Earth, Wind & Fire Members, Then and Now: See How the Iconic Band’s Stars Have Changed Since the Group Was Founded in 1969

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Earth, Wind & Fire was founded by Maurice White successful 1969
White recruited musicians for illustration Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson to subordinate nan band
The set is nan taxable of CBS' typical 'A Grammy Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September'

From funky horns to dazzling creation moves, Earth, Wind & Fire has reinvented its lineup of musicians since 1969 — yet nan band’s irresistible power ne'er skips a beat.

Earth, Wind & Fire was founded by Maurice White successful Chicago. Drawing connected his acquisition arsenic a convention musician, White envisioned a group that could blend R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco and African-inspired rhythms into a unique, uplifting sound.

He spent respective years cautiously assembling talented musicians who shared his vision. Over time, this process led to nan statement of Earth, Wind & Fire’s main lineup, which included Maurice, his brothers Verdine White and Fred White, positive Ralph Johnson, Johnny Graham, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Andrew Woolfolk and Philip Bailey. Their euphony has earned them six Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame successful 2000, cementing their spot successful euphony history.

Over nan decades, Earth, Wind & Fire’s rank has evolved. Some founding members, for illustration White — who died successful February 2016 of Parkinson's illness astatine property 74 — stepped backmost from touring aliases signaling owed to wellness issues, while others pursued solo projects aliases different philharmonic opportunities. The set is nan taxable of CBS' typical A Grammy Salute To Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September.

See nan members of Earth, Wind & Fire, from their first years touring to their much caller appearances.

Maurice White

Maurice White successful 1978; Maurice White successful 2010.

Michael Putland/Getty ; Amanda Edwards/WireImage

Maurice began his profession arsenic a drummer and convention musician, moving pinch artists for illustration Etta James and nan Ramsey Lewis Trio.

In 1969, he founded Earth, Wind & Fire, serving arsenic nan band’s leader, superior producer, songwriter and drummer, shaping its signature style and guiding it to world success.

Parkinson’s illness led him to gradually measurement backmost from touring successful nan mid-1990s, though he continued to write, nutrient and execute successful workplace settings. He besides released a self-titled solo medium successful 1985, which included nan deed “Stand by Me."

Maurice was joined to Marilyn White, and together they had 3 children. He died connected Feb. 4, 2016, astatine property 74.

Verdine White

Verdine White successful 1979; Verdine White successful 2025.

Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty ; JC Olivera/Variety via Getty

Maurice's relative Verdine joined Earth, Wind & Fire successful 1970, contributing to its unique sound pinch his energetic performances and innovative bass lines.

In 2024, Verdine ventured into a solo profession pinch nan merchandise of his debut single, "Superman," a tribute to his precocious brother. The opus was produced by his wife, Shelly Clark, who was a personnel of nan 1970s group Honey Cone.

"Maurice was a Superman," Verdine told PEOPLE successful December 2024. "When you really look astatine his discography and what Rice did arsenic a writer, producer, leader ... he was my mentor and brought maine into nan business."

The musician has been joined to Clark since 1980. They stock 1 son.

Philip Bailey

Philip Bailey successful 1985; Philip Bailey successful 2025.

David Redfern/Redferns ; Philip J. Bailey/Instagram

Bailey joined nan set successful 1972, contributing to hits for illustration "Reasons," "Fantasy" and "September."

He kicked disconnected his solo profession successful 1983 pinch nan merchandise of his debut album, Continuation. However, his solo breakthrough came successful 1984 pinch nan medium Chinese Wall, which featured "Easy Lover," a duet pinch Phil Collins.

Beyond his philharmonic achievements, Bailey is besides recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He founded nan Music Is Unity Foundation successful 2007, which introduces disenfranchised teens and young adults pinch foster attraction backgrounds to manufacture careers.

Bailey is presently joined to Valerie Bailey. The musician's boy Philip Bailey Jr. has followed successful his father's footsteps and is now a personnel of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Ralph Johnson

Ralph Johnson successful 1987; Ralph Johnson successful 2025.

Lester Cohen/Getty ; Johnny Nunez/Getty

Johnson besides joined Earth, Wind & Fire successful 1972.

Beyond his activity pinch nan band, he's collaborated pinch various artists crossed genres, contributing to projects by Jay-Z, The Temptations, Drake and Meghan Trainor.

Johnson is joined to his wife, Susan Johnson.

Al McKay

Al McKay in 1978; Al McKay successful 2019.

Michael Putland/Getty ; Tristar Media/Getty

McKay began his master euphony profession successful nan 1960s, notably playing pinch nan Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

He joined Earth, Wind & Fire successful 1973 and co-wrote hits for illustration “Sing a Song” and “Saturday Nite."

In 2001, McKay released his debut solo album, Al Dente, nether nan sanction Al McKay Allstars aft leaving nan set successful 1981.

He continues to execute pinch his set nether nan sanction Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, and is dedicated to preserving nan original tone of nan group's music.

Larry Dunn

Larry Dunn; Larry Dunn successful 2020.

Gems/Redferns ; Daniel Knighton/Getty

Dunn joined nan iconic group successful 1972 and served arsenic nan philharmonic head until 1983, contributing to nan band's occurrence pinch hits for illustration “Shining Star” and “Be Ever Wonderful."

After departing from Earth, Wind & Fire, he released his debut solo album, Lover's Silhouette, successful 1992.

The keyboardist is joined to Luisa Dunn, who formed nan accumulation institution Source Productions pinch him.

Johnny Graham

Johnny Graham successful 1980.

Michael Putland/Getty

Graham became a cardinal personnel of Earth, Wind & Fire successful 1973. He contributed memorable guitar solos to songs for illustration "Love's Holiday" and "Fantasy."

After leaving nan set successful nan early 1980s, Graham joined Al McKay’s L.A. Allstars, which included erstwhile Earth, Wind & Fire members for illustration Andrew Woolfolk and Fred White.

Graham isn't progressive connected societal media and hasn't performed publically successful years.