Woolfolk, a longtime member of Earth, Wind & Fire, whose sweet instrument made songs like “September” impossible not to dance, has died, said band member Philip Bailey. Woolfolk was 71. Bailey, co-lead singer of the genre group, told Instagram that Woolfolk died after a six-year illness.
“I met him in high school and we quickly became friends and colleagues in the group,” Bailey wrote. “Great memories. Great talent. Fun. Racing. Fast wit. And always styling.”
Woolfolk joined the band in the early 1970s, according to the band’s official list. EW&F’s line-up changed frequently over the years, but Woolfolk officially played the saxophone (as well as the flute and percussion) with the band until 1993.
But he did not initially plan to join the band – as Bailey describes in his 2014 memoir “Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire”, Woolfolk was studying music in New York when Bailey called and asked. to join the band after the two played together in Denver. Woolfolk became known as one of the “original nine”, Bailey writes.
While touring with the band, Woolfolk stopped the cold concert with a saxophone solo, conquering the stage, while the rest of his band joined. He was not the leader of the band, but on stage he had the unmistakable charisma of a star.
Offstage, Bailey wrote in her memoirs, Woolfolk was a “cheerful joker” who could fill the trash can of your hotel room with hot water and balance it on your bedroom door, just waiting for you to return late at night. “.
In addition to EW&F albums, Woolfolk also recorded with Phil Collins and Bailey for the latter’s solo efforts.
In 2000, Woolfolk was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with his fellow original members of Earth, Wind & Fire. That night, Woolfolk, the only member of the band wearing a fiery red jacket, performed a winning solo at Shining Star.
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