Loading...

PODCAST

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire

A deep-dive documentary-style series that tracks the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire’s music, personnel, and the hundreds of musicians and artists they collaborated with and influenced over the last half-century.

music music history

All Episodes

00:57:16

Minnie Riperton's "Come to My Garden"

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/10/09

Doc Brooks welcomes special guest Brittnay L. Proctor, Ph.D. for a deep dive into Minnie Riperton's debut solo album, Come to My Garden. The celebrated album, produced and arranged by Charles Stepney was released in 1970 and included several famed musicians such as Ramsey Lewis, Maurice White, Cleveland Eaton, Phil Upchurch, and Sidney Barnes. Most of the songs' lyrics were written by Riperton's partner and future husband, Richard Rudolph. Professor Proctor's book, Come to My Garden is part of

en

00:21:13

Charles Comes to Minnie's Garden

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/10/02

Episode #13: "Charles Comes to Minnie's Garden". Doc Brooks takes you inside the Tel Mar Studio for a November 1969 recording session. Charles Stepney led a group of distinguished musicians that included Maurice White, Ramsey Lewis, Cleveland Eaton, and Phil Upchurch to record Minnie Riperton's debut solo album, Come to My Garden.

en

00:19:22

Inside the Podcast: Updates, Corrections & What's Ahead

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/09/26

Doc Brooks provides some health updates on members of the Earth, Wind & Fire family. He also shares Verdine White's recent news about a new song released by him and his late brother, Maurice White. Doc also provides a few corrections from previous episodes and tells you what's in store in upcoming episodes. The episode concludes with a short tribute to the award-winning producer/songwriter who composed this podcast's opening and closing theme music.

en

00:24:14

Special Edpisode: September 21st

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/09/21

Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day! Doc Brooks celebrates this special day with a deep dive into EWF's iconic "September." Doc introduces you to Allee Willis, takes you inside the funk guitar work of Al McKay, and explores some of the stories behind one of the most successful and enduring tracks in music history.

en

00:48:10

Part 2 with Soleh Brewer: The Salty Peppers and Beyond

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/09/18

Episode #10 is part two with Soleh Brewer. Doc Brooks and Soleh discuss some of the members of The Salty Peppers and their enduring legacies with Earth, Wind and Fire. YouTube subscribers are encouraged to subscribe (it's free). Please check out each episode's playlist on Spotify.

en

00:25:45

The Official Earth, Wind & Fire Legacy With Guest...

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/09/11

Episode #9 is the first of two parts featuring Soleh Brewer, a musician with close ties to several former and current members of Earth, Wind & Fire. We learn of Soleh's early career in music and his love of Earth, Wind & Fire. Soleh also discusses his role in creating Facebook groups dedicated to the legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to the podcast AND each episode's playlist on Spotify.

en

00:27:33

Meet The Salty Peppers

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/09/04

Host Doc Brooks takes you inside Chicago's Audio Finishers Studio for a special recording session led by Maurice White and featuring several distinguished musicians such as Louis Satterfield, Pete Cosey, and the legendary Donny Hathaway. Nine songs were recorded under a band named The Salty Peppers. Meet each member of The Salty Peppers while learning some little-known facts about Donny Hathaway and this historic recording session.

en

00:22:26

Creating His Concept

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/08/29

In 1968, America was sick. Protests set cities on fire and college campuses were rocked by demonstrations against the war in Vietnam . Maurice White, like so many other musicians, responded through his music. This is the context that Maurice White developed his concept of Earth, Wind & Fire. This episode tracks White's decision to invite 10 musicians to record and release songs under a band named "The Salty Peppers." Listen to this episode's playlist on Spotify.

en

00:17:14

Kalimba Stories

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/08/17

"Kalimba Stories" continues Maurice White's time with The Ramsey Lewis Trio that includes his interest in Chicago's Black Arts Movement. White was a frequent visitor to the Affro-Arts Theater establsihed by Phil Cohran, who also created the African Heritage Ensemble and recruited members from Chess Records' rhythm section (Louis Satterfield and Don Myrick). White fell in love with the Kalimba--African thumb piano played by Cohran, believed to be the first to amplify the instrument, what he called

en

00:18:55

Around the World with Ramsey Lewis

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/08/07

This episode explores Maurice White's beginnings with The Ramsey Lewis Trio and the various influences that helped shaped the genesis of Earth, Wind & Fire. Follow this episode's playlist on Spotify.Unfortuantely, the link to the YouTube video of the 1982 reunion of the Ramsey Lewis Trio (before Maurice White and Cleveland Eaton joined in 1966) may no longer be available.

en

00:24:20

Playing Chess in Chicago

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/07/31

Episode #4, Playing Chess in Chicago focuses on Maurice White's work at Chicago's legendary Chess Records. White pays homage to Chess's A&R man Billy Davis, singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield, and vocalist Billy Stewart. White joins other noted musicians on Fontella Bass's 1965 hit song, "Rescue Me", and we are introduced to innovative arranger & vibraphonist Charles Stepney. The episode closes with an invitation to Maurice White from Ramsey Lewis. Follow each episode's playlist on Spotify

en

00:19:14

Welcome to Chicago, Maurice White

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/07/25

Episode #3, "Welcome to Chicago, Maurice White" examines Maurice White's initial years in Chicago. From St. Luke's Presbyterian Hospital to Crane Junior College, the Jazzmen, and Vee-Jay Records, White's dream shifted from medicine to music.These were the formative years where his journey toward stardom truly began. Here's a link to the YouTube recording of Maurice White and the Jazzmen performing at the 1963 Collegiate Jazz Festival: https://www.youtube.com/GT5fRSTidU8

en

00:23:40

Maurice White the Drummer

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/07/20

Unlock the young Maurice White's journey from Memphis jazz enthusiast to legendary bandleader of Earth, Wind & Fire. Before the fame, there was a shy boy with drumsticks, inspired by Memphis’s vibrant music scene and mentored by jazz icons like Joe Dukes. White's early life reveals how music education, personal and professional partnerships, and his own resilience set him on the path to global stardom—and how a heartbreaking goodbye in Memphis propelled him toward Chicago’s bustling music

en

00:14:34

Maurice White and the Seeds of Earth, Wind & Fire

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/07/19

Episode 1 of Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire provides a deep dive into the youth of Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White gowing up in Memphis with Mama after his birth mother Edna leaves "Sandy" in her care when she moves to Chicago to find better work.Listen to the episode's playlist on Spotify. Email: trackingewf@gmail.com

en

00:22:35

Launch Episode: The Legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire

Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire ·

2026/07/17

This special launch of the podcast Tracking Earth, Wind & Fire, provides a deep dive into the enduring leagacy of Earth, Wind & Fire. Host Doc Brooks provides an overview of the band's legacy and previews future podcast episode topics. Audiences are invited to subscribe to the podcast, follow each episode's playlist on Spotify, and email comments to trackingewf@gmail.com.

en

15 results

Similar Podcasts

The Shizzio Show

Shizzio

Powertools Mixshow

Powertools Mixshow

Blues History: This Week In The Blues

Big Train and the Loco Motives

岚调 FM｜一个人 , 一小时 ,夜色如歌

DJ小岚

Music History Today Network

Music History Today Podcast Network