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

The first album that I bought with my childhood earned money was an Earth Wind & Fire Album: it was Last Days and Times. I have never looked back and I waited as a kid for each album because the very album covers fascinated my intellectual, spiritual and youthful imagination. By the time the album that featured the song Shining Star found its way to the record stores, I had become one of the young walking disciples of the music and lyrical messages of EWF. Frankly, it has been several decades ago, but I recall how I was too young to attend a concert, but old enough to listen to Open your Eyes and feel that Devotion was speaking to me!When I saw my first Earth Wind & Fire live concert, I felt like I knew Maurice White personally; that I was holding the guitar for Verdine White as he was floated in the air; somehow, I was related to Ralph Johnson as he kept that steady beat for each song and background vocal repeats and Phillip Bailey sang notes as high as my mother, so he had to be my cousin. Of course these thoughts were a teenager's fantasies; however, I knew the connection was more than music. As a result of reading "Shining Star" by Phillip Bailey and reflecting on Mr. Bailey's transparent description of the early reconstituted group's show in Philadelphia in the early pages of the book, I had a more significant overstanding of why I always want to attend an EWF concert to include taking my daughter twice in her early years. The book details the origins of one significant member's testimony and report of what makes many of us to remain thirsty for the music and the concert tickets at any age. The relationship of the book to any real fan of "The Concept" is akin to how we should evolve in our view of life under 35, then what the music and its messages mean to our level of maturity as well as sober identity of life lessons after 35. Perhaps, for those of us born in the 1960s, the concerts have greater meaning because the book explains why EWF's Whiz Kids were our big brothers and Maurice was our favorite, cool uncle.Shining Stars, as a book makes it clear why: When I am down and out, I want to hear EWF sing a song! Therefore, I am clear why I typically start each day with an EWF song in my heart or on one of my electronic devices. Moreover, for any of my former students who may have asked: Why does he have us listening to EWF in an education class, the book explains why some of us were born to be members of EWF message club and why for me, other than my father and my uncles, these brothers dropped wisdom that transcended my conscious manhood-it is what Phillip explained in the chapter entitled: "The Concept."The book is a must read because Phillip Bailey shares his life around his arrival to the group through the early years of how Maurice White gave up his own immediate personal comfort, as a successful member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, to give the world the Concept that has become EWF! The book is brilliant, but for those who grew up attracted to the music and metaphysical message of universal hope for humanity's destiny and spiritual awakening for humanity, this book is a MUST READ. "Shining Stars" captures why those of us who are fans of EWF born in the later years of the Baby Boomer generation through our roles as the parents of the Millennial generation of children tried to transfer our love for EWF to our children the way we can imagine that Reese blended musical messages with images to include the mythical bird rising from the earth like the Phenix horns awakened our senses between and through the lyrics of so many songs, and Verdine and Ralph maintained a beat for the blended voices of Maurice and Phillip as we listened, learned and found our place in life.As I read about Charles Stepney, I understand why Spirit Album became my favorite when my father died. I also understand how love truly is life. The book will engage anyone who wants to understand humanity and music but never really had a family relationship with the music of EWF that may have caused so many fans like me to try and purchase every album every year or repurchased different compilations of favorites over the past 40 years. The true EWF followers understand why the book is as important as the music, just as so many of us will declare that our favorite songs were not the popular commercial hits or albums. For example, my favorite album is Faces, but my favorite songs of all time are "That's the Way of the World and seldom heard "Burnin Bush." When you read the book and summarize chapter entitled That's the Way of the World, then the essence of the elements that make us fans of the universalism and interconnectivity to the Concept are REAL!During the past year, I saw EWF twice in concert, and now with the book in mind, I take pride in knowing that the book explains to fans what Phillip Bailey is about beyond his musical talents and why EWF is still sharing the "Concept" through the timeless voice of Mr. Bailey and instrumental and background vocal consistency of Mr. Verdine White and Mr. Ralph Johnson as well as the support of the current band in concert today. "Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire," as a book, illuminates and gives light to the spiritual essence of the men and women who were a part of the development of the music and group but, most significantly, in my review, the men from the core group who have maintained the Concept that the Creator allowed to be born through the genius of Mr. Maurice White---Remember, this book should help all of us reconnect with the shining star within our journey through the universe!Finally, for all of the students and associates that have known and endured my constant recitation of EWF lyrics and infusion into my work the book will give you the epiphany I received when I bought Last Days and Times so many years ago.Moreover, I hope that through reading this book anyone who asks the question of me or others like me in the future, as was often asked throughout my life:"Do you ever listen to anything but EWF and why do you teach and use quotes from EWF, which I do, will say what Mr. Bailey opted in the very first sentence of the chapter of the book- The Concept: It was written in the Prelude:"Looking back and upon reflection, Earth Wind & Fire's premier mission has been to raise people to a higher level of consciousness." Phillip BaileyIf the music has not provided this profound truth to you, then the book will provide the Reasons that EWF is still here! For as long as a child is born with a heart of gold and the ways of this world makes his/her heart turn cold, we are going to need SHINING STARS in every facet of life on this planet!As Phillip stated and I proclaim: "Yes, I am a shining star," he wrote, but I, as he stated, hope to be an instrument through which those who have been party to my work can see God shining through me. This book links us to what Maurice tried to tell us in 1975, "All About Love"--Read the book, then listen to the song, you will find the shining star in you if it has grown dim or, if your light has never been ablaze-Remember, the Children need us all to be Shining Stars! Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire

