Philip Bailey

At 73 years old, Philip Bailey has this physical status:

Philip James Bailey (born May 8, 1951) is an American R&B, soul, gospel, and percussionist best known as an early member and one of the band's two lead singers (along with group founder Maurice White) of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Bailey has received seven Grammy Awards for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth Wind & Fire.

Bailey was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his contributions to the band.Bailey has released several solo albums.

The Chinese Wall from 1984, which received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, featured the international hit "Easy Lover," a duet with Phil Collins.

In 1985, Bailey received an MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance in a Video, and was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals at Berklee's Commencement Ceremony, where he served as the commencement speaker.

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Life and career

Bailey was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He attended the East High School in Denver. He then attended the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado. Bailey was also in Friends & Love, a local R&B band. Bailey's early influences included jazz musicians Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Max Roach, the Motown sound, as well as female singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Dionne Warwick.

Bailey, the founder and bandleader Maurice White, was invited to join the Earth Wind & Fire band in 1972 while attending the University of Colorado. Bailey performed on "Devotion," "Keep Your Head to the Sky," "Reasons," "Star," "I've Had Enough," "The Beat Box")," and "Guiding Lights," among other popular Earth, Wind & Fire songs. On their classic disco collaboration "Boogie Wonderland," "Getaway," "Serpentine Fire," "Serpentine Fire," "Serpentine Fire," "Sing A Song," "Serpentine Fire," "Sing A Song," "Serpentine Fire," "Sing a Song," "Ite," "Sing a Song," "How to Love," "Sing a Song," "Serpentine Fire," "Ser"

Bailey, with Maurice White's retirement from the road, became Earth's on-stage leader, performing with longtime members, bassist Verdine White, and vocalist/percussionist Ralph Johnson.

Bailey will perform in his falsetto and then shift to Maurice White's tenor, showing off his vocal prowess and versatility during EWF's live performances.

Bailey's debut studio album, titled Continuation, was released on Columbia Records in 1983. The album debuted at No. 1 on the charts. The top R&B Albums chart in the United States features 19 people on the chart, No. 19. 36 on the Dutch Pop Albums chart and No. 1 on the top of the charts. On the Swedish Pop Albums chart, 31 ranks at number 31. "This is the rare R&B dance album on which each cut is outstanding," Boston Globe columnist Martin Basch said. Continuation, according to Hugh Wyatt of the New York Daily News, "a top-notch recording."

"I Know" a song on the radio, the No. 1 on the charts, which led to its No. 1 position. On the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, 10th on the list.

On Myrrh Records in 1984, Bailey released his second solo album, titled The Wonders of His Love. Bailey's third solo album, titled Chinese Wall on Columbia, came out in 1984. The album debuted at No. 1. On the Billboard 200 chart and No. 20, there are 22 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 139. On the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, number ten on the top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The RIAA awarded Gold in the United States. "Easy Lover" a duet with Phil Collins, soared to No. 1 on the charts. There's a No. 1 on the UK Pop Singles chart and No. 1. Billboard Hot 100 chart # 2 is ranked at number two.

Bailey's fourth studio album, Inside Out on Columbia, debuted in 1986. The album debuted at No. 1. No. 30 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart, No. 1. On the Swiss Pop Albums chart, 29 places are ranked No. 29 and No. 91 is No. 1; On the Swedish Pop Albums chart, the 30th most popular. "Bailey's most cohesive and relaxed solo album chronicles his stroll through city streets, and his gazes opened to the heavens," Carlo Wolff of the Boston Globe said. "Baby's latest album, he hopes for a sophisticated yet punchy ballad style," Thom Duffy of the Orlando Sentinel said.

"State of the Heart" a single from the album reached No. 10. On the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, 20 is at number 20.

Bailey released his self-titled fifth studio album on Zoo Entertainment in 1994. On the LP, artists including Brian McKnight, Chuckie Booker, and PM Dawn Wilson appeared. "Philip Bailey takes another step forward for neo-traditionalism in black music," Newsday's Carol Cooper wrote, with the neo-traditionalist's ascension ascendant. "Michael Eric Dyson of Rolling Stone said, "Some of these songs might barely make it through the cracks, less than memorable fare conjured up to please a legend." Bailey's grace and magic, as shown throughout the recordings, redeem the recordings. "What's more surprising on this record is that Bailey's stunning falsetto holds its sweetness, even though he uses more of a pleasing baritone than he had on record." While this alone doesn't account for some of the just-right stuff he has to deal with, it's still delighting."

The album cut "Here With Me" soared to No. 1. On the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, 33 is 33.

Bailey's first jazz album, Dreams, was released in 1999 on Heads Up International records. Gerald Albright, Grover Washington, Jr., and Pat Metheny were among the album's highlights. It landed at No. 9. On the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, 43 is 43nd. "Philip sings with the spiritual essence from on high, as well as with the finesse and soul of the Song Master that he is," All About Jazz's Paula Edelstein said. This CD is well worth the wait. "Bailey" is an excellent showcase for Bailey," Al Hunter Jr. said. "Bailey puts on a jazz-flavored album that is as good as his four-octave singing range." He debuted Soul on Jazz, his sophomore jazz album on Heads Up, in 2002. The album soared to No. 1 on the charts. On the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, 45 is at 45. "Reinterpreting jazz treasures both familiar and less well-known, he goes from triumph to triumph," Jazz Times' Christopher Loudon said. "Benealing combo, Bailey's vibrant vocals reach far beyond category," Eugene Holley Jr. of Vibe said. Love Will Find A Way On Verve Records, Bailey's third jazz album, which was released in 2019, was entitled Love Will Find A Way. That album debuted at No. 1 on the charts. 1 on both the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. At the 2020 Jazz FM Awards, Bailey was also named Soul Act of the Year.

