The Vocal Group Hall of Fame & Museum Company Inc. was an American-based hall of fame that honored vocal groups throughout the United States. James E. Winner Jr. was the financial and managing partner of the For-profit corporation. Winner and Anthony F. Butala were the corporate officers/stockholders of The Museum Company. They set up an office located at Winner's business address on State Street in Sharon, Pennsylvania .
67-495: EWF may refer to: Earth, Wind & Fire , an American funk band Education World Forum , an international education seminar Empire Wrestling Federation , an American wrestling promotion Engineers Without Frontiers Enhanced Write Filter , a component of some of Microsoft's embedded operating systems Ethiopian World Federation European Weightlifting Federation European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting ,
134-555: A BET Lifetime Achievement Award , a Soul Train Legend Award , a NARAS Signature Governor's Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award , the 2012 Congressional Horizon Award , and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019. Rolling Stone has called them "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and declared that the band "changed the sound of black pop". VH1 has described EWF as "one of
201-858: A Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals . The album's second single was title track " That's the Way of the World ". It reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 12 on the Hot 100 chart. With the album's success the band was able to hire their own horn section , dubbed the Phenix Horns . They were composed of saxophonist Don Myrick , trombonist Louis Satterfield , and trumpeters Rahmlee Davis and Michael Harris . Myrick and Satterfield had both previously worked with White during his days as
268-508: A Duo, Group or Chorus and won a Grammy in the category of Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) . The film's soundtrack was also certified US platinum. In 1978, White established a subsidiary label of CBS titled The American Record Company (ARC) . Soon afterwards he launched, alongside sound engineer George Massenburg , a new recording studio dubbed The Complex in West Los Angeles. In November 1978, EWF issued
335-589: A compilation album entitled The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 on ARC/Columbia. It rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. The New York Daily News claimed "this record is a well-paced showcase." Crispin Cioe of High Fidelity wrote "For pop/r&b mavens, this one's a must." The album was certified quintuple platinum in
402-642: A febrile jazz‐rock direction." Monroe Anderson of the Chicago Tribune called the album as a "rare blend of poetry, passion and artistic progression." All 'n All won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus . The album was certified US triple platinum. " Serpentine Fire " rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. " Fantasy " reached No. 12 on
469-605: A fresh sound that sets it apart from many of the ho-hum aggregations around today. The album consists of eight moving tunes". Hip Hop artist Nas was also inspired by the album's cover art while British singer Gabrielle also named Last Days and Time as one of her favorites. A single called "Mom" got to No. 39 on the Cashbox Top R&;B Singles chart. Soon thereafter, Roland Bautista and Ronnie Laws left. Denver native Philip Bailey recommended his former East High School classmate, saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk , as
536-538: A label?". EWF went on to supply the entire soundtrack of the Melvin Van Peebles feature film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song . The soundtrack, composed by Van Peebles, was released in April 1971 on Stax Records . Ian McCann of udiscovermusic.com found "Today, though, you couldn't find a record, soundtrack, or otherwise, as freewheelin' and funky as this." Jamie Atkins of Record Collector also found
603-486: A multi-million dollar grant if the foundation could meet the match. Over twenty years after it was first created, the Foundation has not opened the attraction or receive adequate funding. Much is still needed to renovate, open and operated the foundation's attraction and become capable of raising funds on its own through benefit concerts at The Columbia Theatre. Meanwhile, the restoration of the theatre has stalled due to
670-504: A public ballot that allowed anyone to vote for both the nominees and the inductees. While only vocal groups having three-part harmony are eligible, other categories such as duos and Lead solo vocalists with a harmony group may be inducted if they have a legitimate backup harmony group with backing harmony singers. An example of this would be Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers . The Vocal Group Hall of Fame public operations, including
737-560: A replacement for Laws. Woolfolk had been busy in New York studying sax with sax maestro Joe Henderson and was due to start a career in banking at the time. To fill the void created by Bautista's departure, rhythm guitarists Al McKay and Johnny Graham were added. Graham previously played with New Birth , while McKay was a former member of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue and The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band . EWF's fourth studio album, Head to
