At “A GRAMMY Salute To Earth, Wind & Fire,” Stevie Wonder, The L.A. Phil & A Capacity Crowd Groove Together

The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles looked particularly iconic in July of this year, when legendary supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire took the stage during three consecutive nights for the taping of the CBS television special "A GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September." 

Over more than five decades, six GRAMMY Awards and 18 nominations, a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, and two GRAMMY Hall of Fame-inducted recordings, the Chicago-born group remains a cultural institution of R&B, disco, and funk. There are multiple original members still in its fold — bassist Verdine White and percussionist Ralph Johnson, singer Philip Bailey Sr. (his son, Philip Bailey Jr., also performed with the group). The band’s founder and original mastermind, Maurice White, died in 2016.

Beginning with a fiery rendition of their 1975 mega-hit "Shining Star," EWF's "A GRAMMY Salute" delighted the capacity crowd with a no-frills set spanning five decades of smash singles, augmented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The special alternates the concert footage with additional performances by A-list stars whose musical identity was touched by the group.

 "A GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live" is available to stream on CBS and Paramount+. Read on for five takeaways from a joyous night.

Their Catalogue Of Hits Is Truly Timeless

The band’s carefully woven fusion of funk, soul and pop stylings is built on such graceful, evergreen sonic elements that even the classic anthems from the mid ’70s sounded fresh at the Bowl. 

EWF's songs will never go out of style. From the silky propulsion of "Fantasy" — from 1977’s thrice platinum All’n’All, and nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best R&B Song Category — ti the progressive tendencies of "Shining Star,"anchored by a wicked falsetto, jagged guitars and a proto-disco chorus to die for.

Their Sound Combines Tradition And Futurism

By the time Earth, Wind & Fire released its self-titled debut in March of 1971, Black musicians in the U.S. had already created a visionary body of work. EWF looked to the sophisticated gravitas of Motown favorites like the Supremes and the Temptations, the Memphis grit of such Stax stars as Otis Redding and William Bell, and the indestructible funk of James Brown. 

Earth, Wind & Fire built on the milestones of all those artists, but employed a more cosmopolitan lens to create an expanded, unique aesthetic. The choices of cover songs on their first few albums reveal a band enamored with all kinds of music (see their 1972 version of Bread’s "Make It With You" to a 13 minute-long psychedelic jazz take on "Zanzibar," by Brazilian genius Edu Lobo). In 1978, EWF released a swinging rendition of the Beatles’ "Got to Get You Into My Life"—which was included in the Bowl concert to much fanfare.

They Also Have Some Powerful Friends

"I remember listening to this song with my family," singer/songwriter Janelle Monáe told the audience during one of the special’s most poignant moments. "I didn’t really understand the words, but I remember how it made me feel. And the more I understood the ways of the world, the more I understood the brilliance in you, Earth, Wind & Fire." 

Monáe was referring to the funky slow burn of "That’s the Way of the World," the title track of the band’s 1975 LP, and she placed her gorgeous vocalizing at the service of a full band performance.

She was not alone in wanting to pay tribute to the band. In separate segments, Stevie Wonder reminisced about sharing the stage with the group, and performed "September" on the piano. "Feel the chords in your spirit — the way that harmony has a spiritual resonance with humanity," exclaimed Jon Batiste as he launched into an emotionally charged "Can’t Hide Love." Finally, the Jonas Brothers recalled their father playing Earth, Wind & Fire to them when they were growing up — a nostalgic tint that colored their version of "Shining Star." 

...And Some Of The Best Fans In The World

Before the show, many people shared their personal Earth, Wind & Fire memories. One couple that sheepishly admitted this was their 108th time seeing the band. "I don’t think I discovered them – I think they discovered me," enthused a female fan. 

Onstage, Philip Bailey Sr. referenced the special connection that united the group with the crowd. "How many true fans do we have out there tonight?," he asked with a smile. "True fans don’t mind hearing songs that weren’t necessarily Top 10s in the charts — but they were Top 10s in their hearts."

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Added An Extra Layer Of Mystique

Celebrated by fans and fellow musicians for their complex harmonic content and refined arrangements, Earth, Wind & Fire songs go to great lengths to balance the thumping sound of the bass, layers of vocal harmonies and the brass section. This sumptuous mosaic was enhanced by the presence of the L.A. Phil under the baton of Thomas Wilkins — principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. 

The string section added a sumptuous layer to "Rock That!," a kinetic instrumental off the 1979 album I Am, while the brass section enriched the band’s own take on "That’s the Way of the World." Towards the end of the show, a lush orchestral interlude created a lovely contrast between the textures of the harp and a towering electric bass.