Artist page · 04/07/2026

Earth, Wind & Fire

ChicagoFormed in 1969Compilations10 vinyl albums
Earth, Wind & Fire, established in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White, blend jazz, funk, soul, and disco into a unique sound that evolved over decades. They continue to captivate over 3 million listeners with timeless grooves and rich vocal styles.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
10Albums on Vinyles.com
3656Discogs releases
3.0MLast.fm listeners

About

12 vinyl titles spanning classic funk, soul, and disco — original 1975 "Gratitude" LPs reach premium prices.

Originating from Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire is a collective that emerged at the end of the 1960s, conceived by drummer Maurice White. The band's lineup evolved to weave together elements of jazz, blues, funk, soul, and gospel, especially enriched by Memphis musicians including Verdine White and Philip Bailey. Throughout the 1970s, the group achieved growing commercial success with a string of studio albums fused with sophisticated arrangements and spiritual themes.

The band embraced disco in the late 1970s, reaching massive audiences with albums like "That's The Way Of The World" and "All 'N All." After a hiatus in the 1980s, Earth, Wind & Fire returned with albums spaced out over the following decades, featuring contributions from various new members.

Discography

Earth, Wind & Fire discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

HolidayLegacy · 2014
2014
Holiday
CD, Album
Studio
Now, Then & ForeverLegacy · 2013
2013
Now, Then & Forever
CD, Album
Studio
IlluminationSanctuary Urban · 2005
2005
Illumination
CD, Album
Studio
The PromiseKalimba Records · 2003
2003
The Promise
CD, Album
Studio
Live In RioKalimba Records · 2002
2002
Live In Rio
CD, Album
Live
That's The Way Of The World: Alive In '75Columbia · 2002
2002
That's The Way Of The World: Alive In '75
CD, Album
Live
In The Name Of LovePyramid Records · 1997
1997
In The Name Of Love
CD, Album
Studio
AvatarAvex Trax · 1996
1996
Avatar
CD, Album
Studio
Live In Velfarre = ライヴ・イン・ヴェルファーレAvex Trax · 1995
1995
Live In Velfarre = ライヴ・イン・ヴェルファーレ
CD, Album
Live
MillenniumReprise Records · 1993
1993
Millennium
CD, Album, Club Edition
Studio
HeritageColumbia · 1990
1990
Heritage
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Touch The WorldColumbia · 1987
1987
Touch The World
CD, Album
Studio
Electric UniverseColumbia · 1983
1983
Electric Universe
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
PowerlightColumbia · 1983
1983
Powerlight
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Raise!ARC · 1981
1981
Raise!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
FacesARC · 1980
1980
Faces
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
I AmARC · 1979
1979
I Am
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
All 'N AllColumbia · 1977
1977
All 'N All
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
SpiritColumbia · 1976
1976
Spirit
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
That's The Way Of The WorldColumbia · 1975
1975
That's The Way Of The World
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
GratitudeColumbia · 1975
1975
Gratitude
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Open Our EyesColumbia · 1974
1974
Open Our Eyes
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Head To The SkyColumbia · 1973
1973
Head To The Sky
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Last Days And TimeColumbia · 1972
1972
Last Days And Time
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Earth, Wind & FireWarner Bros. Records · 1971
1971
Earth, Wind & Fire
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Earth, Wind & Fire's career.

01
September
·
02
Let's Groove
·
03
Boogie Wonderland
·
04
Boogie Wonderland (with The Emotions)
·
05
Shining Star
Shining Star
Gratitude · 1975
06
Fantasy
·
07
After the Love Has Gone
·
08
Reasons
Reasons
Gratitude · 1975

The essentials

The 3 Earth, Wind & Fire albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1975
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Gratitude

A 1975 studio album notable for soulful tracks like "Shining Star" and "Reasons," available in original Columbia pressings highly sought by collectors.

14 tracksStereoOriginal Columbia label1975 release
Discover the album
#2 · 1977
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
All 'N All

A 1977 studio album that marked the band’s peak era, with intricate jazz-funk compositions and polished production under Columbia.

LP format1977 releaseColumbia labelStereo
Discover the album
#3 · 2005
LP, Sampler, Promo
Illumination

2005 studio album originally pressed in the UK on Sanctuary Urban, with a median vinyl price around 16€, representing the band's contemporary sound.

12+ bonus tracksUK original pressingSampler promo formatSanctuary Urban label
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Earth, Wind & Fire

Artists who share part of Earth, Wind & Fire's musical DNA.

Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang
Brothers Johnson
Commodores
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Heatwave
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
The O'Jays
The Whispers

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Earth, Wind & Fire

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"The death of Charles Stepney deeply affected the band, inspiring the tribute track in Spirit."
— Historical accounts
01Formation

Maurice White forms Earth, Wind & Fire in Chicago

In 1969, Maurice White, previously a drummer with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, created Earth, Wind & Fire, recruiting musicians mostly from Memphis such as bassist Verdine White and singer/percussionist Philip Bailey, blending multiple black musical styles together.

1969Chicago
02Producer

Charles Stepney’s pivotal influence on early records

Producer Charles Stepney joined around 1974 to enrich the band's musicality by arranging, composing, and vocal coaching, shaping the sound especially on the 1975 "Spirit" album which included a tribute to Stepney after his death.

1974US
03Live Performance

1979 Wembley concerts mark band’s commercial high

The 1979 album "I Am" coincided with five consecutive sold-out nights at Wembley, highlighting the band’s peak commercial popularity and stadium-ready performances.

1979London
04Vinyl Pressing

Original 1975 "Gratitude" LP pressings command premium

Original vinyl copies of the 1975 album "Gratitude," especially Canadian Columbia pressings (Cat# PG 33694), are rare on market and can reach close to 25€ with some promos cheaper but fewer in number.

1975Canada

Records by Earth, Wind & Fire

See all
Greatest Hits - Front Cover

Greatest Hits

Earth, Wind & Fire
Gospel Jazz/Blues
Columbia/Legacy
From $33.14 1 offer
Illumination - Front Cover

Illumination

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
View details
SPIRIT/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR/POCHETTE GATEFOLD - Front Cover

SPIRIT/180g Audiophile Black Vinyl/Gatefold Sleeve

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
MUSIC ON VINYL
View details
THAT S THE WAY OF THE WORLD/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR - Front Cover

THAT S THE WAY OF THE WORLD/180g Audiophile Black Vinyl

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
MUSIC ON VINYL
View details
ALL N ALL/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR/POCHETTE GATEFOLD/INCLUS 3 TITRES BONUS/POSTER - Front Cover

ALL N ALL/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR/POCHETTE GATEFOLD/INCLUS 3 TITRES BONUS/POSTER

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
MUSIC ON VINYL
View details
The Best of Earth Wind & Fire Vol. 1 - Front Cover

The Best of Earth Wind & Fire Vol. 1

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Columbia/Legacy
From $20.68 1 offer
Gratitude - Front Cover

Gratitude

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
Columbia/Legacy
From $42.49 1 offer
The Need Of Love (180 Gram) - Front Cover

The Need Of Love (180 Gram)

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
SCORPIO
View details
Earth, Wind And Fire (180 Gram) - Front Cover

Earth, Wind And Fire (180 Gram)

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
SCORPIO
View details
Image manquante

THE NEED OF LOVE (180 GRAM)

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
SCORPIO
View details
Image manquante

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE (180 GRAM)

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
SCORPIO
View details
I AM/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR - Front Cover

I AM/180g Audiophile Black Vinyl

Earth, Wind & Fire
International Funk Funk/Soul/R&B/Disco
MUSIC ON VINYL
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

When and where was Earth, Wind & Fire formed?

Earth, Wind & Fire was formed in 1969 in Chicago by Maurice White.

What vinyl formats are available for Earth, Wind & Fire albums?

Audiophile 180g LPs, standard vinyl LPs, and promo samplers are available for several Earth, Wind & Fire albums.

Which Earth, Wind & Fire LP is known for having a gatefold sleeve?

The 2018 audiophile pressing of "All 'N All" features a 180g black vinyl with a gatefold sleeve and bonus tracks.

What are some highly sought-after Earth, Wind & Fire vinyl pressings in France?

Original and audiophile editions of 1970s albums like "Gratitude" and "All 'N All" on Columbia or Music On Vinyl are popular among French collectors.

What genres define Earth, Wind & Fire's music?

Their music spans funk, jazz, soul, disco, gospel, and rhythm & blues.

Are there rare Earth, Wind & Fire vinyl pressings from the US?

Yes, original promo pressings from the US, such as the 1975 "Gratitude" LP with various catalog numbers, are rarer and valued.

Which Earth, Wind & Fire songs have the highest play counts?

"September" leads with over 17 million plays, followed by "Let's Groove" and "Boogie Wonderland."

How did Earth, Wind & Fire evolve in the 1980s?

After a commercial peak in the late 1970s, the band saw member departures and a 1983 hiatus; they returned in 1987 with more spaced studio releases and new collaborations.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026