Andrew Woolfolk dies: Earth, Wind & Fire’s longtime saxophonist was 71 years old

Andrew Wolfolk, who played saxophone in the Grammy-winning R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire in the early 70’s and 80’s, passed away after a long illness. He was 71 years old. EWF’s Philip Bailey announced the story on social media.

“Good memories. Great talent,” wrote the singer about Wolfolk.

Death of Hollywood and the media in 2022: photo gallery

Woolfolk played with Earth, Wind & Fire when they were one of the biggest R&B groups in the country, joining the band in 1973 and playing on their gold or platinum albums. heading towards the sky Until 1983 power light And beyond. The band released eight consecutive Top 10 albums between 1975 and 1981, even reaching the top of the charts. is the world And a live kit Gratitude.

Earth, Wind & Fire also had seven top 10 pop singles during that era, starting with “Shining Star”, which hit the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1975, and won a Grammy, ending with “Let’s Groove” , which went on to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1975. five weeks at number one. 3 in 1981. His other biggest hits included “Sing a Song”, the Beatles version of “Got to Get You Into My Life” (from 1978). Sergeant Pepper Film), the disco classics “September” and “Boogie Wonderland” – with emotions the latter – and the double Grammy winner “After the Love Has Gone”. The EWF also landed number eight on Billboard’s R&B singles chart.

The group won six Grammy Awards in 1975-2005 and a total of 17 nominations.

Watch the official video of “September” here:

His 1978 compilation. The best of earth, wind and fire It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 5 million units in the United States.

Wolfolk and his band members appeared and wrote the soundtrack for the 1975 film. It’s the world – It was later refurbished Shining star – In the role of Harvey Keitel as a record executive tasked with disbanding a young group. The album would become a true commercial success for the EWF, spending three weeks on the Billboard 200 and being nominated among them. cheerful stones The 500 best albums of all time.

The band were also widely known for their dazzling costumes and sophisticated, high-energy live performances, including a concert at the 2005 Super Bowl Pregame Show.

Born on October 11, 1950 in Texas and raised in Colorado, Wolfolk officially left the band in 1993 but later reunited on tour. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and Wolfolk played the saxophone solo at the investiture ceremony during “Dazzling Star”.

Saxon also played the recordings of Valerie Carter and Dennis Williams and Bailey’s two solo gospel records in the mid-1980s on EWF.

She is also inducted into the Vocal Groups Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.