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#1732765999567804-549: A session drummer at Chess Records. After their first European tour, EWF returned to the studio in June 1975. The band eventually came away with an album of mostly live concert material together with some new tracks. As a double LP Gratitude was issued in November 1975. It rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts respectively. Kit Aiken of Uncut called Gratitude "a kicking live album". Greg Kot of
871-557: A trade organization Every Woman Foundation Expert Witness Compression Format , an open file format to store disk images Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title EWF . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=EWF&oldid=1236299430 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
938-544: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Earth, Wind %26 Fire Earth, Wind & Fire (abbreviated as EW&F or EWF ) is an American band formed in Chicago , Illinois in 1969. Their music spans multiple genres, including jazz , R&B , soul , funk , disco , pop , Latin and Afro-pop . They are among the best-selling bands of all time , with sales of over 90 million records worldwide. The band
1005-649: The Billboard Dance Club Songs and UK Pop Singles charts, respectively. The track "Earth, Wind and Fire" was Grammy nominated for Best Instrumental Composition . During this period, EWF concerts became loaded with pyrotechnics, magic, laser lights, flying pyramids, levitating guitarists and elaborate production tricks that included the entire group ascending in a pyramid and a disappearing act. Stage magician Doug Henning appeared on many of their tours with his assistant and eventual successor, David Copperfield . George Faison began choreographing
1072-528: The Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart. "Fantasy" was Grammy-nominated for Best R&B Song . "Runnin" won a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental . Thereafter the band performed a medley on a musical special hosted by Natalie Cole which aired in April 1978 on CBS . EWF later appeared in the July 1978 feature film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , which
1139-537: The Billboard 200 chart. Open Our Eyes was certified US Platinum. A single from the LP called " Mighty Mighty " reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. " Kalimba Story " rose to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. " Devotion " got to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. After Open Our Eyes
1206-593: The Chicago Tribune found "an Ellingtonian fusion of styles on this live masterpiece." The album was certified US triple platinum. With the LP came " Sing a Song ", which rose to numbers 1 and 5 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs and Hot 100 charts, respectively. " Can't Hide Love " got to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. "Can't Hide Love" was Grammy nominated for Best Arrangement For Voices . The album's title track
1273-559: The Evening Standard scribed "On I Am..the band's flashy staccato rhythms, their smooth melodies and precise production adds up to another majestic album". " Boogie Wonderland ", featuring the Emotions , got to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also Grammy nominated in the categories of Best Disco Recording and Best R&B Instrumental Performance . " After
1340-604: The flute and saxophone, rhythm guitarist Roland Bautista , keyboardist Larry Dunn , vocalist Philip Bailey and percussionist Ralph Johnson . Davis was soon replaced by Jessica Cleaves , a former member of the R&;B group The Friends of Distinction . The band successfully auditioned for managers Bob Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo. Cavallo's management of John Sebastian led to a series of gigs as his opening act. A performance at New York's Rockefeller Center introduced EWF to Clive Davis , then-President of Columbia Records . Davis
1407-692: The Dells , Terry Callier and Minnie Riperton and the Rotary Connection , of which Riperton was a member. Stepney's writing and production style included a more ornate, orchestral flourish, which influenced the soundtrack album. That's the Way of the World was eventually issued in March 1975 by Columbia. The album rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top Soul Albums charts. Stephen Curwood of The Boston Globe called
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#17327659995671474-452: The LP "a sound you shouldn't miss." Daryl Easlea of the BBC described That's the Way of the World as a "soul masterpiece". The album was certified US triple platinum. From the LP came the single " Shining Star ", which rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts. This made EWF the first black act to top both the Billboard album and singles charts. The song won
1541-607: The LP titled " Evil " got to No. 19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs and No. 25 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs charts respectively. Another single called " Keep Your Head to the Sky " rose to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. Jessica Cleaves left after the album release. The band's follow-up album was co-produced by Maurice and Wissert. This LP was recorded at James William Guercio 's Caribou Ranch Studio and Open Our Eyes
1608-652: The Love Has Gone " reached No. 2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Songs charts. The song made No. 3 on both the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs and UK Pop Singles charts. The ballad was Grammy-nominated in the category of Record of the Year . "After the Love Has Gone" won a Grammy for the Best R&;B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group . Vocal Group Hall of Fame Control of
