Today is soul singer Philip Bailey’s 60th birthday today. Check out some interesting facts on the man who has created so many classics as a soloist and with his group, Earth, Wind and Fire.
1. Philip Irvin Bailey, an American gospel, soul and funk singer was born in May 8, 1951 in Denver, Colorado.
2. Philip Bailey was in a local R&B band called Friends and Love and his early influences included jazz legends like John Coltrane and Max Roach, Miles Davis and the Motown Sound.
3. Bailey was an integral part of a legendery singing group called Earth, Wind & Fire together with founder Maurice White, Jessica Cleaves (vocals – formerly of the R&B group The Friends of Distinction), Ronnie Laws (flute, saxophone), Roland Bautista (guitar), Larry Dunn (keyboard), Ralph Johnson (percussion) and Philip Bailey (vocals)
4. Earth, Wind & Fire have over 50 Gold and Platinum album The group has also sold over 90 millions records worldwide
5. EWF and Bailey were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000
6. Bailey’s most notable solo song was a duet called “Easy Lover” with Phil Collins, which was released in 1984 on Columbia Records.
7. Bailey’s first gospel album “The Wonders of His Love” was released in 1985 and the release reached number 13 and 17 on the Top Contemporary Christian and Top Gospel Albums charts, respectively.
8. In 1986 Bailey released his second gospel album “Triumph” and the release won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Male. The album also reached number 18 on the Top Contemporary Christian charts.
9. Bailey released his third gospel album “Family Affair” in 1989 on which Sheldon Reynolds and Kirk Whalum appeared.
10. Philip released his first jazz album “Dreams” in 1999 and second jazz album “Soul on Jazz” in 2002.
*One for the road:
President Obama invited EWF to perform at the White House for the first major event of the new administration.
Share this content:
