Keep your head to the sky…..Requiem for Brother ‘Reese

My post here is a personal one, folks.. I’ll start off by saying, this one hurts. A music hero is gone after 74 years of being here with us. Why does the passing of the great MAURICE WHITE hit so hard, like when fellow Chicago legend Don Cornelius left this earth four years ago this very week? It’s because – like the Soul Train man – Maurice, along with his band of brothers and sisters called EARTH WIND AND FIRE came along at a time when a young, nerdy Black kid like me had heroes. The 1970’s had more than its share – and God knows we needed them.

With the last days of the Vietnam War, the beginning of the Women’s Liberation Movement, the challenges faced by the Black Panthers, the Attica prison uprising and other events raging in the foreground – the message ‘Reece and company brought to the world was one of love, serenity, POSITIVITY, taking charge of your life and being RESPONSIBLE for your destiny made us think and take action. The grooves got us boogieing on the dance floor. The ballads – whether it was about the heart or the heartache – helped us heal and feel.

For me, Maurice White – born in Memphis, raised in Chicago – and EWF came at the right time in my life. The year was 1973 and the album, “Head To The Sky”. My brother, Jesse, brought the record to the house during his last year at Brockport State. For this then-seven-year old kid, it was a record like none other. Long jams – such as “Zanzibar” – and the warning of negative forces in “Evil” as well as the inspirational “Build Your Nest,” sounded like hymns set to funk and soul. I was hooked.

Big brother Jesse was kind enough to part with “Head To The Sky” and 1974’s “Open Our Eyes”. But in 1975, yours truly got his own EWF disc, the best-selling “That’s The Way Of The World.” This was THE record that got me through many good times and bad moments, from my ‘tween years through high school, then college. It was the one album I’d play every Saturday morning between 7 and 8 am. Put it simply – playing the record, to me, was like going to church.

‘Reece’s vision was crystal clear when he formed Earth, Wind and Fire in 1970 (after a stint as the Salty Peppers) – to create a band that would help spread a positive message and bring people together. Then again, even the recordings he worked on during the 1960’s – prior to forming EWF – had done so. As a session drummer in Chicago, Maurice provided the backbeat for several classics.

Here’s the short list of tunes featuring ‘Reece on the funky drums – “The Shoop Shoop Song” (Betty Everett), “Rescue Me” (Fontella Bass), “I Do Love You,” “Sitting In The Park” and “Summertime” – all by Billy Stewart. “Run For Cover” (the Dells), “It’s All Over” (Walter Jackson – the 1964 version on OKeh). Then there’s his tenure with Ramsey Lewis – “Wade In The Water,” “Jade East,” “Julia,” “Maiden Voyage” and, with Earth Wind & Fire – 1974’s “Sun Goddess.” All in all (to quote an EWF disc), these hits brought music fans of all backgrounds together under a soulful groove – with Maurice at the drummer’s throne.

‘Reece expanded his reach when he formed Kalimba Productions in 1974 (named after the instrument he had seen Dr. Richard Evans use on the Soulful Strings’ “Burning Spear” in 1968, which Maurice would play on many EWF records). With mentors such as the late Charles Stepney as co-pilot (or should I say, co-producer and arranger), Maurice produced fellow Chicagoans such as the Emotions (“Best Of My Love”) and Deniece Williams (“Free”). He went a step further in ’78 by launching a label with Columbia Records – the American Recording Company. The hits kept coming from the acts he worked with, especially Earth, Wind and Fire.

The ‘80’s brought changes in the industry and Maurice did his best to lead his musical charges through until a well-needed break came in 1985. A solo album was released with his funky take on “Stand By Me”. Then, EWF regrouped and came back strong with “Touch The World” in 1987. However, by the early-mid 1990’s, ‘Reece was faced with the challenges brought on by Parkinson’s disease. The band kept touring while he stayed in the studio to create music. The new century brought the “legendary lineup” (1973-1983) back together when Earth Wind and Fire were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

‘Reece went quietly and peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday night, February 3rd. This drum major went home to be with those who left before him – Charles Stepney, Fontella Bass, Minnie Riperton, Richard Evans, Jessica Cleaves (who joined EWF for a brief spell after leaving the Friends of Distinction), Roland Bautista (EWF guitarist in the early ’70s who rejoined the band in 1981) as well as Marvin Junior and Johnny Carter of the Dells, to name a few.

So yes, I am sad and the tears flowed as I sat here at home, writing this post to honor one of my music business heroes, whose songs inspired me for many years and will continue to do so. At the same time, there is room to celebrate his life. To show gratitude (yes, I name-dropped that album on purpose) for Maurice White – who had the vision based on the elements, brought together a hell of a team to create great music and to give all who’d listen a very happy feeling.

So, to Maurice White, thank you for the music and your leadership. You will be missed.

“If there ain’t no beauty, you gotta MAKE some beauty.” Amen, ‘Reece.

Kevin Goins