The Smithsonian listened. The Classic 9 are officially included in the portrait. History stays intact.
July 12, 2019
Smithsonian Portrait Gallery - To Honor Earth, Wind & Fire Properly - You MUST Include "The Classic 9" In The Portrait Don't Rewrite Musical History!
Final supporters
***THANK YOU*** ***THANK YOU*** ***THANK YOU***
To EVERYONE that signed the petition, sent an email or called the Smithsonian directly. The image has finally been revealed and it includes Maurice White and the entire THE CLASSIC 9!!!
We are fans of and LOVE the musical group Earth, Wind & Fire.
Though initially delighted to learn of the Smithsonian’s intentions of including them in The National Portrait Gallery, we disagree on how they will be depicted.
A portrait that does not include the Founder and Creator of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White is incomplete and unacceptable.
Additionally, the exclusion of former band members, whom are all recipients of Music’s highest honors; induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award as Earth, Wind & Fire collectively, is also incomplete and unacceptable.
These band members include Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham, Al McKay, Fred White and Andrew Woolfolk.
Although Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson have done a marvelous job keeping alive the vision of Maurice White, to capture only these three in portrait as “The Earth, Wind & Fire” that has created the musical songbook that the world has come to know and love would be a travesty.
We believe that a portrait that depicts those
affectionately referred to as: “The Classic 9” would better reflect a more truthful
and historically accurate representation of the band that we know and love as
Earth, Wind & Fire.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 21, 2019
April 20, 2019
The momentum behind this continues to grow. History deserves to be documented accurately and you are proving that.
Reached 100 supporters
April 18, 2019
212 Comments
There would be no earth wind and fire without Maurice, nor the original members of the band. Please don’t distort Maurice sacred vision and his belief in numerology, which is part of the reason why there were 9 members!
I’m Philip Bailey first wife of 34 years. I was there and believe this would be unacceptable to not include all the original members. These are the ones that created the music. I feel not only will this dishonor them and Maurice but the true and loyal fans of EWF. Thank you...,
Are you serious? EWF without the genius that was Maurice White ? And those group members who shared and participated in changing the face of popular music. 1975 line please. That concert in Liverpool changed my life
History is comprised of facts- not inaccurate images that tick style or current generational boxes. Proper contextual images reflect fact. So please lets get this right, lets get the proper framing and historical context correct. Anything else is just an inaccurate fable.
There is NO Earth Wind,and Fire without Maurice White. It is,a disrespect to the legacy of their music not to include all original members. Should mention contributions of Jessica Clever as well who was the ONLY female member. Her voice is heard on their first 2 albums.
You have to have them.It's only right.
Include Maurice!
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Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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The Smithsonian listened. The Classic 9 are officially included in the portrait. History stays intact.
July 12, 2019
Smithsonian Portrait Gallery - To Honor Earth, Wind & Fire Properly - You MUST Include "The Classic 9" In The Portrait Don't Rewrite Musical History!
Final supporters
***THANK YOU*** ***THANK YOU*** ***THANK YOU***
To EVERYONE that signed the petition, sent an email or called the Smithsonian directly. The image has finally been revealed and it includes Maurice White and the entire THE CLASSIC 9!!!
We are fans of and LOVE the musical group Earth, Wind & Fire.
Though initially delighted to learn of the Smithsonian’s intentions of including them in The National Portrait Gallery, we disagree on how they will be depicted.
A portrait that does not include the Founder and Creator of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White is incomplete and unacceptable.
Additionally, the exclusion of former band members, whom are all recipients of Music’s highest honors; induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award as Earth, Wind & Fire collectively, is also incomplete and unacceptable.
These band members include Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham, Al McKay, Fred White and Andrew Woolfolk.
Although Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson have done a marvelous job keeping alive the vision of Maurice White, to capture only these three in portrait as “The Earth, Wind & Fire” that has created the musical songbook that the world has come to know and love would be a travesty.
We believe that a portrait that depicts those
affectionately referred to as: “The Classic 9” would better reflect a more truthful
and historically accurate representation of the band that we know and love as
Earth, Wind & Fire.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 21, 2019
April 20, 2019
The momentum behind this continues to grow. History deserves to be documented accurately and you are proving that.
Reached 100 supporters
April 18, 2019
212 Comments
Under no circumstances should there be a portrait without it's classic 9 together. Not just 3 members, ALL 9 Maurice, Fred, Verdine White brothers, Philip Bailey, Johnny Graham, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woolfolk, Al McKay, Ralph Johnson.
There would be no earth wind and fire without Maurice, nor the original members of the band. Please don’t distort Maurice sacred vision and his belief in numerology, which is part of the reason why there were 9 members!
I’m Philip Bailey first wife of 34 years. I was there and believe this would be unacceptable to not include all the original members. These are the ones that created the music. I feel not only will this dishonor them and Maurice but the true and loyal fans of EWF. Thank you...,
Are you serious? EWF without the genius that was Maurice White ? And those group members who shared and participated in changing the face of popular music. 1975 line please. That concert in Liverpool changed my life
History is comprised of facts- not inaccurate images that tick style or current generational boxes. Proper contextual images reflect fact. So please lets get this right, lets get the proper framing and historical context correct. Anything else is just an inaccurate fable.
There is NO Earth Wind,and Fire without Maurice White. It is,a disrespect to the legacy of their music not to include all original members. Should mention contributions of Jessica Clever as well who was the ONLY female member. Her voice is heard on their first 2 albums.
You have to have them.It's only right.
Include Maurice!
Share Petition
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Under no circumstances should there be a portrait without it's classic 9 together. Not just 3 members, ALL 9 Maurice, Fred, Verdine White brothers, Philip Bailey, Johnny Graham, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woolfolk, Al McKay, Ralph Johnson.