Bailey appeared on Andraé Crouch's 1979 Grammy award-winning album I'll Be Thinking of You, and on Walter Hawkins' 1980 Grammy nominated album The Hawkins Family, alongside Maurice White.

Bailey performed a gospel concert at a well-known Los Angeles club called The Roxy in 1980. Deniece Williams, Billy Davis, and Marilyn McCoo joined Bailey, Deniece Williams, Billy Davis, Billy Davis, and Marilyn McCoo. "Jesus At the Roxy" was the show. "God did something miraculous," Williams said later. More than three hundred people were saved." Both Bailey and Williams decided to pursue careers in Christian music after that.

Bailey's first gospel album titled The Wonders of His Love on Myrrh Records in 1984. The album debuted at No. No. On the Billboard Christian Albums chart, 13 songs appear on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, with No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart and No. 21. On the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, 17 is ranked 17th. In the category of Outstanding Inspirational Achievement, the Wonders of His Love was also recognized by Grammy.

Triumph's second gospel album was released on Horizon Records in 1986. The LP ranked No. 4 in the world of automobiles at No. 1 in the United Kingdom. On the Top Christian Albums chart and No. 18 ranked no. 18 and No. 20. Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart ranks 33 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. Triumph also received a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Male.

On Myrrh Records' 1993, he released Family Affair, his third gospel album. The album debuted at No. 1. On the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, 37 songs appear.

Bailey performed on the King Baptist Church Mass Choir's 1990 album Holding On to Jesus' Hand.

Bailey appeared on Jazz guitarist Alphonso Johnson's 1976 album Yesterday's Dreams. On the album "Tahiti Hut," composed by both Maurice White and Eumir Deodato's 1978 album Love Island, he appeared on bass with Verdine White on bass. He appeared on Ronnie Laws' 1978 album Flame.

Bailey went on to produce R&B Band Kinsman Dazz's 1978 debut LP Kinsman Dazz and appear as an arranger and guest artist on their sophomore 1979 album Dazz. Kinsman Dazz later became known as the Dazz Band, a pundit group. Bailey also performed on his 1980 LP Routes, Stanley Turrentine, on her 1981 album Tender Togetherness and Deniece Williams on her 1983 Grammy nominated album I'm So Proud.

Kenny Loggins' 1985 album In Square Circle and After Dark and Anita Pointer's 1987 album Love for What It Is. Bailey also collaborated with Julio Iglesias on his 1988 album Non Stop, Deniece Williams on her 1988 album As Good As It Gets, and with Little Richard on the title tune of the 1988 feature film Twins' soundtrack. That song debuted at No. 1 in the United States. On the Dutch Pop Singles chart, 16 is the highest spot on the chart and No. 11 is No. 10. On the Belgian Pop Singles chart, 36 positions have been ranked 36. In the category of Best Original Song, the Twins was also selected for a Golden Globe.

He appeared on Nancy Wilson's 1989 LP A Lady with a Song, Dianne Reeves' 1990 album Never Too Far, George Duke's 1990 LP 3 and Stanley Clarke's 1990 LP 3. Bailey appeared on jazz band Fourplay's 1991 self-titled debut album, Ronnie Laws' 1992 album Deep Soul, George Duke's 1992 album Snapshot, and Fourplay's 1993 sophomore LP Between the Sheets.

Bailey appeared on Chante Moore's 1994 album A Love Supreme, Keiko Matsui's 1994 album Inner City Blues, George Duke's 1996 album Cool, Boney James' 2006 album Love Necy Style, and Gerald Albright's 2008 Grammy nominated LP Sax for Stax.

He appeared on CeeLo Green's 2010 album Fool for You. You, the fool, got to No. 2 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No.1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. That song also received two Grammy Awards in the categories of Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. Bailey appeared on Nathan East's 2017 LP Reverence. Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson's cover of "Serpentine Fire" from the album "Serpentine Fire" reached No. On the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart, 17 is 17th. Bailey made a guest appearance on Chick Corea's 2018 album Chinese Butterfly.

On Travis Scott's "Stop Trying to Be God," he performed uncredited vocals. The song also stars fellow musicians Stevie Wonder, Kid Cudi, and James Blake, and appeared on Scott's 2018 album Astroworld.

Bailey appeared in a Matlock episode in which he played Pvt. Bobby Thomas. He appeared in the 1995 Broadway musical based on "A Raisin In The Sun" as a soldier in the 1987 feature film Full Metal Jacket and appeared in the 1995 revival of "Raisin" the Broadway musical based on "A Raisin In The Sun."

During the seventh-inning stretch of the 2007 World Series hosted at Coors Field, Denver, Colorado, Bailey sang "God Bless America" on October 27, 2007. This was the first World Series game to be played in Denver, Colorado. In an MLB match between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers held at Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida, he also tossed out the ceremonial first pitch on June 30, 2012.

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