Earth, Wind & Fire

Nothing beats the original as often stated. With that consideration, Filipino music fans are in for a big treat come next month as the real people behind the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire comes to Manila for a live show that is sure to be no less than spectacular.

The one-night affair strikingly titled “The Original Earth, Wind & Fire Live in Manila” happens on Dec. 5, 8 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Reception Hall in Pasay City. Organizers of the highly anticipated concert uses the operative word “original” to essentially address that bit of confusion among EWF fans who were introduced to a separate act carrying the music and name of the group but not the real faces behind it.

Produced by Lifestyle 7 and Offshore Production, the upcoming live extravaganza promises to offer the definitive repertoire and performance of a group who “single-handedly introduced sophisticated funk and African folk rhythms to American popular culture.”

Arguably the world’s best show band ever, EWF is best known for their hits “Reasons,” “Fantasy,” “September,” “Sing A Song,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “After the Love Has Gone,” and “Let’s Groove.” These hits, among others, have become favorite covers for performers, given their generally danceable grooves and high-recall melodies.

EWF is an African-American R&B band formed in Chicago in 1969 by Marurice White, a member of then Ramsey Lewis Trio. His tenor voice that contrasts the falsetto of Philip Bailey is said to be the key interplay that gave the group’s its distinct sound. Bailey did a duet with Phil Collins for the latter’s hit “Easy Lover.”

In the early 70s, other original members of the group include singer Sherry Scott, percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, White’s brother Verdine, Donny Hathaway, guitarist Michael Beale, Chester Washington, trumpet player Leslie Drayton, trombonist Alex Thomas, and White’s longtime musicmate Wade Flemons. White took the name based on his astrological sign Sagittarius having a primary elemental quality of Fire and seasonal qualities of Earth and Air.

EWF won 10 Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. The group had been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, having sold over 90 million albums worldwide. The staggering sales easily pull them up to rank as the “seventh best selling American band of all time.”

“The Original Earth, Wind & Fire Live in Manila” tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets. Ticket Prices are as follows: VIP (P8,000), Patron (P6,000) and Balcony (P2,500). Visit www.ticketworld.com.ph for further details.