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Buzz Knight
Taking a Walk I'm Buzz Knight and this is the Taking a Walk podcast. Now I want to hear from you. Open up the iHeart app, hit the talk back button, and leave me a voice message. Tell me what you think of the show, suggestions on guests, or better yet, tell me who your dream walk would be with. Living or dead? I want to know. Leave it right there in the app. There are bands that sell records, and then there are bands that change lives. Earth, Wind and Fire is the latter, a force of nature that fused funk, soul, jazz, R and B and pure cosmic energy into music that has lifted people for over 50 years. Seven Grammys, a rock and Roll hall of Fame induction, a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kennedy Center Honors, and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide. And today, we're going to hear the inside story from someone who lived every moment of it. Ralph Johnson is the percussionist and vocalist of Earth, Wind and Fire who has witnessed five decades of the band's triumphs, awards and milestones firsthand. And now, for the first time, he's telling his story in full. His new memoir, Rhythm and Fire, A Life in Harmony with Earth, Wind and Fire, is a roadmap of music, resilience and reflection that digs deep into the motivational story of Earth, Wind and Fire, from humble roots to worldwide fame and success. Questlove wrote the foreword and the book includes 30 exclusive photographs, and there's even an Earth, Wind and Fire documentary coming to HBO later this year. Ralph Johnson is next on Taking a Walk. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human if you've been sitting on a business idea for a while, consider this the sign to take action. It can even be made official today by creating a website with WIX Harmony. Just tell WIX Harmony what you want and it'll build the entire site, business features included. And everything can still be edited by hand. It's your website, your call. Try it@wix.com Harmony that's wix.com Harmony Amazon presents Laura versus fruit flies.
Ralph Johnson
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Buzz Knight
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Ralph Johnson
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Buzz Knight
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Ralph Johnson
Oh, no.
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Ralph Johnson
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Ralph Johnson
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Taking a walk.
Buzz Knight
So the book takes us back to your roots in LA in the 60s and the 70s. Tell me, Ralph, what was it about that specific time and place that shaped not just your drumming, but who you were going to become as an artist?
Ralph Johnson
Well, it was for me, the 60s was a time of discovery. You know, you're growing. I was a teen growing up and there was a lot to be exposed to, but probably a lot more because I was on the art side of life. I was a musician, you know, so that being surrounded with the people I was surrounded with because I had great support group, the family and friends that all helped to shape me. You know, I had the right parents, which I think is very, very, very important. And all they did was encourage me. Whenever I needed something, they made sure I had it, you know, and all through school, I was always connected to music. You know, I never, I never got away from it, you know, and that's, that's all the stuff that helped shape me and, you know, turn this thing into a book, this adventure. You know, I really buzz wrote this book for my grandkids. I wanted to leave behind a tangible literary document of my journey growing up in LA in the 60s, 70s, you know, my journey into Earth, Wind and Fire. My journey as a part of Earth, Wind and Fire. And then what happens after Earth went in Fire, I don't know.
Buzz Knight
So what I love about the book is the special attention that you do, you do give to your family and the specific and tangible gratitude that you express regularly in the book. I think it's beautiful how it just. It's a constant. Throughout the book, talk about your family members that were most instrumental. I would dare guess it's probably every one of them.
Ralph Johnson
Well, first off, you have to first begin with the parents. I had two great parents. My mother was from Mississippi. My father originally was from Georgia. They met, got married. The other family members, like my older brother, Ronald Johnson, who's our UFC grad. Okay. Former military and retired from the lapd. But he's the one that got me started on jazz because in 65, he came home from the Air Force and he had this stack of vinyl albums. And I started listening. It was all jazz. And then I found out There was a 24 hour jazz station in Los Angeles, the first ever KBCA 105.1. I started listening to those guys and got further into it. Okay. And then my mother was a vocalist. My father was a lyricist. My younger brother Fred played. My sister has a beautiful voice still to this day. So I was always surrounded by it. I guess my. My path was kind of laid out, you know?