1675-525: The Midwest titled "La La Time". The Salty Peppers' second single, "Uh Huh Yeah", did not fare as well. Maurice moved from Chicago to Los Angeles. He added singer Sherry Scott and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, both from Chicago, to the band. He asked his younger brother Verdine to join and on June 6, 1970, Verdine moved from Chicago to LA to become the band's bassist. Maurice began shopping demo tapes featuring Donny Hathaway to various record labels and
1742-556: The Sky , was released in May 1973. The album rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. Head to the Sky was certified US Platinum by the RIAA . Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone declared "Been having a lot of music dreams lately but this one's not too surprising since I've been playing the Earth, Wind & Fire album pretty constantly for
1809-700: The US by the RIAA. A new song called " September " was released as a single, peaking to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. "September" also reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. In January 1979, the band performed "September" and "That's the Way of the World" at the Music for UNICEF Concert . The concert was broadcast worldwide from the United Nations General Assembly . Other artists who performed at
1876-568: The Vocal Group Hall of Fame museum staff went to a concert at the nearby Cleveland Indians minor league baseball stadium in Ohio to see Cool & the Gang , Village People and Disco Explosion . They liked the production and show management. The group made an offer to the concert producer. Bob Crosby. Cosby got his start in the entertainment business at Dick Clark Productions in 1976. He
1943-497: The Vocal Group Museum Company Inc. and Crosby took over operations of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation as President and CEO. Soon after Crosby took over the operation and administration of the foundation, Winner's attorneys and accountants, the board of directors of the foundation, resigned. Within a couple of months of Crosby's appointment as President and CEO of the foundation, he did not expect
2010-420: The band eventually signed to Warner Bros. Records . Maurice White's astrological sign , Sagittarius , has a primary elemental quality of fire and seasonal qualities of earth and air , according to classical triplicities . Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the autumn, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air. Hence the omission of water ,
2077-638: The band's new LP, Spirit , which was issued in October 1976. The album's title paid tribute to Stepney. The LP rose to No. 2 on both the Billboard Top Pop Albums and Top Soul Albums charts. Music Week commented "With a more spiritual, ethereal feel than the six albums they had already cut to that point, it really marks a turning point in their career and is crammed with excellent tunes." John Abbey of Blues & Soul described Spirit as "a mighty, mighty album" which shows "the power of
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2144-741: The band's producer. The band's self-titled debut album was released in March 1971 on Warner Bros. The album got to No. 24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and was certified Gold in France by the SNEP . Lester Bangs of Rolling Stone noted a "heavy Sly influence" and the "smooth harmonies" of The Fifth Dimension on the LP. Bob Talbert of the Detroit Free Press also wrote "I'm not sure what to call this group. Afro-gospel-jazz-blues-rock? Must there be
2211-515: The band's signature Phenix Horns and most of the other band members and put these and others Kalimba artists on tour with EWF. While co-producing and arranging EWF's follow-up LP, Williams's debut album, This Is Niecy , Ramsey Lewis's Salongo , and the Emotions' Flowers , their first album on Columbia Records , Charles Stepney died of a heart attack on May 17, 1976, in Chicago at the age of 45. With Stepney's death, White went on to produce
2278-481: The best supporters of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation as Chair of the Artist Advisory Board and continued her support up until her death. The Truth In Music Bill has since been adopted by most U.S. states . It also helps ensure that people who perform in a group using a group's name must actually perform on one of the group's albums or has legal rights to use the name. The main beneficiaries are
2345-728: The contrast between Bailey's falsetto and Maurice's tenor vocals. The band has won six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , the Vocal Group Hall of Fame , the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame , and Hollywood's Rockwalk , and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . The band has also received an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award,
2412-470: The elements of Earth, Wind and Fire aren't new, this mixture of them is a unique sound". A single from the album called " I Think About Lovin' You " reached No. 44 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. The band became popular on college campuses, although some members started to become restless and the band eventually split. With only Verdine left, Maurice decided to re-form the group. During 1972, Maurice added vocalist Helena Davis, Ronnie Laws on
