I know they were (are) part of Earth, Wind and Fire and the band is considered one of the greatest R&B/Funk bands of all time. But, I just kinda wonder why the lead singers, Maurce and Phillip are not given their props as singers? Like Lionel received when he was with the Commodores. Lionel went on to great solo success. Both Maurice and Phillip released solo albums outside of EW&F with very litttle success. Phillip had success with one song, "Easy Lover", his duet with Phil Collins but, other than that, never saw any considerable solo success. But, as vocalists, IMO, both made EW&F the legends they are. I consider Maurice one of the greatest male R&B singers I've ever heard. And Phillip ain't bad either.

kitbradley said:

Both Maurice and Phillip released solo albums outside of EW&F with very litttle success.

Some people just don't sell outside of a group. All of the Rolling Stones have released solo or side band projects, but none of them had the same success as the Stones had as a group. Out of The Eagles, Don Henley was the only one who had big success as a solo act. Glenn Frey had brief mainstream popularity. Timothy B. Schmit didn't really catch on as a solo act, and neither did earlier members Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. Joe Walsh was a solo act before he joined the Eagles, (like Johnny Gill/New Edition) and was popular on rock radio. Stevie Nicks was the only member from Fleetwood Mac to have mainstream popularity as a solo act. Steve Perry only had 1 or 2 hits outside of Journey. Jody Watley had success out of Shalamar, but Howard & Jeffrey didn't.

.

Lionel Richie was not the only member of The Commodores to release a solo album, but most people don't know that. It's probably not that common for individual members of a group to have big solo success like Phil Collins, George Michael, or Paul McCartney.

kitbradley said:

Both Maurice and Phillip released solo albums outside of EW&F with very litttle success. Phillip had success with one song, "Easy Lover", his duet with Phil Collins but, other than that, never saw any considerable solo success. But, as vocalists, IMO, both made EW&F the legends they are. I consider Maurice one of the greatest male R&B singers I've ever heard. And Phillip ain't bad either.

I remember when Maurices's solo album was released in 1985.I thought for sure that he was gonna blow up as a solo artist,in the same way that Lionel Richie did when he left the Commodores.The album was pretty good,but I think people mainly associate him with EW&F.They didn't give his solo music the attention that it deserved.

Maurice's 1985 solo album is a classic to in my opinion and majority of the reviews were positive. Some tracks could've even crossed over to pop like Lionel. I'm not really sure how it was promoted though and if that had any effect. I'm just really starting to dig into Philips solo catalog myself. Chinese Wall is another pretty good album. I love "Children of the Ghetto" and of course "Easy Lover." You are right though, solo wise I don't hear a lot of props given to them.

OlSchool said:

Maurice's 1985 solo album is a classic to in my opinion and majority of the reviews were positive. Some tracks could've even crossed over to pop like Lionel. I'm not really sure how it was promoted though and if that had any effect.

I'm not sure if it would have made any difference in the success of the album,but I think they should have released "Jamboree" as a single.That song is my favorite and I think it would have been a hit.

OlSchool said:

Chinese Wall is another pretty good album. I love "Children of the Ghetto" and of course "Easy Lover."

I agree,that is a very good album.It should have turned Philip into a solo superstar."Easy Lover" was a massive hit.

SoulAlive said:

OlSchool said:

Chinese Wall is another pretty good album. I love "Children of the Ghetto" and of course "Easy Lover."

I agree,that is a very good album.It should have turned Philip into a solo superstar."Easy Lover" was a massive hit.

I doubt it would have gotten the same airplay without Phil Collins singing on it, at least on the pop side and on MTV. Like it's not as likely Somebody's Watching Me would have been a hit without Michael Jackson on it. By this time EWF's popularity was going down anyway (so were horn bands in general), and Kool & The Gang took their spot on Top 40 radio.

MickyDolenz said:

SoulAlive said:

I agree,that is a very good album.It should have turned Philip into a solo superstar."Easy Lover" was a massive hit.

I doubt it would have gotten the same airplay without Phil Collins singing on it, at least on the pop side and on MTV. Like it's not as likely Somebody's Watching Me would have been a hit without Michael Jackson on it. By this time EWF's popularity was going down anyway (so were horn bands in general), and Kool & The Gang took their spot on Top 40 radio.

Yeah,but when Earth Wind and Fire reunited a few years later (for the Touch The World album),it was as if they had never left.Their fans had really missed them,apparently.That was their last truly successful album,selling over 2 million copies.

