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The Sound

Star still shines

8/1/2018

Groove with iconic Earth, Wind & Fire at the Iowa State Fair

For nearly five decades, Earth, Wind & Fire has been keeping it funky. The R&B institution boasts eight double platinum albums, two No. 1 hits — “Shining Star” and “Let’s Groove” — 17 Grammy nominations, and it has sold more than 100 million records. This classic group of rock-and-roll Hall of Famers is bringing its iconic horn-driven sound to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand on Aug. 16.

Verdine White plays bass, sings, and, of course, dances in unison with his fellow bandmates. He is one of three remaining original band members, along with Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson. CITYVIEW caught up with White, and he explained why his band has endured through the decades.

“It’s the music,” he says. “It starts and ends with the music. It’s the groove and the song — I think it’s a testament to being together for so long.”

He credits his late brother, Maurice White (who passed away in 2016) for first putting the band together in 1969.
“We wouldn’t be talking today, and we wouldn’t have this band today, if it wasn’t for my late brother Maurice,” he says.

The band recently finished a stint at the Venetian in Las Vegas and performed at the Bottle Rock Festival in Napa Valley, where they were on the same billing as Bruno Mars. White says the group appeals to all ages and types of fans.

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“The festival in Napa with Bruno Mars shows that young people like watching all genres of music together,” he says.
White embraces his fans and keeps them updated on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. EWF recently returned from a European tour where fans in Paris were eager for photos together.

“We do selfies with fans,” he assures. “People are excited to see us.”

Fans often approach, offering praise. White takes it in stride, staying humble. He appreciates that fans appreciate the music.

The band has performed at the White House for both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and won Grammy Awards. With so many awards and honors, there isn’t any one event that stands above the rest.

“15 or 20 years ago, we might of said the top albums were fantastic,” he says. “Since then, so many great things have happened to us, including our Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.”

At the upcoming concert, Earth, Wind & Fire will play melodic tunes, such as “Sing a Song” and “September.” White says the group’s music hasn’t changed much through the years.

“We sound exactly the same,” he says confidently. “We play the same recognizable songs.”

EWF has played in Iowa, however not at the fair. A friend of his who attended Iowa State University joked with him — “now you’re making the big time if you play the Iowa State Fair!”

White is excited to perform and feels the crowd is excited, too. In his smooth soulful voice, he says, “We just walk out there, and they give us the love.”

Sinbad opens for Earth, Wind & Fire at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand on Aug. 16. Tickets cost $37-$47, visit www.iowastatefair.org for more information. ♦

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