EARTH, WIND & FIRE at Palais Theatre

One of pop's most undersung musical heroes, whose cross-pollination of funk, jazz and disco quietly infl This coming April, Chugg Entertainment and Bluesfest Touring are please to confirm that the east coast of Australia will transform into a boogie wonderland when soul and R&B heroes, Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) return to Australia.Whilst EWF blazed the trail during the disco movement, it is impossible to limit their genre-bending musical vision to just this one word. With a foundation in funk, they also incorporated jazz, smooth soul, gospel, pop, rock & roll, psychedelia, blues, folk, African music and eventually a dip into disco. More than just versatility for its own sake, EWF's eclecticism was part of a broader concept informed by a cosmic, mystical spirituality and an uplifting positivity the likes of which hadn't been seen since the early days of Sly & the Family Stone. Tying it all together was the accomplished songwriting of Maurice White, whose intricate, unpredictable arrangements and firm grasp of hooks and structure made EWF one of the tightest bands in funk when they wanted to be. Beginning as a songwriting team named The Salty Peppers in Chicago, Illinois in 1969 by brothers Verdine and Maurice White, the band quickly evolved; Maurice’s astrological sign, Sagittarius, has a primary elemental quality of Fire and seasonal qualities of Earth and Air. Based on this, and following a move to Los Angeles, he changed the band’s name to Earth, Wind & Fire and added guitars, reeds, a horn section, piano and more vocals, completing the then ten-man lineup. Through several lineups changes over the decades and a string of hits and accolades, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, as well as being inducted into both the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. Rolling Stone has described them as “innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing,” and has also declared that they “changed the sound of black pop.” Furthering their industry praise, less than two weeks ago EWF were honoured with a tribute at the Soul Train Awards in Atlanta, alongside late rapper Heavy D and Gladys Knight. Their welcome return to Australian shores is certain to be a great party – don’t miss out.