2479-577: The event were ABBA , Andy Gibb , the Bee Gees , Olivia Newton-John , Donna Summer and Rod Stewart . The concert was Emmy -nominated in the category of Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class. During June 1979, EWF issued their ninth studio album, I Am . The LP rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. I Am was certified US double platinum. Eric Sieger of The Baltimore Sun called I Am "faultlessly produced." James Johnson of
2546-709: The foundation office, was able to assist other artists in an effort to protect the artist from fraudulent abuse. Wilson championed the Truth in Music bill for many years throughout the United States. With the help of The Recording Academy, she got Hawaii added to the list of states with the Truth In Music Bill as the 35th state to pass the bill also known as the Truth in Advertising Act. She was one of
2613-686: The foundation. The building was located adjacent to the theater. It would have the restaurant portion becoming a vocal group-themed museum, nightclub piano bar and bar and grill. The Truth in Music bill was created to protect artists from identity theft . Jon Bauman , chairmen of The Truth In Music Committee has worked with the VGHF. Along with Frank Maffei, bauman has had help from Joe Terry of Danny & The Juniors , Maxine Pinkney of Bill Pinkney , The Original Drifters , Veta & Carl Gardner of The Coasters , Herb Reed and Sonny Turner of The Platters and others. Bauman and Mary Wilson, with Bob Crosby at
2680-418: The fourth classical element . Based on this, he changed the band's name, to Earth, Wind & Fire. White held further auditions in L.A, adding Michael Beal on guitar, Chester Washington on reeds , and Leslie Drayton on trumpet. White was a percussionist and lead vocalist. Drayton served as the group's arranger. Trombonist Alex Thomas completed the then ten-man lineup. Warner Bros. designated Joe Wissert to be
2747-488: The greatest bands". In 1969, Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio , joined two friends in Chicago, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team. They wrote songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol Records . Calling themselves The Salty Peppers, they had a marginal hit single in
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2814-507: The group. "The Vocal Group Hall of Fame & Museum Company Inc." opened in 1998 followed by The Vocal Group Hall of Fame 501 (c)3 Non-Profit Foundation. The foundation was formed and operated by attorneys and accountants employed by Winner. The foundation was created to care for, protect and display the Inductees' memorabilia and to enjoy the benefits of a non-profit foundation. The foundation began collecting donations of memorabilia from
2881-469: The hall of fame has changed over the years. It went into hiatus and was closed in 2008. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was conceived by Butala. He came up with the idea of the museum/hall of fame. Winner, a successful local businessman and entrepreneur, agreed to fund and operate the project. Butala is also the founding member of the famous 50s & '60s singing group The Lettermen . He is the only living original member of The Lettermen and still performs with
2948-706: The inductees and began seeking grants from the city of Sharon and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It also solicited donations from a hopeful supportive public. Shortly after the foundation was created, Winner renovated the Museum building. He later opened the Museum and set up headquarters at the newly renovated museum building that he owned across the street from his offices in Sharon. Inductions were scheduled and promoted for September 11, 2001 ( 9/11 ). The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductions and were to be produced behind
3015-541: The lack of funding. A part of a new roof was installed and the plastering of the dome was completed to make a watertight shell. The Mercer County Correctional Facility and volunteers removed more than 100 tons of debris to help make the theater ready for renovation. In November 2004, the museum moved out of Winner's 3-story building and relocated to the Columbia Theatre. All of the Foundations memorabilia
3082-407: The museum building in a parking lot. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum Company Inc. had begun the 2001 Inductions preparation, production, and promotion when the 9/11 terror attack crisis left artists/inductees unable to travel to Inductions. All airplanes had been grounded, causing the 2001 inductions to be postponed to October 4, 2001. In the time between 9/11 and October 4, 2001, a few members of
3149-414: The nine-piece Earth Wind & Fire conglomeration." Spirit was certified US double platinum . " Getaway " reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. The song also rose to No. 12 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance Club Play charts. " Saturday Nite " reached numbers 4 and 21 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs and Hot 100 charts, respectively. "Saturday Nite" rose to No. 12 on both
3216-463: The offered lease and find a new location. On June 14, 2002, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation purchased the 1750-seat 1922 Columbia Theatre, an early Warner Brothers theater in Sharon. They moved all the foundation's memorability to storage and ended the lease in Winners building. The Foundation office relocated to the Columbia Theatre. The For-profit Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum Company Inc.
3283-509: The past week, certainly beyond all expectations". Aletti also noted EWF "sound like a cosmic choir and generate a Sly Stone effect" on the album. Tony Palermo of the Pittsburgh Press wrote "Folks like to compare this bunch with War , but the first difference that hits you with E,W&F's brand of jazz-rhythm and blues is the smoothness of Jessica Cleaves ' vocal work. Then, the extra slug of R&B in their style". A single off
3350-449: The rental price, $ 1 a year rent plus utilities and maintenance of the building, to change. However, the rent had increased to $ 12,000 per month. Other bills and debts not agreed to became the foundation's responsibility instead of The Museum Company's responsibility. Winner demanded that all museum renovation bills become foundation bill. This ended any chance for the foundation to survive with debt said to be over $ 1million. A final settlement
3417-498: The role of a record producer who hears "The Group" performing and is wowed by their act. When the band saw the film they were convinced that it would become a box office bomb , which it eventually was. They therefore released the film's soundtrack before the film's premiere. The LP was produced by White and Charles Stepney and recorded at the Caribou Ranch Studio. Stepney had previously worked with artists such as
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#17327659995673484-489: The shows. In November 1977, EWF released All 'n All , their eighth studio album. It was inspired by Maurice's month-long trip through Argentina and Brazil . The album rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. John Rockwell of The New York Times declared " All 'n All shows Maurice White and his cohorts pushing their music ever more in
3551-867: The soundtrack is "Well worth checking out." The album reached No. 13 on the Billboard Top R&;B Albums chart. In November 1971, EWF's second album, titled The Need of Love , was issued. The LP got to No. 35 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. Bruce Lindsay of Jazz Journal said "as evidence of a tight, stylish, band in the early stages of its career this is a worthwhile album". Al Rudis of The Chicago Sun-Times wrote "Their second album, The Need of Love again displays some unusual music that might be called avant garde were it not so melodic and entrancing. The nine-member group mixes excellent jazzy instrumentals with harmony singing and chanting, some big band sounds and some free-form parts as well as solid soul beats. It all works beautifully, and while
3618-426: The theater and museum, have been closed and on hiatus since 2008 due to the lack of financial support. It continues its mission to establish and operate a museum attraction where the inductees meet and perform in support of the foundation. On June 14, 2001, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation purchased the 1750-seat Columbia Theatre in Sharon "with the promise of grant funding to follow" . The Commonwealth did have
3685-428: Was accepted after lawsuits were filed. There was no longer any financial obligation due to Winner by the foundation. As differences grew, it became clear to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation that the Foundation could no longer afford to rent or occupy Winners museum building. The Foundation was not able to provide for the museum and the foundation's past bills. It was left with no alternative other than to not renew
3752-403: Was also nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals . During 1975, White established a production company called Kalimba Productions. He signed artists such as his former bandleader Ramsey Lewis; singer Deniece Williams , who had once been a member of Stevie Wonder 's "Wonderlove" backup group; and girl group the Emotions . Maurice loaned
3819-590: Was an eventual commercial failure . During the film EWF's rendered a cover of the Beatles ' " Got to Get You into My Life ". This tune was the biggest hit single from the movie's soundtrack , reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard R&;B songs chart and No. 9 on the US Billboard Pop singles chart. "Got to Get You into My Life" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance by
3886-408: Was certified US Gold. During 1975, EWF was approached by Sig Shore , producer of the motion picture Super Fly , to record the soundtrack to a new film titled That's the Way of the World . With a screenplay from Robert Lipsyte , the film was produced and directed by Shore. The film starred Harvey Keitel , Ed Nelson , EWF as "The Group" and Maurice as Early, "The Group"'s leader. Keitel played
