Devotion

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice reconnects with siblings, carrying abandonment and guarded family feelings.

Interlude, No. 3

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice moves to Chicago and enrolls in the conservatory.

California Soul

Marlena Shaw

Maurice drums at Chess Records amid Chicago’s soul scene.

Interlude, No. 3

Earth, Wind & Fire

Chicago’s Black Arts Movement reframes Black identity through Africa.

Sun Goddess (feat. Ramsey Lewis)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice leaves Ramsey Lewis after visualizing Earth, Wind & Fire.

Help Somebody

Earth, Wind & Fire

In band footage, Maurice White names Earth, Wind & Fire.

Energy

Earth, Wind & Fire

Early Earth, Wind & Fire experiments, struggles, and clashes over leadership.

Kalimba Story

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice rebuilds the band with Verdine, Ralph, and Philip.

Remember the Children

Earth, Wind & Fire

At Uptown Theatre, Earth, Wind & Fire stands apart from doo-wop acts.

Power

Earth, Wind & Fire

The revamped band wins over the crowd with a funk groove.

Africano

Earth, Wind & Fire

Interviewees say Maurice had to be tough leading Black musicians.

Departure (The Traveler)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice calls Bob Cavallo, who checks out the band.

In the Marketplace (Interlude)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Bob Cavallo agrees to manage Earth, Wind & Fire.

Evil

Earth, Wind & Fire

In concert footage, Earth, Wind & Fire perform after signing with Columbia.

Get Off Your Ass And Jam

Funkadelic

At Washington Armory, Funkadelic performs while members recount losing the crowd.

Mighty Mighty

Earth, Wind & Fire

Musicians tighten grooves before “Mighty Mighty” breaks on Black radio.

Time Is on Your Side

Earth, Wind & Fire

Archival performance plays “Time Is On Your Side” with cosmic uplift.

Africano

Earth, Wind & Fire

TV exposure boosts Earth, Wind & Fire’s mainstream crossover confidence.

That's the Way of the World

Earth, Wind & Fire

Interviewees praise “That’s the Way of the World” as spiritual gospel.

Departure (The Traveler)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Caribou Ranch inspires Maurice to write “Shining Star.”

Shining Star

Earth, Wind & Fire

The band and engineer build “Shining Star” into a roaring mix.

I Wish

Stevie Wonder

“I Wish” plays as artists connect its sound to Earth, Wind & Fire.

Shining Star

Earth, Wind & Fire

Commentators explain how “Shining Star” gave listeners positive affirmations.

Sing a Song

Earth, Wind & Fire

“Sing a Song” marks growing crowds, headline shows, and global appeal.

Getaway

Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire wins a Grammy and adds the Phenix Horns.

Saturday Nite

Earth, Wind & Fire

The band records Spirit just before Charles Stepney’s death news arrives.

Fantasy

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice discusses astral projection and aliens inspiring “Fantasy.”

In the Marketplace (Interlude)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Bill Whitten’s Africa-and-space costumes transform the band’s look.

Africano

Earth, Wind & Fire

George Faison choreographs the All ’N All tour’s theatrical staging.

Magic Mind

Earth, Wind & Fire

The band rehearses dangerous magic-and-dance staging for six months.

Serpentine Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire

In concert footage, Earth, Wind & Fire perform.

Departure (The Traveler)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Prince and Michael Jackson study Earth, Wind & Fire’s live show.

Reasons

Earth, Wind & Fire

“Reasons” plays while speakers joke it is just a sex call.

Love's Holiday

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice’s partner describes their commitment, baby, and his distant fatherhood.

Best of My Love

The Emotions

The Emotions’ “Best of My Love” highlights Maurice’s production touch.

Boogie Wonderland (with The Emotions)

Earth, Wind & Fire & The Emotions

“Boogie Wonderland” shows the band’s one serious disco move.

In the Stone

Earth, Wind & Fire

David Foster helps write I Am and brings sharper studio energy.

After The Love Has Gone

Earth, Wind & Fire

In concert and interviews, Maurice White’s family discuss his affairs and children.

Departure (The Traveler)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Maurice’s family trauma keeps his emotional door partly closed.

Let's Groove

Earth, Wind & Fire

“Let’s Groove” bridges Earth, Wind & Fire into the eighties.

Magnetic

Earth, Wind & Fire

Later albums chase commercial trends as critics miss the old groove.

Stand By Me

Maurice White

Maurice promotes his solo “Stand By Me” after the band’s slump.

Easy Lover - Live 1997

Phil Collins

Philip Bailey’s solo hit “Easy Lover” succeeds without band support.

System of Survival

Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire reunites, tours, and promises a second coming.

Shining Star

Earth, Wind & Fire

“Shining Star” appears in film before hip-hop sampling discussion.

On Your Face

Earth, Wind & Fire

Artists describe Earth, Wind & Fire shaping younger musical generations.

System Of Survival - Live

Earth, Wind & Fire

Crowds cheer as Maurice’s weakening health becomes clear.

September

Earth, Wind & Fire

“September” becomes a universal party anthem tied to family gatherings.

Fantasy

Earth, Wind & Fire

End credits