I started EWF because I had a vision, and music was playing in my head that I wanted to bring through. What I had in mind was exactly what Earth, Wind & Fire became.
Music is always a creative process that comes from the heart. It's a feeling, a vibration, that we ride on.
Earth, Wind & Fire was something new. I wanted to bring something innovative to the music. It was out of a desire to create excitement with music that was pleasurable to play and listen to.
I have learned that music helps a lot of people survive, and they want songs that can give them something - I guess you could call it hope.
Most people can't see beauty and love. I see our music as medicine.
I've never been to anywhere in Africa except Egypt. We've never performed there, so I would definitely like to make that trip, probably to South Africa. I'd also like to score a movie from top to bottom. I've had songs in a bunch of films but never done an entire movie. I'd like to do that and have it to be a hit, too!
I don't really listen to contemporary R&B with an ear for hearing my influence. Music is a spirit unto itself, and all of us musicians influence each other all along the chain.
From my youngest days, I always felt certain affinities with the idea of being a preacher.
I think the '70s was a much healthier period for music because people were more innovative and creative.
With Parkinson's, you do need more rest.
I traveled with the band for five years with Parkinson's.
We've been called the soundtrack of people's lives. There have been lots of downs, of course but mostly ups. That EW&F is still clicking at least twenty years on and has a life of its own, that the songs have stayed alive - we're like a good book that people go back to.