You know the voice with the 5-octave range; now you can know the man. Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire is a candid confessional that chronicles life within this legendary R&B/Jazz band by current lead singer and Grammy Award winner, Philip Bailey. For over 40 years, EWF’s music has been the backdrop of many events in our lives and a major influence for musicians, so this is a good read for fans and music insiders alike. In a witty and clever way, Bailey’s memoir gives interesting insight into the making of some of the songs we all know and love, many of which stem from personal experiences, relationships and heartbreak. Shining Star examines Bailey’s humble beginnings and early influences such as growing up without a father, the importance of music education in public schools, and the sacrifices he and his family made for his career. He includes the importance of his faith, the rise and fall of fame, going through the trials and tribulations of the ’70s, and the effects of the disco era on the band’s popularity. It also weaves you through their early days of universalism and brotherly love to eventual disharmony and disenchantment over inequitable profit distribution which contributed to the band's break up some 20 years ago. You’ll learn how Bailey’s rise from the ashes navigating through a solo career as a jazz, pop and contemporary Christian artist eventually led to his reinventing EWF into the band we know today.Maria L. Corkern is a writer, educator and author of children’s book Doris TheSaurus, and admittedly a huge EWF/Philip Bailey fan.

This is an aspiring read. At several points in Philip Bailey’s young life, he could have been placed on a different trajectory. He writes in his book, “I started out as a ‘miracle baby.’ First, I could have been aborted. Second, I could have died from early illnesses. Third, based on the circumstances of my upbringing, I could have become a nonachiever – not to be confused with being a lazy underachiever. A nonachiever is a detriment to society instead of a credit to the world (p. 27).”His autobiography is a great read, not only for the behind-the-scenes information regarding E, W & F, but also for the balance of various personal topics. Many music related auto-biographys are salacious and sensualistic or contain minute details of life on the road and gig after gig. This book pulls back the curtain to reveal mature and adult topics such as his homelife and family dynamics, experiences in his early music career, meeting Maurice White, maintaining a work and personal life balance, quests for meaning and spirituality, and contemplating his legacy.Highly recommend this book. Also get Maurice White’s auto-biography, “My Life with Earth, Wind and Fire.” Read them back-to-back for cerebral and spiritual stereo effect!

Talk about the behind the scenes story coming out!!!! Hard to put this one down.....and it was done with love and a lot of class.

Philip Bailey is a very nice guy, and that probably prevents him from presenting all the details of the history of Earth, Wind & Fire. The book is a nice read, but Phil's writing style is a bit boring. After reading it, I still had appetite to know more. Both in how EW&F was managed, as in how its musical style developed over the years. Not a bad read, but not a great read either.

By concentrating on the pre-history and early years of EWF this biography captures the most creative phase of their story. Philip Bailey does well to present a frank and balanced account that includes the cultural background, musical influences, creative process, spiritual mission, business dealings and internal tensions of EWF. It becomes clearer that Philip was well placed to tell this story due to his role as an insider to Maurice White’s ‘concept’ of pantheistic universal positivism, but also as an outside party to White’s concealed business dealings with Columbia executives.The book falls into 3 sections. The first part up to page 76 covers Philip’s childhood and early music career in Denver. Maurice White’s early career as a session drummer and member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio is recounted. Next follows the story of EWF version one in Chicago and how the band walked out on Maurice due to his dictatorial leadership. The key role of Perry Jones in recommending Philip to Maurice at this juncture in 1972 is explained. Bailey also captures the freewheeling, bohemian mood and lifestyle of the time (1968-72) in which influences of the hippy movement mingled with the black music of the day. On the business side Robert Cavallo and his partner Joe Ruffalo were instrumental in securing a contract with Columbia. Warner Brothers were persuaded by Cavallo to release EWF from their contract, before they discovered that the line up had changed. Also, unbeknown to the other band members the CBS company men advised Maurice White to keep all the production and publishing rights to himself.Bailey is clear that EWF was a ‘commercial fusion group’ and not a funk band. He also mentions the influence of the Latin American music of Sergio Mendes and Santana. He recounts EWF being blown off the stage by Funkadelic in 1973 and then gives due credit to Charles Stepney for tightening up the band’s chops. Stepney was one of the few people to whom Maurice White would give way to. Beginning on the Open Our Eyes LP of 1974 Stepney played a crucial role as engineer, arranger, producer and player of the Moog synthesiser. Maurice White did not credit or properly remunerate Stepney for his vital role in honing the best EWF LPs until after his death in 1976. Other aspects of the creative process are also described including collaboration of Philip and Maurice in layering diverse versions of their vocal parts through overdubbing and the contribution of Larry Dunn to the chords used.Bailey recalls the All n’ all LP (1977) as the most challenging to make. With a string of multiplatinum LPs and sell out global tours EWF seemed to be on a roll in the years 1976-81, but as Bailey notes the pressures of stardom and over-extravagant stage shows eroded the band’s cohesion. By the time of the I Am LP (1979) Maurice White was bringing in white writers and producers and the band became reduced to mere session musicians. The record sales of EWF declined in the 80s leading White to disband the group suddenly in 1983. Bailey enjoyed sporadic success in his 1980s solo career, and recalls putting on weight after too many beers and currys while recording with Phil Collins in England. In the 1990s EWF rebuilt their global following from the grass roots level by playing at smaller venues to new audiences who had heard them on smooth jazz and classic oldies radio channels. Bailey now became the co-leader with Verdine White.As well as the music the book gives a frank account of Philip’s difficult childhood, the good times and low points of his enduring relationship with his first wife Janet and the romantic temptations of life on the road. In the late 70s several members of EWF including Philip became practising Christians, partly to cope with the pressures and stresses of touring and celebrity.

I have been a Philip Bailey and EWF fan for many years. “Shining Star" is an amazing memoir by a talented musician. I enjoyed this book. It is touching, inspiring and enlightening. An interesting tale, well told and quite enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

I am not finished yet but I am enjoying the read a lot. It's nice to learn about people I've only known through their music.