After the Love is Gone - Earth, Wind & Fire (Fred White Tribute) (1979) 1/3/23

It's rather depressing. We're only 3 days into 2023, and we've already had several notable deaths to ponder. In the music world alone, we've said goodbye to Anita Pointer (see yesterday's post) , and today, it's Fred White of Earth, Wind and Fire--who passed away at the age of 74. Once again, I defer to Variety Magazine: https://variety.com/.../fred-white-dead-earth-wind-fire.../

Fred was the drummer on most of EW&F's Greatest Songs, and with the group, which included his brothers Maurice (deceased) and Verdine, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

In addition, EW&F is in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame, and Hollywood's Rockwalk. They have a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Congressional Horizon Award, and they were in saluted during the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors. Whew!!!

Today, In honor of Fred, were highlighting Earth, Wind & Fire's "Great Song of 1979:" "After the Love Has Gone."

It was written in part by legendary songwriter, pianist and producer David Foster (who is currently married to Katharine McPhee).

In July of 1979, "After the Love Has Gone" was released as a single from the album 'I Am," and music critics went nuts! Here are some partial quotes:

"An exercise in classic songcraft."" "Vocal counterpoint harmony genius in full glory. "Unexpected wonderful progressions." "Probably the best ballad EW&F has ever recorded."

"After the Love Has Gone" was nominated for FOUR Grammys: Record of the Year, Song of the Year and they won for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group AND Best R&B Song!

Of course, fans and radio listeners loved the song as well, making it a triple Top 3 hit in the US: #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B Charts, and #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

There is absolutely no doubt that "After the Love Has Gone" was a "Great Song of 1979," and that Fred White was a big [part of it as a key member of Earth, Wind and Fire throughout the entire decade! Rest in Peace, Fred. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kHFyMaga7M