Ralph Johnson’s 50 years with Earth, Wind & Fire

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I grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire’s dance music and played plenty of it as a club DJ in the 1980s.

Lots of the group’s music is still doing the rounds thanks to remixed versions bringing them up to date with added drums, percussion and synth embellishments – there really are some excellent remixes around; many released last year and a few so far this year.

Ralph Johnson was 19 when he auditioned for Maurice White to be the band’s drummer. Ralph is 68 now, and like EWF, is still going strong.

Earth, Wind & Fire is currently on tour in the US, but on the side Ralph has moved into smooth jazz with the release Co-Swagit with singer Andrea Lisa.

As host of a jazz radio show I was privileged to speak with Ralph about his career and passion for jazz.

Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire.