Is Earth, Wind & Fire still recording?
—Charles West, Oakland, California
The group just released “Now, Then & Forever,” its first studio recording in eight years. Lead vocalist Philip Bailey, 62, a Denver, Colorado, native, says he believes the band “finally bought into the idea that if it isn’t broke, we didn’t need to fix it.” Founded by Maurice White in 1969, EW&F performs about 200 dates a year. Among its hits are “Shining Star,” “That’s the Way of the World,” “After the Love Has Gone” and “September.”