3953-416: Was closed. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation typically inducts sixteen Vocal Groups annually and has been delayed lacking the funding. Artists are inducted within categories. Each category has an original group member, evolved group member or a family member as an inductee representative. These categories include 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and duos. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation releases
4020-436: Was contracted to produce the 2001 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Production. Crosby accepted the offer and successfully staged the concert. He recorded video and audio of the 2001 Inductions and marketed and packaged the first DVD of inductions. Prior quarters and annual projections showed low attendance to the museum and unsatisfying ticket sales to both the museum and Inductions. This caused tensions between Winner and Butala. Batula
4087-537: Was formed by Maurice White , originating out of the Salty Peppers ; its history includes a hiatus from mid-1984 to mid-1987. Prominent members have included Verdine White , Philip Bailey , Ralph Johnson , Larry Dunn , Al McKay , Roland Bautista , Robert Brookins , Sonny Emory , Freddie Ravel , Ronnie Laws , Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk . The band is known for its kalimba sound, dynamic horn section , energetic and elaborate stage shows, and
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#17327659995674154-693: Was impressed and bought their contract from Warner Bros. Wissert went along with the band. Their debut album on CBS/Columbia Records, Last Days and Time , was issued in October 1972. The album got to No. 15 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 9 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Albums chart. Paul Sexton of Record Mirror proclaimed "Musical historians and EWF fans alike will welcome ( Last Days and Time)" . Ovid Goode Jr. of The Los Angeles Daily News declared " Last Days and Time , sprouts forth with
4221-544: Was issued, Maurice's younger brother, Fred White , joined the band. He had previously played in Chicago clubs as a drummer with Donny Hathaway and Little Feat . On April 6, 1974, EWF performed at the California Jam , a West Coast rock festival that attracted an audience of 200,000. The concert was televised in the US on May 10, 1974, by ABC . In September 1974, a compilation double album titled Another Time , comprising songs from EWF's first two studio albums,
4288-415: Was moved to temperature-controlled storage waiting for its new home for display. The new location at Columbia Theatre was meant to serve both as The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation's central office and as the location for the annual induction ceremony. It was also intended to host benefit concerts to support the foundation and theatre. The museum was to move to a three-story restaurant building purchased by
4355-513: Was not very helpful because he was on tour most of the time with The Lettermen. This issue led to the resolution of all matters by dissolving the interest and partnership in the For-profit Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum Company Inc. Butala wanted his dream to continue. He suggested to Winner to have Crosby take over the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation and rent the museum building from Winner. Butala and Winner closed
4422-442: Was released by Warner Bros. The album got to No. 29 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The band collaborated with Ramsey Lewis on his album Sun Goddess , which was produced by Maurice and issued in late 1974 by Columbia. The album got to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. The LP's title track rose to No. 20 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. Sun Goddess
4489-469: Was released in March 1974. Ken Emerson of Rolling Stone called Open Our Eyes "a pleasant miscellany of Africana, Latin rhythms, well-mannered funk, smooth jazz, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder and the Fifth Dimension ". The Village Voice ' s Robert Christgau described the album as a complete "tour de force". The album rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 15 on
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