Earth, Wind & Fire Plays Mesa Arts Center, 8/1

Mesa Arts Center will welcome the group that helped bring about the revolution of pop and disco, Earth, Wind & Fire. Don't miss the band that's won six Grammy's, and four American Music Awards on Wednesday, Aug. 1 in the Ikeda Theater at 7:30 pm. To order tickets, call the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at 480-644-6500, go on-line at MesaArtsCenter.com, or drop by the Box Office located at One East Main Street.

Though Earth, Wind & Fire became well-known as helping to start the disco movement in the 1970's, their music cannot simply be described in one genre. They are known for encompassing such genres as funk, soul, jazz, gospel, pop, rock and roll, psychedelia, blues, folk, African music, and a bit of disco. The interesting and eclectic arrangements tied together with the spiritual lyrics of Maurice White garnered them a huge following of fans and critical acclaim.

Originally playing out of Los Angeles and called the Salty Peppers, Maurice convinced the band to change their name to Earth, Wind, & Fire, expressing not only the three elements but also the elements of multiple artistic principles including composition, musicianship, production, and performance. Earth, Wind & Fire grew from the original trio of White, Flemons, and Whitehead to include Michael Beal on guitar, Leslie Drayton, Chester Washington and Alex Thomas on horns, Sherry Scott on vocals, percussionist Phillard Williams, and Verdine Williams on bass.

The band has since received 20 Grammy Award nominations, winning six as a group. Earth, Wind & Fire have 12 American Music Awards nominations and four wins. They have also been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.