Earth, Wind & Fire proved music 'could change the world'

In the pantheon of all-time great American bands, Earth, Wind & Fire ranks right up there with KISS, the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, Aerosmith, the Band, the Beach Boys and the Eagles. If you think about it, Earth, Wind & Fire employed elements of each of those acts: The live show was a marvel; the musicianship was mesmerizing; the act had style for days; and the melodies and harmonies were sublime, rivaling anything from those last three groups.