In memory of Maurice White

Earth, Wind & Fire's founder, Maurice White, was one of the band's guiding lights as a writer and vocalist.   Among the best hits he co-wrote, in my opinion, were:

• Fantasy (The progression of verses to the chorus is extremely smooth.  It's one of the band's best-structured hits.)
• Reasons (A heartfelt ballad that's especially fit for Valentine's Day.)
• September (Possibly the group's most infectious hit, with excellent use of horns, powerful vocals, and a great sing-along chorus.  It's one of the most upbeat songs about nostalgia ever recorded.)
• That's The Way Of The World (Promotes an admirably optimistic outlook on life; it's one of the band's most comforting tracks.) 

Other noteworthy tracks that White co-wrote were:

• Help Somebody (One of the group's early tracks; it's an early '70s tune with a late '60s let's-all-look-out-for-each-other sensibility.)
• Keep Your Head To The Sky (A laid back track from early in the group's career that showed where the band's sound was headed commercially; it should have been a mainstream hit.)
• Sun Goddess (This title track from a Ramsey Lewis album is an excellent seize-the-day anthem.  Instrumentally, it hooks you from the first note, and the tune's recurring vocal punctuation should make anyone want to get out of bed and take on the world.  This was one of my favorite songs to play on KNJZ.)

While many listeners would contend that Ben E. King's version of "Stand By Me" is the only proper one, White's cover of it should be appreciated more.  White deserves credit for energizing a well-known tune and infusing it with joy.  When it was released in 1985, it received only a fraction of the airplay it deserved.

It's reassuring to know that White's positive outlook will live on through many excellent recordings.