Shining Star

Excellent book would have loved to have seen more pictures. Now I know and understand why Maurice was not performing, when I saw them in concert. I love Philip...the whole Earth, Wind Fire Band!!!!!!!!

This is a very interesting autobiography. Highly recommended for fans of Earth, Wind and Fire. It is a great glimpse into the back story of one of the great super groups of the 70's and 80's.Music royalty!

RIP Charles Stepney, Don Myrick, Roland Baustista, and Maurice White. EWF was my favorite group while I was in high school (I am now 52 y/old), I have their albums on vinyl. I saw them at two sold-out concerts at the Stadium in Chicago. I love music and I have read several biographies/autobiographies of different recording artists. I was excited to learn of Phillip Bailey's memoir. This is a good book. It is well-written and I could not put it down. It really goes behind-the-scenes, not just on the surface. Most bios I have read of recording artists do not go into, or barely scratch the business-end. The book gives insight into the business side of things. It also delves into the creative side. Mr. Bailey gives details about the the production of some of the classic hits, and why these songs are so great. If you are really into music, you would appreciate that. The book also goes into detail about the involvement of other recording industry figures in the EWF story. Mr. Bailey is also candid about personal and professional embarrassments and set-backs. He writes of his infidelities and failed marriages. He writes of record label broken promises and getting dropped by labels (as a solo artist and with EWF). He writes of the time EWF was up-staged by Parliament. He shares the story behind "Reasons." The band held Charles Stepney in such high regard. It is very respectful the way Mr. Bailey recalls Mr. Stepney. I would recommend this book to a EWF and music fan.

A very fascinating story of the evolution of the greatest band (period) of all time. You will not be disappointed. However, this heart felt story just might alter your opinion of the group's creator and leader Maurice White. I was truly enlightened by the creative processes and the meaning behind all the songs (just blew me away). The background of everyone involved was interesting. I grew up listening to EWF and, after reading this book, I love the group and songs even more and listen to the songs with a different kind of passion.

AFTER READING THIS BOOK, GO TO YOUTUBE AND WATCH THE "EARTH WIND AND FIRE SHINING STAR DOCUMENTARY". This gives you actual photo and video footage (rare) of scenes from the book.

I really enjoyed this book and love that Phillip read it himself. Such great insight to his career with EWF, the success, the pain and the forgiveness. I also love how honest and candid he was about his feelings with some of the EWF dealings, his first and second wife, his kids. His testimony on how God saw him through was encouraging. I love EWF and would love if the rest of them wrote a memoir from their perspective. Great book Mr Bailey....thank you for sharing your love musically and now through this memoir.

I highly recommend the audio version of this book which is narrated by Phillip Bailey. The book provides a satisfyingly thorough and intimate history of an amazing group of exceptionally talented musicians. A true must for any REAL EWF fan, Bailey's narrative takes you through the early history of the group, its peak years and rebirth after a tumultuous period. The story is told in a fashion that makes you feel as if you are right there with them along each step of the way. Playing key songs as they are discussed enhances this effect. Sober, unapologetic and amazingly humble, the story reminds you why Phillip Bailey and the members of EWF are truly Shining Stars!

A few months ago a friend recommended this auto biography/memoir by Phillip Bailey called Shinning Star - Braving the Elements of Earth Wind And Fire..
I just got done reading it and I have to say it's a pretty candid account of Phillips journey in music, his becoming a born again Christian, his struggles morally and otherwise as well as the wisdom he has gained through it all. For those of us who were big fans, we appreciated their amazing creativity and musical virtuosity from the outside. This book takes you on the inside to see what was going on relationally in the band from Phillips perspective. I enjoyed the historical backdrop he gives as he tells his story. As I read, I would take little exploration journeys of my own reading up on the people he referred to as well as listening to songs and artists he would mention. This book should be required reading for anyone with aspirations to be a successful artist in the world of contemporary music.

