If there is no Earth, Wind & Fire article in the month of September then something is wrong. This legendary group has countless classics. So, you have your choice of concert posters to choose from; different eras abound for diehards and casuals alike.
I might be a bit different in which eras I choose. The influence this group has had on Hip-Hop is extensive. It's honestly a debate on which sampled EWF track that I want to focus on below because there are so many. From Jay-Z to A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott to Tupac Shakur, there really isn't a right answer when it comes to a sampled track.
Earth, Wind & Fire has something for everyone
This group has been around for over half a century. That in itself deserves a moment to reflect on. I'm going to start at a very strange place to get going. Normally you might think of a band's formative years or perhaps their peak years (not sure there's been a peak for these guys though). Due to the poster that's getting discussed though, it'll be a look at their transitional period. With accolades coming in left and right, the 1990s into the 2000s were almost a last hurrah of sorts.
A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Playing for the President of the United States and the King of Morocco at the same White House dinner. Earth, Wind & Fire was being fully appreciated for their numerous contributions to music. Playing this venue is definitely a cherry on top.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside of Denver, Colorado is basically on every single musician's must-play list. The outdoor venue is iconic and has great natural acoustics. This particular show took place just two months after playing the White House; it was also about four months after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
It's a simple poster, all one color with a pretty basic group photo. In terms of collectability, it's nothing out of the ordinary. For this Colorado original, however, it's a very neat and affordable addition. With shipping, it's a respectable $16. There are plenty of pricier collectible pieces, but posters like this feel like a good starting point.
Throwing it back
The above poster is a bit more in line when it comes to thinking about Earth, Wind & Fire. 1979 is the year this group dropped I Am, their 9th studio album. The album rose to #1 on the Billboard Soul charts. It went #3 on the Billboard 200 charts and went double platinum before rappers were bragging about this feat. A globally televised performance of "September" went on the airwaves for the Music for UNICEF concert and earned an Emmy for that concert.
For any other band, this might be the height of their popularity. For EWF, it's one of many. This U.S Tour that took place in 1979 happened amongst all these accolades. This particular poster advertises the Nashville, Tennessee show, taking place a mere four months after the album drop. I can only guess at how amazing this tour was. Collecting a piece of this history seems well worth it, and very affordable at $25 on eBay.
As always, collecting comes down to your preferred era of a group with this extensive of a career. That's one of the benefits of enjoying a storied group, there are countless starting points.
