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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 23, 2008

R&B GROUP
Earth, Wind & Fire still heats things up

By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Earth, Wind & Fire — from left, Ralph Johnson, Verdine White (seated) and Philip Bailey — is heading back to the Blaisdell Arena Tuesday night.

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EARTH, WIND & FIRE

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Blaisdell Arena

$55, $65

877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

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Longstanding R&B staple Earth, Wind & Fire is one of those groups that everyone just knows. Like we know Aretha Franklin, James Brown or Marvin Gaye. "Shining Star," the group's first No. 1 single, gets stuck in our heads as readily as any fresh new pop song.

The Chicago brothers — Maurice and Verdine White — and a frequently changing roster of group members have spent the last three decades dazzling audiences with their magical stage shows and impressing music lovers with their unerring precision.

Though group founder Maurice White gave up live performing in 2000 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he is still very active as a producer, songwriter and studio vocalist for the group.

Earth, Wind & Fire, with current members Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson, is scheduled to perform Tuesday night at the Blaisdell Arena.

Though they've toned down the special effects and have slowed record production a bit, the group is still making music and tours frequently, incorporating its signature on-stage displays of high-energy showmanship.

With 19 studio albums in circulation and its most recent album, 2005's "Illumination," garnering a Grammy nomination, the group is one of pop music's most prolific and consistent.

Over its 35-year career, Earth, Wind & Fire counts among its achievements eight double-platinum albums, two platinum albums and three gold albums. The group has received eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Earth, Wind & Fire last played the Blaisdell Arena in 2002 and was in the lineup at last year's Diamond Head Crater Festival.

Reach Kawehi Haug at khaug@honoluluadvertiser.com.