Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson speak to Nigel Williams on Jazz FM's afternoon show, launching 'Now, Then and Forever' - their first album in eight years.
It burns me when people say that Ralph did not contribute to EWF, and this would burn Maurice too. Ralph is an integral and essential part of the band. Ralph also helped to write some of their majestic songs. Ralph was a successful drummer even before joining EWF and toured Japan before EWF. Ralph is a talented drummer who never wanted to be centre stage. However, Ralph forefills his roll superbly.
DON'T FEEL BAD ALOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HE'S A SOLO ARTIST! AND WHEN "CONTINUATION" CAME OUT, I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT AT AGE 11 "IS THAT WHATCHAMACALLIT FROM EARTH WIND AND FIRE?" THEN I OVERHEARD MY OLDER COUSIN TALKING ON THE PHONE WITH SOMEONE ELSE TELLING THEM ABOUT ME REPEATEDLY LISTENING TO "CONTINUATION"! THEN I KNEW "WHATCHAMACALLIT FROM EWF" AND HE ARE ONE AND THE SAME!
I am a huge fan of EWF, but till today i don't really know what the contribution off Ralph Johson is to the band. He didn't (co)write the songs, he never saw him doing a singing solo part .
Ralph was (along with Maurice) the studio drummer for the early classic EWF lineup, and the main drummer in concert. Eventually Maurice's brother Freddie joined the group on drums and for a while both he and Ralph played drums. Eventually Freddie took over as the main drummer and Ralph transitioned to percussion and background vocals in concert. Maurice stated in his autobiography that Ralph was always a key component of the group and he appreciated Ralph's willingness to transition from the main drummer as Freddie took over that role.
I adore this band. There are no comparisons. I do however , wonder why their former band mates, like Larry Dunn, Freddie White, don’t tour with them. I’ve seen them in concert 12 times beginning in the 70’s....Now I’m 66 years old, and pray I can experience their magic once again. I’ve been so blessed to be able to share EWF with my daughter, she loves them as much as I revere them. God bless EWF.
Kerry, Maurice wrote in his biography that he disbanded the band and after that they were on their own. Larry was still playing with his wife and did other gigs. When they came back together I guess he figured that he had his own thing going and it was good for him. I do agree though, that it would have been so wonderful if he would still be a member!
The most underrated track on this album was a brilliant love ballad titled "Whirlwind" featuring Larry Dunn who also co wrote the song and with Philip Bailey's Phenomenal lead vocals. It was a bonus track that was made the "Now, Then and Forever album a classic standard for the fans.
