My life with Earth, Wind & Fire / Maurice White with Herb Powell.
"Earth, Wind & Fire was one of the most popular and significant bands of the past century, celebrated alongside Chicago, the Commodores, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, and Sly and the Family Stone. They transcended genres and fused diverse influences, from R&B to pop to jazz and beyond, earning multiple Grammy Awards--and most recently a Lifetime Achievement Award, shortly after the passing of the band's founder, Maurice White. Although many of White's contemporaries and fans, including Quincy Jones, Questlove, and Diane Warren, felt a kinship with him through his music, he himself was an intensely private man. In this riveting account of his personal life and his massively popular band, he bares his soul. Raised by a family friend, relentlessly teased by schoolmates, Maurice found refuge in music and in visits from God. By the time he was six, he was singing in a gospel choir. He came of age musically with close childhood friends and future legends Booker T. Jones and songwriter David Porter. Trained at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, he later joined Chess Records, where he played drums for Etta James, Sonny Stitt, and countless others. With the Ramsey Lewis Trio he toured the world, honed his showmanship, and learned much about the music business, but after receiving what he believed was a message from the Divine, he created Earth, Wind & Fire. It was a band like no other--sellout crowds were spellbound by their costumes, energetic movement, dynamic horns, floating pianos, spinning drum kits, and vanishing acts assisted by magician David Copperfield. The band's performances were no less forgettable than their perennial hits: 'Shining star,' 'Reasons,' 'Got to get you into my life,' 'September,' 'Boogie wonderland,' and 'Let's groove.' Maurice also produced music for Deniece Williams, the Emotions, Neil Diamond, James Ingram, Barbara Streisand, and Jennifer Holliday. Maurice White's story illuminated Earth, Wind & Fire's position as a band essential to American culture, and offers an intimated look at his final days, from his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease to his faith, which helped him not only to cope, but also to savor every single moment. He dreamed that this band's music, a reflection of the ideals of the 1970s, would inspire peace and unity across racial lines. This compelling memoir shows how he achieved that and much more"--Dust jacket.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780062329158
- ISBN: 0062329154
- Physical Description: 386 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition
- Publisher: New York, NY : Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2016]
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- Includes index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Part I Memphis Wonderland -- 1 Mother Dear, Mama, and Me 5 -- 2 As I Yearn, So I Learn 16 -- 3 I'll Never Lose Chicago Blues 30 -- 4 Chess Lessons 45 -- 5 Ramsey Lewis Trio 59 -- 6 World Can't Erase My Fantasy 80 -- Part II Between the Vision and the Fulfillment -- 7 Starting from Scratch 87 -- 8 Hearts of Fire, New Desire 102 -- 9 Trusting in the Process 122 -- 10 Step 136 -- Part III To Sing Our Message Loud and Clear -- 11 True Pride 147 -- 12 Accepting Life 157 -- 13 That's the Way of the World 163 -- 14 Expansion 178 -- 15 Gratitude 188 -- 16 Departure 199 -- Part IV Full-Spectrum Music -- 17 Musical and Spiritual Progressives 209 -- 18 Best of My Love at the Best of Times 216 -- 19 All 'N All 221 -- 20 Musical Theater, Magical Tour 230 -- 21 Beginnings and Endings 242 -- 22 A Hell of a Left Hand 250 -- 23 I Am 257 -- Part V Changing Times -- 24 All in the Creator's Hands 269 -- 25 Don't Make My Band Your Crusade 273 -- 26 Groove 284 -- 27 Black Tax 292 -- 28 Something's Got to Give 306 -- 29 On the Solo 313 -- 30 Blindsided 324 -- 31 Not Fitting In 327 -- 32 A Time of Symbolism 336 -- 33 Letting Go 340 -- Part VI Contemplation -- 34 Time Will Witness What the Old Folks Say 347 -- 35 When My Final Song Is Sung 354.
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Available copies
- 12 of 12 copies available at NC Cardinal.
- 1 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library. (Show)
Holds
- 0 current holds with 12 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | BIO WHITE (Text) | 36015000615373 | Adult Biography | Available | - |
| Carver School Road Branch | B White, Maurice (Text) | 0112521014111 | Adult Biography | Available | - |
| Columbus Library | B WHITE (Text) | 31250200056319 | Adult Biography | Available | - |
| Dorothy Wightman Library | ANF 782.42164092 WHI (Text) | 30372101542790 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Eden Library | B White (Text) | 31554010080926 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Henderson Main Branch | WHITE (Text) | 33258008150000 | Adult Biography | Available | - |
| High Point Library | 782.4216409 White (Text) | 30519009853576 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library | B WHITE (Text) | 39149007483688 | Adult Biography | Available | - |
| Madison-Mayodan Public Library | B White (Text) | 31554010080934 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Pasquotank Library Main | B WHITE (Text) | 39488101745976 | Adult Biography | Available | - |
