Earth, Wind & Fire
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena – Atlantic City, NJ – December 6, 2026
Review & Photos – Rebecca Wolf
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccawolfconcertphotos/
Several days before I was set to see Earth, Wind & Fire perform on December 6th, 2025 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, a friend sent me a copied and pasted text stating the band’s bass player, Verdine White, was recovering from a medical issue and may not be currently tour with the band. I was beyond disappointed at this possibility. Would White’s absence change the vocal sound of the band? No. Would I notice a difference if there was another skilled bassist playing Earth, Wind & Fire’s rhythmic beats? Highly unlikely. However, would I miss the exuberant, animated, eye-catching moves and expressions made by White during an Earth, Wind & Fire performance? Absolutely, without a doubt. The absence of Verdine White would create a void no one else could fill in quite the same way.
Not wanting to face this possibility at that moment, I did not investigate the situation any further. However, the day before the show I was ready to discover the reality of the situation and googled whether Verdine White was currently on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. When the answer was “Yes” I was ecstatic, followed by a moment of doubt. I’d read the text that stated White was recovering from a medical issue. What was that about? Well, White HAD been in recovery…. in July! A smile spread across my face as I pictured White strutting with his long legs around the stage, reaching his arms high in the air and showcasing his incredible, abounding exuberance.
More than a half-century has passed since Maurice White (1941-2016) formed Earth, Wind & Fire along with remaining original members, Philip Bailey, vocals, kalimba, conga, and percussion, Verdine White bass, percussion and vocals, Ralph Johnson, drums, percussion and vocals. Over the past five decades many musicians have come and gone from the band. However, the majority of current band members have been a part of the band for more than 20 years. This includes B. David Whitworth, vocals and percussion, Morris O’Connor, lead guitar and vocals, Serg Dimitrijevic, rhythm guitar and vocals, John Paris, drums and vocals, Myron McKinley, keyboards and musical director, Philip Bailey Jr., percussion and vocals and The Earth, Wind & Fire Horns, Gary Bias, saxophone, Bobby Burns, Jr, trumpet and Reggie Young, trombone.
While the music of Earth, Wind & Fire is rooted in the 70s it transcends time. It’s powerful, distinct, vibrant rhythm and blues sound is infused with funk, pop and soul, and remains as electrifying and fresh as it did decades ago. It’s the music’s timelessness, performed by vocalists and musicians who continue to create Earth, Wind and Fire’s incredible sound and spirit, that have fans packing venues across the country year after year.
A buzz of excitement and anticipation was heard throughout the Etess Arena while fans entered and began to fill the venue’s 7000 seats. Ten minutes prior to showtime a projection of the band’s emblem and name, along with a digital countdown, illuminated the darkened stage. As the clock reached 00:00 the arena lights dimmed and cheers and hoots rang out in the crowd. Suddenly, the stage was filled with vividly colored photos and dramatic music and a video retrospective played on the stage backdrop, reminding all of Earth, Wind & Fire’s spectacular, memorable musical history. As the video came to a close the stage returned to black and the crowd hushed. Slowly the lights began to rise, opening notes of 1975’s No. 1 hit “Shining Star” began to play and band members emerged on stage. As they raised their arms in the air, clapping to the beat, audience members enthusiastically joined in. The electricity reached a peak (the first of many that evening) as the stage suddenly was bathed in vibrant lights, as Philip Bailey arrived center-stage flanked on either side by Verdine White and Ralph Johnson, and the evening’s dynamic, color-filled, full-stage production began.
Fans immediately rose to their feet, passionately clapping and singing along to, “You’re a shining star, no matter who you are.” This level of exuberance continued throughout the hour and a half performance, both in the audience and onstage. From the opening number until the evening’s final note, there was never a time when band members weren’t in motion, as they traveled about the stage while singing and performing on their instruments. Philip Bailey sang lead vocals at center-stage during one number, and played congas and sang from stage left the next. He showcased vocals that remain beautifully powerful, rich and melodic, as well as an incredible vocal range, clearly apparent during the passionate ballad “Reasons,” where Bailey hit a piercing note that could’ve broken glass. While Bailey impressed with his vocals, White garnered attention as the showman with dramatic facial expressions, his broad toothy smile, his long-legged strides around the stage in shiny, sequined, leopard-print pants, and his arms raised in the air in triumph.
The electricity on stage undoubtedly contributed to the high-spirits and energy of the crowd. The band’s hits, including “Sing a Song,” “Got to Get You Into My Life” (The Beatles cover), “Fantasy,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove,” and of course “September” undoubtedly had everyone singing along with gusto. It was also clear that many in the audience were passionate Earth, Wind & Fire fans well beyond the band’s “greatest hits.” These fans could be seen and heard signing along to songs, including “System of Survival,” “Serpentine Fire,” “Jupiter,” “Kalimba Story” and “Devotion.” However, knowing every number was not a prerequisite for remaining engaged at an Earth, Wind and Fire performance. The music, the musicianship, the lights and the stage performance create a thrilling musical experience that’s been drawing fans to performances for more than 50 years.
While Earth, Wind & Fire was born more than a half-century ago, the music still feels timeless. May the music continue to transcend time and the future embrace this vibrant, high-spirited, electrifying rhythm and blues, soul, funk sound so there will still be a “Boogie Wonderland” where everyone will be able to “Sing a Song.”
