Grammy Special Honors Earth, Wind & Fire with Star‐Studded Tribute
A two-hour televised special, A GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September, paid tribute to the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire on September 21, airing on CBS and streaming via Paramount+.
Here are five standout moments from the celebration:
1. Hollywood Bowl Concert with LA Philharmonic
Rather than structuring the tribute through various cover versions alone, the special centred around Earth, Wind & Fire performing live at the Hollywood Bowl, backed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
2. Performances by Guest Artists
The show included guest performances of classic Earth, Wind & Fire songs by artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Jon Batiste, and Janelle Monáe.
3. Stevie Wonder’s Tribute
Music icon Stevie Wonder gave a heartfelt tribute during the special, mostly delivered in speech rather than song. His words served to underscore the profound influence EWF has had across music and culture.
4. Timing Tied to “September” Hit
The airing date, September 21, was a deliberate nod to Earth, Wind & Fire’s famous song “September”, which contains the lyric “the 21st night of September.” The connection added symbolic weight to the event.
5. Production and Legacy Recognition
The special was produced by Fulwell Entertainment and Grammy Studios, with Ben Winston, Patrick Menton, and Harvey Mason Jr. listed as executive producers. It served not just to entertain, but to highlight EWF’s five decades of achievement, including their genre-blending in funk, soul, jazz, R&B, and pop, and their many awards and honors over the years.