Buzz Knight
Do you remember clearly the first moment that you were connected deeply to music?
Ralph Johnson
That's what I like that question. Because there is a moment that stands out. The first time my father took me downtown to the Southern California Music Company. And you walk in, man, it's just a display of instruments. They're just brass instruments, drums. But the thing that I remember that got me triggered was the smell of lacquer that was being used on the instruments. And you'd never forget that smell. And that was like, whoa, okay. And then you start hearing sounds, you know, horn players over here and a drummer over here, work. And it just became a part of me, man. And then I looked up one Christmas and there was a snare drum. And that started it. I started taking lessons. I took my first drum lesson probably in April of 1959. That's what started the journey, man. My father taking me downtown and me smelling that lacquer that they were using on the instrument that I don't think you can use laughter anymore in instruments. But believe me, music stores at that time had a very specific, distinct smell.
Buzz Knight
Now, I know you told me before we started the interview, Ralph, that you do a Saturday night show at the radio station at UNLV in Las Vegas. That is a jazz show.
Ralph Johnson
Yes.
Buzz Knight
So let's talk about that show and some of the players that from the beginning impacted you, the great jazz players.
Ralph Johnson
First off, I broadcast from KUNV 91.5, which is on the campus of UNLV. I am on every Saturday night for two hours from 8 to 10 Pacific Time. And this, man, the way this came about a. We were in Vegas. Every year we go in around the fall, October, November, and do a residency at the Venetian. So about four years ago, three or four years ago, someone who was formerly with our organization called me up because he lives in Vegas. And he said, hey, Ralph, man, there's a station over here that would love to interview you. Why don't you come over and. And I was already broadcasting on an Internet station, but not the terrestrial station. So he said, and bring your playlist, man. Let's plug some stuff in. We'll just talk about. I did it. They loved the way I sounded on, on Mike. And so they asked me if I wanted to do a show. I said, yeah, sure. And my show used to be on earlier. It would be on from six to eight. And then they said, rap, we got a better slope. Saturday night, 8 to 10. I said, cool. And so I've been doing this now. I just turned in show number 135 and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoy broadcasting and I used to listen to our station in la, which is the first ever. I think I'm right about this. KBCA 105.1. Look it up. Ever 24 Hour Jazz Station ever. And I as a teen was listening to this station. I'd come home from school, turn it on, listen. Then I listened to the Friday night jazz countdown. And then in terms of artists that I'm really into, well, you gotta go with Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Oliver Nelson, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Billy Jo Jones and on.
Buzz Knight
That's a pretty good list, Ralph.
Ralph Johnson
And on. You know what? My database when I do my show is pretty, pretty extensive. I can give you some of whatever you want to hear.
Buzz Knight
You know, I gotta check the show out. I'm a big fan of jazz.
Ralph Johnson
You're gonna get a copy.
Robert Smigel
I love it.
Buzz Knight
I love, I really love it. I'm really super excited. I grew up outside of New York City in Stanford, Connecticut. And they had then, as I was growing up, my formative years. Ralph. There was a station called 106.7 WR VR, which was an amazing jazz station out of New York. And that was some of my great education, certainly about jazz in Fact, the first person that I ever interviewed, probably because I was doing part time journalism for a local Dayton, Ohio sort of music newspaper, and the story was I did it to get free tickets, certainly to write these reviews of shows. But the first person that I got to interview, believe it or not, was the great horn player, Dexter Gordon. I'm sure you play some Dexter on your show, man.
Ralph Johnson
Dexter has an album, so you're going to make me name things. Dexter has an album called One Flight up and there was a very popular tune on there called Tanya. It's about 18 minutes long.
Buzz Knight
And one of the things I used to love about Dexter, too, still love about Dexter, is how he would. Right in the middle of a solo, he would quote something, you know, some other piece of music like right me out to the ball Game, you'd hear all of a sudden, right in the middle of a solo, right.
Ralph Johnson
I never heard Dexter live, never heard him lie.
Buzz Knight
Oh, man, he was, he was incredible.
Ralph Johnson
So, but, but you know, in terms of saxophone players, man, one of my favorites. Who's with Miles? George Coleman.
Buzz Knight
Oh, amazing, amazing.
Ralph Johnson
Still playing today in New York. Still playing, still playing. His son's a drummer.
Buzz Knight
What's amazing about Earth, Wind and Fire is how Earth, Wind and Fire takes elements of jazz, it takes elements of soul, it takes elements of rock. It covers the full spectrum. Now, when you first worked, walked into that world in the early 70s with Maurice White, did you have any sense of what you were stepping into or did the magnitude of that reveal itself over time?
Ralph Johnson
The magnitude would in fact reveal itself over time. And I had no idea about how broad this thing was in terms of its musicality. Okay, but you kind of got a hint because Maurice came from a jazz background, you know, he was also an excellent recording musician in Chicago.
Buzz Knight
Ramsey Lewis, right, too.
Ralph Johnson
Yeah. Yes, he played with. Yes, he was. Ramsey. See, that's the, that's the crazy thing about the whole Earth, Wind and Fire thing is that here's a. What jazz drummer do you know that wakes up one morning and says, I'm going to start a band just later for this, I'm going to do this over here and then be totally, totally successful doing that? You tell me, man. I don't think anybody's done that one.
Buzz Knight
I think the mission of Earth, Wind and Fire was really to provide so much joy to the world because the music just really, it had therapeutic healing powers, I truly believe. We have another show called Music Saved Me that my friend Lynn Hoffman hosts and we talk about the therapeutic, you know, healing power of music. But one of the things that, that Maurice White did, he. He led the band to swear off the era's vices of excessive drugs and sex. Instead, there was a commitment to music of spirituality and hope and soulfulness. This was radically different than what was going on around you. Can you talk about that?
Ralph Johnson
The primary mission. Maurice wanted a band that would be uplifting. To provide great sounding music. Yes, but the messages in the music had to be uplifting. He wanted to provide hope, and I think he wound up pulling that off. But going into it, when I auditioned in 71, no, I had no idea where this thing was going. But Maurice, being the teacher that he was and the big brother was that he was, had seen it all already on the road. And yes, he would keep us from certain things. Of course, we're not. They'll give me. Give. Give you the impression they were all goody two shoes, but no, man, I mean, we just. We managed to squeak through without being affected by all the distraction that was out there. And, buddy, back in the 70s, there was a ton of distraction, but we just kept. We stayed focused. That's the thing, to stay focused, man, and to recognize something coming your way that could wind up to be detrimental, you know, and if you have that inner sense, that feeling, it works for you. No doubt. We'll be right back with more of the Taking a Walk podcast.
Buzz Knight
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Liberty Mutual Advertiser
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Mood.com Advertiser
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Ralph Johnson
Oh, no.
Liberty Mutual Advertiser
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Ralph Johnson
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
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Ralph Johnson
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty, Liberty.
Robert Smigel
Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy. Not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier this week. My guests, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter.
Ralph Johnson
Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.
Robert Smigel
Those people are starving for beautiful banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ralph Johnson
Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.
Buzz Knight
One thing that was so amazing is so amazing about the band. It's really a sound nobody could really truly define. It was, it was a number of things mashed up into this delicious broth. It was all there. As the drummer, how did you hold the center of something that was pulling in so many directions at once?
Ralph Johnson
Well, first off, it starts with you understanding that you do have to hold the center. You have to provide that pulse. So drummers in a very interesting position in that they hear everything that's going on around them. So if you just concentrate on your mission, which is make it groove, put that pulse in it, don't worry because the rest up, they're all listening to you and if you're off, they're going to be off. So just do what you're supposed to do. Hold it hold it right there. And everything else will chime in. Kind of like baking a cake, you know, get some vanilla, get some eggs, get some flour, get some, you know. But when you get through the centerpiece is that beautiful cake. And so we had to learn to move forward as one voice when we were on stage. It was never about any upstaging or anything like that. It was about one voice moving forward.
Buzz Knight
Let's try this little fast five questions thing to Ralph and get your take here. First of all, first album or 45 you ever bought?
Ralph Johnson
S, man, that is such a great question. And it's a great question because I played a cut on this last week's show from this album. The first album was Jack McDuff Live, organist Jack Brother Jack McDuff. And there's a tune on there, a hard rocking tune called Rock Candy. All right, so you had Jack McDuff, you had George Benson on guitar at 19 or 20. Wow. I talked to him about that at the NAMM show in Anaheim. You had Red Holloway on tenor saxophone, killer solo. And then you had one of Maurice White's favorite drummers, Joe Dukes. Name of the album was Jack McDuff Live. And the tune on there that I heard on the radio that made me go out immediately by the album was called Rock Candy. Next question.
Buzz Knight
Love it.
Ralph Johnson
How was that answer, by the way? That's a beautiful.
Buzz Knight
It's beautiful. It's beautiful. First live music concert event that you ever went to.
Ralph Johnson
Another great question. And that's so funny because the guy that I went to the concert with was here for dinner the other night. We were in a band together as very young guys. And I never want to forget my guys buzz that I came up with in LA playing when we were younger. So I have them over for dinner, okay? So to answer your question, him and I, his name was Arthur Copper, we went to elementary school together, all in orchestra and band. Always our very first concert. And I'm going to give you the date, January 1, 1966, Los Angeles sports Arena, James Brown.
Buzz Knight
All right.
Ralph Johnson
Yes.
Buzz Knight
That's a good one. Best night, single, greatest night you ever had on stage.
Ralph Johnson
Well, man, and I've had a lot of great nights, needless to say, but I got to tell you, last year we played the Hollywood bowl for three nights, July 2nd, 3rd and 4th. I'm born on the 4th of July. So the whole Hollywood bowl celebrated my birthday with, with the LA Philharmonic, okay. And there was a whole thing going on because my manager and her daughter printed up these pictures of me and the audience was holding up pictures of me while it was a whole thing. It was crazy. But that wasn't the best night there, that night there. Thank you. Rhonda and Denise.
Buzz Knight
Right, what are you most excited about at this moment in your life?
Ralph Johnson
That's a good one. Okay. Because at this point in my life, I've done so much, I've experienced so much. I'm excited about seeing what's next, because as far as I'm concerned, there's not too much left for me to do. Unless somebody can hook me up with the Blue Angels and I can go for a ride with them. Man, I've been all over the world. I've stayed in the best hotels, met some great people. I'm a foodie, so I had some great meals. The next thing is what I'm looking forward to. But what is the next thing? We don't know. I don't know. What is the next adventure? I don't know what that is. I've won many awards. Kennedy center honor. Reed. There's nothing left to do there, right? So I don't know what's left, Buzz. I don't. You know, you tell me.
Buzz Knight
And then the last of the five questions. Yes, one word that captures what Maurice White meant to you.
Ralph Johnson
Oh, at the easy one, visionary.
Buzz Knight
Perfect. Now, when he left. The book addresses this in great detail. The hiatus period, the uncertainty it created about the band's future. Can you take our audience inside that moment? Because it was. It was a. It was quite a solemn moment, I would say.
Ralph Johnson
Well, I mean, look, just imagine you're. You're. You're with a successful. Whatever it is you're doing. Maybe it's the successful yacht team or you're going for the World Cup, I don't know. But all of a sudden, the captain of the team calls everybody in and says, you know what? We're not going to do this anymore. I mean, just out of nowhere stuff like, so you guys go ahead and do what you're going to do. I'm going to do a solo project, and Phil is going to do a solo project, and, you know, you guys can go ahead and, you know, whatever you want to do, go ahead and do it. But now, understand, Buzz, this is with no warning. It wasn't like he said, okay, look, in six months, we're going to cut this. We're taking a break, big break. A hiatus. No, it was just, call a meeting, show up. Here's what we're doing. Have a nice life. That's what messed me up. The Most. The way it was done, Buzz, it wasn't the fact that he did it. He had every right to do it. He had been carrying a lot. Okay. Earthquake Empire was not an easy thing to carry. It was the way he did it that just like, wow. I couldn't believe it. I was blown away.
