Tune In, Turn On
Earth, Wind & Fire is a legacy band considered iconic for their groundbreaking blend of funk, soul, jazz and R&B. They also still have three longtime EW&F members touring: vocalist Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White (brother of another EW&F original member, the late Maurice White), and Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion, vocals).
These three core members have been with the band since 1970 (Maurice formed the band in 1969). None of these gentlemen are spring chickens (all in their 70s), but you wouldn’t know it from their memorable, two-night stand last week at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City.
A full house of mostly boomer-aged people warmly greeted the colorful, impressive 12-piece ensemble on the second night, but there were also plenty of younger people in the audience, showing that the iconic group has successfully transcended into being an act that appeals across the age spectrum, which many legacy acts aren’t able to do.
During their fast-moving, one-plus-hour set with two encores, EW&F rolled out all of their hits, most of which were sung along to by the audience – R&B ballads “After The Love Has Gone,” “Reasons” and “That’s the Way of the World,” up-tempo numbers like “Shining Star,” “Sing A Song,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “September” (the latter with its irresistible intro, “Do you remember…”
Philip Bailey, at 74, can still hit virtually all the high notes; and bassist White is a one-man show, long hair flying (very much resembling the late James Brown), while scampering across the stage from one end to the other, plucking on that bass (including a memorable solo).
All the EW&F band members were dressed in cool-looking, gold-and-black glittered attire, a nice touch and very apropos for this band. To bear witness to these classic songs being played like the well-tuned musical machine Earth, Wind & Fire is, made this, unquestionably, one of the best shows we’ve seen in 2025.
Tune-Ups
Guitar lovers at the Shore will rejoice with word that blues-rock guitar ace Joe Bonamassa is just announced to perform at Ocean Casino’s Ovation Hall on Saturday, June 27, 2026 (tickets went on sale Dec. 9). Bonamassa – who started performing professionally at the age of 12, when he opened for the legendary B.B. King – has three Grammy nominations and 11 solo albums that reached No.1 on the Billboard Blues chart, no easy feat. See Ticketmaster for Joe Bonamassa ticket info…
Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. see blues vocalist Eliza Neals, who Music Connection magazine described as “Stevie Nicks meets John Lee Hooker, who serves a hard drink to Mick Jagger as Aretha Franklin from ‘The Blues Brothers’ is cursing you out of the kitchen,” Whew! Tickets/info: www.lizzierosemusic.com…
Friday, Dec. 12 sees the return of the always-cool, goth-themed Ghost Mart at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City’s Orange Loop. Besides unique, goth-themed Christmas gifts, there will be equally-cool live sets by Ghost Cop, Mamie Hades, Dagger Danse and DJ Brad Scott – 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets/info: anchorrockclub.com…
Finally, an early Happy 50th Birthday to area music promoter Jerry Ryan, who throws himself a birthday bash at the Galloway Elks on Saturday, Dec. 13, 6-11 p.m. with live music by Dissonance and Matchaponix. Ryan’s 16th Annual Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards event takes place at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in A.C. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 3 p.m.-midnight, with performances by dozens of New Jersey-based bands and multiple awards in various musical categories. Tickets/info on Facebook.
Until next week, peace out and be kind to one another. It’s the holiday season!
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
