibb, Robin, 183

  “Go,” 211

  Goodman, Linda, 153

  Gordy, Berry, 93

  Gore, Al, 233

  “Got to Be Real,” 187

  “Got to Get You into My Life,” 181–82, 183, 185, 186

  Graham, Johnny, 115, 116, 117, 184

  Grammy awards, 142, 185, 204

  Grand Funk Railroad, 32

  Grant, Amy, 209

  Gratitude (album), 163–65

  Graydon, Jay, 187

  “Grazing in the Grass,” 31

  Green, Al, 2

  Greenbaum, Norman, 72

  Grey, Louis, 195

  Guercio, James William, 129

  “Guiding Lights,” 233

  Guy, Buddy, 52

  Hammer, MC, 214–15, 220

  Hampton, Lionel, 21

  Hancock, Herbie, 48

  “Happy Feelings,” 141

 

‹ Prev