FEATURE:
The Lockdown Playlist
Philip Bailey at Seventy
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THIS is another birthday-related Lockdown Playlist…
IN THIS PHOTO: Maurice White and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire perform during the inaugural Grammy Jam Fest at the Wiltern Theatre on 11th December, 2004 in Los Angeles, California/PHOTO CREDIT: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
where I get to celebrate a great artist. Today (8th May), it is the seventieth birthday of the legendary Philip Bailey. Before rounding up with a playlist, it is worth bringing some biography for those who are not aware of who Bailey is and what he has achieved:
“Philip James Bailey (born May 8, 1951) is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter and percussionist, best known as an early member and one of the two lead singers (along with group founder Maurice White) of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. Noted for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register, Bailey has won seven Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Bailey was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with the band.
Bailey has released several solo albums. Chinese Wall from 1984, which received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, included the international hit, "Easy Lover", a duet with Phil Collins. "Easy Lover" won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance in a Video in 1985 and was Grammy nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
In May 2008, Bailey was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music at Berklee's Commencement Ceremony where he was the commencement speaker”.
I love his work with Earth, Wind & Fire, but I also really like his solo work. To honour him on his seventieth birthday, here is a selection of some incredible Earth, Wind & Fire tracks (where Bailey is either on lead or backing vocals), in addition to some of his best solo cuts. Many happy returns to…
A true legend.