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Earth Wind & Fire becomes first African American group inducted into Kennedy Center Honors

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Earth, Wind & Fire became the first Black group to be inducted into the Kennedy Center Honors, reports Billboard. The fusion band’s original members: Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson and Verdine White were on hand, while EWF founder and visionary Maurice White, who died in 2016, notably was in the house in spirit. Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and “Sesame Street,” which celebrates its 50th birthday this year, rounded out this year’s class. “You can’t play any Earth Wind & Fire songs without Maurice’s DNA being on it, so he’s always here and we’re always celebrating him and his vision,” Johnson told Billboard pre-show. “People are still coming together and having fun.” EWF’s tribute segment, introduced by “After the Love is Gone” co-writer David Foster, had the bipartisan audience up and dancing to the band’s many hits, delivered by Cynthia Erivo, John Legend, the Jonas Brothers and Ne-Yo that culminated in an ensemble finale of “September.” The 42nd Honors hosted a particularly robust number of politicians, among them Cabinet members Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Also present were more than 40 members of Congress, including the senior Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who when mentioned by Center board chair David Rubenstein got a standing ovation as big as the honorees. EWF will mark 50 years of groove next summer, a milestone already on the minds of its members, whom White said have had “a special chemistry from day one, because we were all hand-picked by Maurice. He had a vision and he knew what he wanted, so here we are.” The trio alluded to a possible upcoming duets album, though stopped short of sharing details about potential collaborators. “We’re making a list, and checking it twice,” said Bailey. “And you’ll hear about it soon.” Of the group’s designation as the KCH’s first African-American band, Bailey said, “There are so many more African-American acts that are deserving and perhaps this can be the first of many more to come.”

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