In Do You Remember? Celebrating Fifty Years of Earth, Wind & Fire,
Trenton Bailey traces the humble beginning of Maurice White, his
development as a musician, and his formation of Earth, Wind & Fire, a
band that became a global phenomenon during the 1970s. By the early
1980s, the music industry was changing, and White had grown weary after
working constantly for more than a decade. He decided to put the band on
hiatus for more than three years. The band made a comeback in 1987, but
White's health crisis soon forced them to tour without him. During the
twenty-first century, the band has received numerous accolades and
lifetime achievement and hall of fame awards. The band remains relevant
today, collaborating with younger artists and maintaining their classic
sound.
Earth, Wind & Fire stood apart from other soul bands with their
philosophical lyrics and extravagant visual art, much of which is
studied in the book, including album covers, concerts, and music videos.
The lyrics of hit songs are examined alongside an analysis of the band's
chart success. Earth, Wind & Fire has produced twenty-one studio albums
and several compilation albums. Each album is analyzed for content and
quality. Earth, Wind & Fire is also known for using ancient Egyptian
symbols, and Bailey thoroughly details those symbols and Maurice White's
fascination with Egyptology. After enduring many personnel changes,
Earth, Wind & Fire continues to perform around the world and captivate
diverse audiences.
