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8:00 PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018
PAVILION
EARTH, WIND & FIRE
®
A MESSAGE FROM ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allstate is proud of our strong partnerships with local nonpro t organizations that nurture the cultural
richness of our hometown of Chicago. We applaud Ravinia for its long-term commitment to diversity,
world-class performances and the many community and educational programs that enrich the lives of
so many people in our city.
EARTH, WIND & FIRE
Earth, Wind & Fire traces its roots back to
Chicago, where onetime Ramsey Lewis Trio
drummer Maurice White formed the songwrit-
ing trio Salty Peppers. Relocating to Los Ange-
les, the group adopted the moniker it still goes
by today and expanded its artistic breadth to
include the guitars, horns, and additional per-
cussion that would de ne its blend of jazz, rock,
and soul. A er signing with Columbia in
,
Earth, Wind & Fire began its rapid ascent to the
top of the charts, culminating in
’s multi-
platinum
at’s the Way of the World
, which fea-
tured the Grammy-winning, number-one single
“Shining Star” and the radio-mainstay ballad
“Reasons.”
at same year, the group collab-
orated with Ramsey Lewis on his
Sun Goddess
album, contributing to its hit singles “Hot Daw-
git” and the title track, and also released the live
double album
Gratitude
, which included “Sun
Goddess” along with the group’s own hits and
previously unreleased studio material, includ-
ing number- ve “Sing a Song.” Earth, Wind &
Fire followed up with number-two
Spirit
, the -
nal project of legendary producer and longtime
collaborator Charles Stepney, and number-three
All ’N All
, the group’s rst Grammy-winning al-
bum. eir rst greatest hits collection, released
in
, featured a cover of e Beatles’ “Got to
Get You Into My Life” and previously unreleased
“September,” both of which soared into the top
. Subsequent top- ve albums
I Am
(
)
and
Raise!
( ) added the hits “Boogie Won-
derland,” “A er the Love Has Gone,” and “Let’s
Groove” to the group’s repertoire. A er a hiatus,
Earth, Wind & Fire returned with such R&B hit
albums as
Millenium
( ) and
Illumination
(
), in
reclaiming its place in the top
with
Now, en & Forever
. Among many hon-
ors, the group, its members, and its music have
been inducted into the NAACP, Rock and Roll,
Songwriter’s, and Grammy Halls of Fame. To-
night Earth, Wind & Fire returns for its fourth
appearance at Ravinia, where it debuted in
.
AUGUST 13 – AUGUST 19, 2018 | RAVINIA MAGAZINE
101