LIVE Magazine #270 May 10, 2018

LIVE Magazine
By: Dustin Fitzharris
It would be hard to find a band in the
world that has been as celebrated as
Earth, Wind & Fire. For nearly 50
years, their music has become part of
the tapestry of our lives. With over 100
million albums sold and an impressive
nine Grammy Awards, Earth, Wind &
Fire’s legacy is firmly cemented in pop
culture history.
But make no mistake, the band is not
relying on their past. All over the world
their concerts continue to thrill sold-out
audiences. When Earth, Wind & Fire
takes the stage, it’s more than a show
-- it’s an event.
This May, Earth, Wind & Fire will bring
their show to The Venetian Theatre in Las
Vegas for six intimate shows that they
promise will be a dazzling and vibrant
spectacle of timeless music.
“The production of our show in Las
Vegas is not to be missed,” says Verdine
White, a founding member of Earth,
Wind & Fire. “We’re going to take the
audience on magical and inspiring journey.
We have a lot of energy to share.”
Since Earth, Wind & Fire formed in
Chicago in 1969, they have built a hit
catalog that includes eight number ones.
Given the wealth of familiar material
to choose from, it’s not a gamble that
the audiences in Vegas will be singing
along all night. From “Let’s Groove” to
“After the Love is Gone” to “September,”
Earth, Wind & Fire has consistently
made music that bridges the gap among
ages, races and cultures.
After all of these years, White says he
never tires of performing the songs that
have earned a place people’s hearts.
“I play them as if they’re the first time
I’ve played them. And I love the music
and I respect the music,” says White.
White’s bass guitar is the heartbeat of
Earth, Wind & Fire. He started playing
the instrument even before he was a
teenager. He says he was in his orchestra
class and saw the bass in the
corner and it just spoke to him. Together
they became a match made in musical
heaven.
No surprise his older brother, the late
Maurice White, asked him to join the
band. With so many musical influences
that range from Miles Davis to the
Beatles, Earth, Wind & Fire’s sound has
always defied categorization. Today
a whole new generation of artists
including Beyoncé and Chance the
Rapper have declared themselves fans
and have been inspired by the band’s
artistry.
“People thank us for just being who we
are,” White says. “All the music we’ve
made, the shows, making people feel
good - those are big moments in everybody’s
lives. And it’s very meaningful
to hear those kinds of comments. That’s
why we do what we do.”
With so much to give, Earth, Wind &
Fire shows no signs of stopping. Their
concerts in Las Vegas will surely be a
love letter to their fans.
Earth, Wind & Fire - The Venetian Theatre,
May 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12
www.tinyurl.com/y95hqkqs