ST. LOUIS — It was an evening of jubilant dance breaks and stellar musicianship at St. Louis Music Park on Tuesday night, as American pop legends Earth, Wind & Fire took the stage.

Fans of all ages braved the elevated temperatures to see the six-time Grammy Award-winning band run through nearly 60 years of hits. But the last surviving founding member, bassist Verdine White, wasn’t present.

With Raymond McKinley filling in for White, Phillip Bailey, B. David Whitworth and Ralph Johnson on vocals and Bailey’s son, Phillip Bailey Jr., on background vocals, EWF performed as a restructured unit.

Considering how band member shifts are a part of the group’s longstanding history, EWF held down the stage with fun-filled precision, despite White’s absence. Yet, there were noticeable vocal flaws throughout the show, including a few cracked falsettos and instances of forgotten lyrics.

EWF kicked off its 98-minute set with its 1975 hit “Shining Star,” immediately teleporting each audience member to memory lane. Relying mainly on flashing lights and projector visuals as effects, the band focused more on bouncing between instruments and singing than fancy on-stage bells and whistles as they jogged through 21 fan-favorite records.

“True Earth, Wind & Fire fans don’t mind songs that weren’t Top 10 on the charts because they were Top 10 in their hearts,” the elder Bailey said as he welcomed the crowd.

A member of EWF since 1972, Bailey vocally carried the performance. Juggling both the falsetto and alto harmonies, he was a musical ringmaster on “Reasons.” He was also a crowd pleaser on “Gotta Get You Into My Life” as his sequin shirt and black leather pants shined under the stage lights.

Like the rest of the band, he bounced between vocals and playing instruments, tackling the congas on “Serpentine Fire” and grabbing the kalimba, a handheld thumb piano, for the 1974 track “Kalimba’s Story.”

With Bailey’s son and longtime bandmates on stage, EWF’s set felt like a family affair with everyone having their chance in the spotlight. They blended beautiful acapella vocals towards the end of “Sing a Message to You,” and the audience morphed into one big, happy family as they flooded the aisles to hit the Electric Slide during “September.”

Earth Wind & Fire brave heat, perform at St. Louis Music Park

Philip Bailey Jr. and Earth Wind and Fire perform for fans on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights.

The nonstop dance moves helped distract concertgoers from subtle lowlights throughout the show. Although he started off strong, Phillip Bailey Jr. struggled with the falsettos on “Jupiter” with his voice cracking throughout the verse. His background vocals on “That’s the Way of the World” were practically inaudible before his father grabbed the microphone to sing along.

Whitworth’s performance was also full of highs and lows. He kicked his legs high in the air, displaying dynamic, high energy all night as he worked the stage. But his vocals fell flat on “Sing a Song,” and he appeared to forget the lyrics during his verse on “Boogie Wonderland.”

He shined more in his role as a percussionist and performer, where it was apparent that Whitworth still had the moves and a bag full of on-stage tricks. He played the cymbals behind his back on “Reasons,” playfully acted out the lyrics on “Can’t Hide Love,” and leaped into the air midway through “Fantasy,” dramatically striking the cymbal with his left foot.

The high level of instrumentation served up Tuesday night was the highlight of the show. It felt ancestral as melodies and rhythms created by the original members flowed through the instruments of current bandmates, carrying on the EWF legacy.

The band paid homage to founder Maurice White during “That’s the Way of the World,” by projecting an image of the late bandleader onto a backdrop as guitarist Morris O’Connor delivered an electrifying solo that sent chills down spines. Midway through “Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo),” keyboardist Myron McKinley broke into a rhythmic frenzy. He could hardly remain in his seat as he struck the keys, running his finger across the instrument like a glissando-playing madman.

EWF is known for having one of the most celebrated horn sections in American music history. Trumpeter Bobby Burns Jr. and trombone player Reggie Young brought funky vibes to songs like “Let Your Feelings Show.” Gary Bias delivered multiple sweet saxophone solos throughout the night. He gracefully glided through the notes on “Reasons,” slowing down the rhythm for a quick build-up as Bailey’s falsetto rang throughout the venue.

Although he had big shoes to fill, McKinley didn’t miss a beat as he stood in for one of the greatest bassists of all time. He kept the tempo on “Devotion,” delivering standout bass thumps dripping with soul. McKinley also delivered a showstopping solo at the beginning of the show, riding the beat like a surfer as the audience danced in front of the stage.

It was evident on night that age had caught up with EWF. But that didn’t stop the groove as they bounced between instruments with ease, thrusting their arms in the air with excitement and hitting synchronized choreography to some of the best-selling songs in history.

Not even time can stop the elements.

Earth, Wind and Fire set list

”Shining Star / Let Your Feelings Show”

”System of Survival”

”Serpentine Fire”

”Raymond McKinley Bass Solo”

”Jupiter”

”Sing a Song”

”Got to Get You Into My Life”

”Kalimba Story”

”Sing a Message to You”

”Devotion”

”Can't Hide Love”

”Reasons”

”After the Love Has Gone”

”That's the Way of the World”

”Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo)”

”Fantasy”

”Boogie Wonderland”

”Let's Groove”

”September”

”In the Stone”

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Earth Wind and Fire, with original members Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson, joined B. David Whitworth and Philip Bailey Jr. to warm up fans at St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights.

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