SoulAlive said:

kitbradley said:

Both Maurice and Phillip released solo albums outside of EW&F with very litttle success. Phillip had success with one song, "Easy Lover", his duet with Phil Collins but, other than that, never saw any considerable solo success. But, as vocalists, IMO, both made EW&F the legends they are. I consider Maurice one of the greatest male R&B singers I've ever heard. And Phillip ain't bad either.

I remember when Maurices's solo album was released in 1985.I thought for sure that he was gonna blow up as a solo artist,in the same way that Lionel Richie did when he left the Commodores.The album was pretty good,but I think people mainly associate him with EW&F.They didn't give his solo music the attention that it deserved.

All of my favorite EW&F songs had Maurice on lead vocals. I don't think I can name a single EW&F song with him on lead that I didn't like. I listened to his 1985 solo album a few years ago thinking I was going to love it but, unfortunately, I was not impressed. I have Phillip's "Chinese Walls" CD and again, there are like maybe a couple of songs on it that I like. I think both Maurice and Phillip had a certain, special magic with the group that they were not able to retain as solo artists.

SoulAlive said:

MickyDolenz said:

I doubt it would have gotten the same airplay without Phil Collins singing on it, at least on the pop side and on MTV. Like it's not as likely Somebody's Watching Me would have been a hit without Michael Jackson on it. By this time EWF's popularity was going down anyway (so were horn bands in general), and Kool & The Gang took their spot on Top 40 radio.

Yeah,but when Earth Wind and Fire reunited a few years later (for the Touch The World album),it was as if they had never left.Their fans had really missed them,apparently.That was their last truly successful album,selling over 2 million copies.

"Touch The World" is an album that definately needs remastering with bonus tracks. The extended version of "System of Survival" is KILLER!!!!

kitbradley said:

SoulAlive said:

Yeah,but when Earth Wind and Fire reunited a few years later (for the Touch The World album),it was as if they had never left.Their fans had really missed them,apparently.That was their last truly successful album,selling over 2 million copies.

"Touch The World" is an album that definately needs remastering with bonus tracks. The extended version of "System of Survival" is KILLER!!!!

I agree,it's a superb album! I would love a fresh remaster,with bonus tracks,12" versions...the whole 9 yards.While I generall consider Raise to be EW&F's finest 80s album,Touch The World would be a close second.

kitbradley said:

SoulAlive said:

I remember when Maurices's solo album was released in 1985.I thought for sure that he was gonna blow up as a solo artist,in the same way that Lionel Richie did when he left the Commodores.The album was pretty good,but I think people mainly associate him with EW&F.They didn't give his solo music the attention that it deserved.

All of my favorite EW&F songs had Maurice on lead vocals. I don't think I can name a single EW&F song with him on lead that I didn't like. I listened to his 1985 solo album a few years ago thinking I was going to love it but, unfortunately, I was not impressed. I have Phillip's "Chinese Walls" CD and again, there are like maybe a couple of songs on it that I like. I think both Maurice and Phillip had a certain, special magic with the group that they were not able to retain as solo artists.

It's the same way for me,too.Maurice's voice was magic! That's part of the reason why I'm not overly enthusiastic about the upcoming EW&F album.Maurice won't be involved and it just won't be the same for me.

SoulAlive said:

That's part of the reason why I'm not overly enthusiastic about the upcoming EW&F album. Maurice won't be involved and it just won't be the same for me.

Nile Rodgers recently said, that he will do a new Chic album. I guess you won't be that enthusiastic about it either then

Dancelot said:

SoulAlive said:

That's part of the reason why I'm not overly enthusiastic about the upcoming EW&F album. Maurice won't be involved and it just won't be the same for me.

Nile Rodgers recently said, that he will do a new Chic album. I guess you won't be that enthusiastic about it either then

I'll wait and see how it sounds.

Maurice and Phillip are terrific singers,but to answer your question, most lead singers of bands are not given that much of attention as just male solo singers becasuse we're gonna always think EWF SOUND!!! like LIONEL RICHIE COMMODORES, JEFFREY OSBOURNE LTD, the only one who really gets attention is Charlie Wilson, but like I say we still think THE GAP BAND...there were lots of competition in those days:

Marvin Gaye

Teddy P

The O'Jays

Barry White

Maybe their manager and publicists are not doing a great job. It's a shame considering what great talents they were.

Lionel, in addition to being a great singer/songwriter, has the charm and great PR skills, and looks like he got a great team behind his back. Being able to pen his own hit songs didn't hurt too.