First of all, Kudos to Philip Bailey for writing a true page turner. I am so proud of him! This book taught me so many things. This book brought out so many emotions. I laughed, cried, became angry, stayed interested and I was fascinated. I was drinking knowledge in big gulps. I've been a fan of Earth, Wind and Fire forever. I know a lot about the music business, I lived it little bit in my life. However, I never dreamed the things I read in this novel. I believe every word in this book. And, I love the way Philip laid it down. No hostility. He has a better temperament than me. I got so mad at the end off a chapter that I turned my iPad off. I needed a break. I was numb and speechless. Pissed. I got some rest and started over again the next day. I cooled off. But I knew this was a good story because the author had penetrated, got deep with me.

I am so grateful this book was written, published, and that Earth Wind and Fire are back. They made wonderful music, stuff no one else could touch. I am sooo looking forward to seeing them perform soon. I've become such a cheerleader for this band. My daughter is 29 and she will be seeing them for the first time shortly. I'm singing in my house, in my kitchen while cooking. Loving it when the radio throws out one of their tunes. Thankful I caught the Arsenio Hall Show that made me buy the book. Arsenio, I just blew you a kiss! This is a fabulous read. And, it's really real and captivating. I thought Pharell made me happy and he did. Shining Star was a delicious dessert. Philip, you've got a lot of class, talent and wisdom and you tell a story so well. Our children, in this, today's world, can so benefit from your compassion, experience, talent and discipline. You take care and be safe. We need you and we love your music. And, we thank God for helping you to realize that you're also a gifted writer. You have everything to look forward to, and so do your fans, just having you around......running things this time. Keep putting your thing down. My favorite parts are many, but I will mention Verdine and the driving, ironing, Philip in the tub and putting a backstage pass on your Dad. I cannot keep talking, don't wanna give the book away.

The Concept for EWF was ""universal love and spiritual enlightenment." I got the message, "to bring people to a higher consciousness," straight away. What I did not recognize was the influence of Brasil '66 in the "healing balm for the ills of society."

For anyone wanting to know more about the inspirations, inner workings and tensions of the great band Earth Wind and Fire, this book fits the bill. Philip Bailey takes us through his long musical odyssey starting from his modest childhood in peaceful 1950's Colorado all the way to the heights of worldwide success as co-lead singer in the hedonistic 70's top African-American band.
It reads well, and Bailey's sensitive and honest account of all aspects of his life during those roller-coaster decades is informative and moving. I was particularly struck by the breadth of his musical interests, as nothing, from brazilian Pop to Modern Jazz to Electric Fusion to Folk Rock to Britiish Pop, ever seemed to escape Bailey's radar.

Minor criticisms:

- On p. 27, Bailey writes about his future wife and the mother of their 4 children: «what got me interested in her as a girlfriend was her big Afro and her nice round booty ass». One would have expected a respectful and classy guy like Bailey to use the expression « her nice curves » instead.

- While mentor and bandleader Maurice White is, as one would expect, a pivotal figure throughout most of the book, there isn't a mention of White's private life. We are told how the EWF founder's strong philosophy of clean living and spirituality set him apart from the other, younger band members during tours, but without the slightest mention of a wife, companion, or children, we could conclude that White lived the life of an ascetic monk, which I doubt was the case.

- On p. 159, Bailey mentions White's song «Diana», in homage to «the Greek goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth.» "Artemis" is in fact how she was called by the Greeks, and it is the Romans' equivalent goddess which received the name "Diana". The word «Greek» in the text could simply be replaced by «Greco-Roman».

I've seen this author perform on numerous occasions and to read his autobiography is electrifying. He and I being close to the same age, I can indentify with things he was dealing with. I highly recommend his efforts as an author.

Once again I checked this out at my local library ( I dont buy books). This is one of the worst memoirs I have ever read and I have read plenty! Not a lot details about HIM mostly things about Maurice White and Earth, Wind & Fire. This book isnt a page turner it took me weeks to read it cause it was dull I forced myself to finish reading it, he just didnt divulge much or anything except he had an affair on his wife and produce a child but no details really of the affair. He spoke very technical about music so if u know nothing about music, it can be a turn off. I learned nothing really new or exciting about Philip Bailey.