Buzz Knight
Anyway, so you describe it brilliantly in the book. It's like you can't hear a pin drop.
Ralph Johnson
We were just, you know that term taken aback. There's another term, God smacked and all, you know, I mean, just. Man, you're sitting there going, what? What did you just say? But that was the deal. But here we are still standing, Buzz. Three of us, Philip, Verdine and myself. Man, only God.
Buzz Knight
The title, Rhythm and Fire, it speaks to both your craft and something I feel much deeper. When the band went through its dark stretches, where did that fire come from to keep going?
Ralph Johnson
Well, the fire comes from knowing that you have a family. And no matter what, you got to make it happen. That's where that fire comes from. Okay? You're on a mission. No matter. Look, whatever it is you're doing for a living, fine. But when you come home, you got a family, there are mouths to feed, bills to pay. So that fire came from knowing that I had to really buckle down and take care of business, man. And so, as it turns out, everything turned out to be okay.
Buzz Knight
Having Questlove write the foreword is a powerful statement about Earth, Wind and Fire's influence across generations of musicians. What does it mean to you? As a drummer of his generation looks at your work the way he does,
Ralph Johnson
it means a lot because first off, it tells me that he was paying attention to what we were doing and, you know, while we were working on our documentary, which will premiere in New York June 3rd at the Tribeca Film Festival, while we were working on the documentary here in la, I just went to Crest level. I said, hey, man, I'm working on a book. I would love it if you would write the forward. So, yeah, I'll write it. And I was honored. This. This cat is an Academy Award winning filmmaker, but he's also a fellow drummer. And I think that's part of what he took into consideration when I asked him if he would write it, you know, and he really wrote a bit. I didn't mad when I read it. I said, is this a forward or another book? Because he wrote quite a limpy piece, you know. So I was. I'm very grateful that Quest Love took that on. And it's a great tie in with the documentary coming up, because my book will be out May 26. A month later, shortly after, we'll do the documentary in New York. And it's just a great tie in.
Buzz Knight
Of course, there'll be the road, too. That occurs a little bit, right?
Ralph Johnson
Yes, yes, yes, the road. Matter of fact, I'm leaving tomorrow morning.
Buzz Knight
The road calls.
Ralph Johnson
The road calls man at the does every spring and summer. So, yeah.
Buzz Knight
So since we call the podcast Taking a Walk, we ask every guest, if you could take a walk with someone, living or dead, who would it be? Where do you think you might go and what would you want to talk about?
Ralph Johnson
The first name that comes to mind is John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in my opinion. Now, you know, other people can see what they want. I don't care. Greatest president ever. And he had. He was going to make a difference. That's why he's not here now, because he was going to make a difference and they knew that it would be John Fitzgerald. Where would we walk? Where would be a nice place to take a walk? That's a. Wow. Location. Location of fishing. I would say on a beach somewhere. Just walk along the beach, man. We just kick it. And I would ask him, probably because of, you know, I have a lot of questions about the military. I probably asked him about his time as a PT boat captain. People forget that he was a PT boat captain. I would ask him about his time in the military and. And then I would ask him about people who were around him at the time of his assassination. And I would ask him, did you ever think. Did you ever get an inkling that someone in your camp might have pre. Knowledge of what was about to go down? Because I think there are some people that knew. Don't get me started. I'm Mr. Conspiracy Theory. Somebody. Somebody knew.
Buzz Knight
Well, in closing, Ralph, too. So what do you. What's your perspective on the political state of affairs?
