9 Biggest Reveals From Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary
Earth, Wind & Fire is an iconic band whose unique sound defies genre by blending funk, R&B, soul, jazz, and pop to create a signature groove that made them one of the best-selling groups of all time, with over 90 million records worldwide. Created by Maurice White, whose vision for the band propelled the supergroup, Earth, Wind & Fire became known for the hits “September,” “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” just to name a few.
In the new documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World), acclaimed musician and filmmaker Questlove examines the band’s lasting cultural impact, while also exploring the life, vision, and legacy of its founder and creative force, Maurice White. Through archival footage, interviews, and rare behind-the-scenes moments, the film traces how White transformed Earth, Wind & Fire into one of the most influential and enduring acts in music history.
Here are a few of the revelations from the remarkable and celebrated documentary about one of the most influential bands of our time.
Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World), Streaming Now, HBO Max
9. Former President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama appear in the documentary
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama appear in the documentary to discuss Earth, Wind & Fire’s cultural impact. Reflecting on 1969, Barack notes that Maurice White’s generation grew up amid deprivation and discrimination, often being told they did not matter. The band’s message of Black pride and positivity offered a powerful alternative. “I’m a Black kid in Hawaii, you don’t have a lot of people who look like you and are achieving. And I’m saying to myself, if they can do that, what can I do?” said Barack.
8. Parliament Funkadelic out-funked Earth, Wind & Fire, forcing them to evolve
Although Earth, Wind & Fire was gaining momentum, the band had not yet found its signature sound. In 1972, they opened for Parliament Funkadelic and received only polite applause. Then Parliament Funkadelic took the stage and stole the show. Outplayed and out-funked, Earth, Wind & Fire became an afterthought. Maurice White reportedly vowed, “Never again.” Adding insult to injury, member Jessica Cleaves soon left to join Parliament. Realizing the band needed a stronger groove, White brought in Al McKay with a clear mission: Find the funk.
7. Maurice White was a bit of a rolling stone
For much of the documentary, Maurice White’s son KB White reflects on his father’s life and legacy. But about two-thirds of the way through the film, another son is introduced.
Eden White appears on screen and jokes, “I’m Maurice’s youngest son, that we know about.” As it turns out, although he was in a long-term relationship with Marilyn White, Maurice had an issue with being faithful. The documentary reveals that Eden was the son of Earth, Wind & Fire’s costume creator and that Maurice maintained a relationship with his mother for nearly 20 years while still involved with partner Marilyn, who eventually left him.
6. They were saved by dancing penguins, Seinfeld, and Ol' Dirty Bastard (among others)
In the ’90s, Earth, Wind & Fire went back on tour. Although only a little more than half of the original lineup returned, the band invested more than a million dollars into the production. Arenas were booked, but when the group took the stage, the crowds weren’t there. Audiences had moved on. The tour lost a significant amount of money, forcing the band to scale back and play smaller venues. In many ways, Earth, Wind & Fire found itself right back where it began.
But thanks to commercials, television, and film, a new generation discovered their music. From Elaine’s unforgettable dance moves on Seinfeld to Austin Powers in Goldmember and the dancing penguins of Happy Feet, Earth, Wind & Fire found a whole new audience. That resurgence was further fueled by hip-hop, with artists such as Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest, and Missy Elliott sampling the band’s music and introducing it to younger listeners.
“That victory lap in the ’80s that we didn’t get a chance to do, we took it in the ’90s. And we’ve been taking it ever since. And that’s a testimony to Rice’s vision,” said bass player Verdine White.
5. Maurice White's control over finances created tension
Despite Earth, Wind & Fire’s massive success, several members struggled financially. According to former member Larry Dunn, Maurice White controlled the band’s publishing rights during its early years, leaving many members with modest royalty checks and little credit for helping shape the group’s sound. The arrangement created resentment and contributed to several departures, altering the band’s chemistry and, eventually, its sound.
Former members claim that many in the group held second jobs while White received the lion’s share of the profits. The documentary also explores the emotional fallout. White’s son, KB White, suggests his father unintentionally repeated patterns from his own childhood when his mother left him at age five, saying, “These guys were a family that he created, as he essentially did to them what was done to him when he was a child. He left them before they could leave him.”
4. The name comes from Maurice White's astrological chart
White moved to California to start a band. During this time, he became deeply interested in mysticism and wanted to weave those ideas into the group’s identity. The band’s name came from his study of astrology. After examining his chart, he “put the elements together,” and had earth, fire, and air. He changed “air” to “wind,” and Earth, Wind & Fire was born. To White, the three elements represented the true forces of the universe.
(One more nugget of info about the band: The book Laws of Success inspired the creation of the band as White was heavily inspired by Napoleon Hill’s influential classic and its message: “If you have faith in anything, have faith in yourself.”)
3. They used the Lotus Position to win over an unruly crowd
In 1972, Earth, Wind & Fire played Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater alongside several doo-wop groups. Their afros, colorful clothing, and unconventional style drew laughter from the audience, who were used to Motown acts. To regain control, Maurice White instructed the band to sit on the floor in the lotus position. As the crowd threw debris, the group remained still. Once the audience settled down, White began playing the kalimba, and the band slowly joined in. By the end of the set, they had won the crowd over. As Stevie Wonder later said, “People are afraid of change. And through all that, they won them over through a new experience.”
2. Stevie Wonder admits that "I Wish" was directly influenced by "Shining Star"
The documentary explores the creation of Earth, Wind & Fire’s hit song “Shining Star” and its influence. Participants, including Barack Obama, H.E.R., and Flea, all celebrate the song, but the biggest revelation comes from Stevie Wonder. Reflecting on the song’s impact, Wonder admits, “I was inspired by what it did,” before playing a few notes that resembles his hit “I Wish.” Offscreen, director Questlove reacts in disbelief: “Jesus Christ! So you’re saying ‘I Wish’ was inspired by ‘Shining Star’?” Wonder’s answer: “It was. That was definitely an influence.”
1. There was a first version of Earth, Wind & Fire that was fired
It is not exactly common knowledge, but music fans and historians know that Earth, Wind & Fire went through an early, radically different phase before achieving success with a completely different lineup.
Maurice White did not care for confrontation. At all. When the first incarnation of Earth, Wind & Fire failed to gain traction, neither the band nor Warner Bros. was happy with its progress. White’s manager, Leonard Smith, told him he would never achieve his goals with the current lineup. Smith ultimately dismissed almost all the original members to begin again. White was not present for the firings, but he did keep his brother, Verdine White.
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I guess the fact that Mr White played with and on some of the greatest jazz recordings at Chess doesn’t matter to you kids.