Ralph Johnson
I'm going to make one political statement. One. Just one. So that he gets smarter. Some people will get this reference, some people won't. I don't care. Here's my political statement. We are a long way from Woodstock. Mic drop.
Buzz Knight
Oh, man, what a joy. Speaking to Ralph Johnson. Rhythm and fire. A life in harmony with earth, wind and fire. This has been such a thrill speaking with you. I'm sorry. So grateful that you were on Taking a Walk, Ralph Johnson.
Ralph Johnson
Thank you so much, man. I really enjoyed it. Great questions, man. Thank you. Great questions. You're going to get a copy of my show.
Buzz Knight
Oh, I'm so grateful. I'm grateful that. That you. You came on. You're welcome anytime. I'm Buzz Knight and thanks for listening to the Taking a Walk podcast. Now please check out our companion podcasts produced by Buzz Night Media Productions with your host Lynn Hoffman. Music Saved Me Showcasing the healing power of music and comedy Saved Me Shining a light on how laughter is the best medicine. All shows are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and are part of the I Heart Podcast Network.
Mood.com Advertiser
Let's be honest, buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about mood.com that's m o o d.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flour, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.
Liberty Mutual Advertiser
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Mood.com Advertiser
Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Ralph Johnson
Oh no.
Liberty Mutual Advertiser
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Ralph Johnson
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Advertiser
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Ralph Johnson
Liberty Liberty. Liberty Liberty.
Robert Smigel
Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week. My guests SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter.
Ralph Johnson
Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.
Robert Smigel
Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Mood.com Advertiser
Why are we all so obsessed with romance on the Radio 831 podcast? Join us Sanjana Basker and Tyler McCall as we unpack all the trending tropes, buzzy adaptations, booktok drama and celebrity love stories. With hot takes and sharp guests, each episode digs into what these stories reveal about desire, fantasy, identity and how we love. Now listen to the Radio 831 podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Ralph Johnson (percussionist and vocalist, Earth, Wind & Fire)
Date: May 19, 2026
Episode Theme: Exploring Ralph Johnson's personal and musical journey through Earth, Wind & Fire, highlighting family influence, jazz roots, band philosophy, and new projects including his memoir and upcoming documentary.
This episode of "Takin' A Walk" features a heartfelt and revealing conversation with Ralph Johnson, a core member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Johnson shares personal stories about his upbringing in Los Angeles, his early exposure to jazz, his unexpected entry into the legendary band, and the principles that drove Earth, Wind & Fire’s uplifting music. He also delves into his new memoir, Rhythm and Fire, and discusses the importance of resilience, creativity, and hope in both life and music.
[04:13 – 07:41]
Johnson’s youth in 1960s-70s Los Angeles:
Formative memory with music:
[09:00 – 13:13]
Hosts “The Dr. Jazz Show” at KUNV 91.5, UNLV:
Foundational jazz influences:
[13:22 – 15:31]
No sense at first of the band's future magnitude:
Maurice White’s musical background and vision:
Band’s mission for uplifting messages and hope:
Lifestyle discipline in the 1970s music scene:
[19:46 – 21:06]
[21:06 – 24:59]
First album or 45 purchased:
First live concert:
Greatest night on stage:
Most excited about:
One word for Maurice White:
[25:04 – 27:16]
Maurice White’s sudden announcement of hiatus:
Driving force during tough times:
[28:05 – 29:41]
[29:48 – 31:20]
[31:20 – 31:45]
On his upbringing:
On Maurice White’s leadership:
Describing the band's sound:
Most impactful stage memory:
On resilience:
On politics:
The conversation is warm, nostalgic, and candid, filled with gratitude, reflection, and humor. Buzz Knight’s respect for Johnson and his legacy as a musician is matched by Johnson’s sincerity and humility.
This episode offers a rich tapestry of stories from Ralph Johnson’s remarkable life in and beyond Earth, Wind & Fire. It’s a must-listen for fans of music history, soulful storytelling, and anyone curious about the forces that shape musical legends and their enduring impact.