21st night day of September, indeed.
Questlove is on board to direct the Earth, Wind & Fire documentary in the works. The feature is set to examine the iconic group’s lasting legacy, cultural impact and enduring body of work.
For the project, the Grammy- and Oscar-winning filmmaker will feature exclusive access to the band’s archives of visual, audio and written material, as well as the support of the estate of Maurice White and the band, according to a press release.
“Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process,” Questlove said in a statement. “I’m so excited to be part of the process of preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle.”
Earth, Wind & Fire band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson, shared in their own joint statement: “We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary.”
The Summer of Soul director will also produce the doc, alongside RadicalMedia’s Dave Sirulnick and Samantha Grogin; Broken Halo Entertainment’s KB White, son of late band leader Maurice White; and Arron Saxe of Kinfolk Management + Media, in association with Sony Music Vision. FIFTH SEASON is financing the film and will also handle its sales with WME.
“Earth, Wind & Fire’s impact has been at the heart of popular culture around the globe for decades. We are beyond thrilled to be collaborating for the fourth time with the brilliant mind of Questlove who couldn’t be more perfect for telling this definitive story, as well as the powerhouse teams at FIFTH SEASON, Two One Five, Broken Halo, and Kinfolk Management + Media,” said Sirulnick, president of entertainment at RadicalMedia. “We have many thanks to give, however, this project wouldn’t be possible without the trust and partnership of KB White and Arron Saxe, for whom we have the utmost respect.”
The band’s decades-long career has made them one of the most critically and commercially successful pop bands of all time. They have sold more than 90 million records, had 11 consecutive albums go gold or platinum and won six Grammys. Their discography includes megahits like “September,” “Reasons” and “Shining Star.”
Zarah Zohlman and Shawn Gee of Two One Five Entertainment, the production company founded by Questlove and fellow The Roots’ member Black Thought, will serve as executive producers, as will Jon Kamen of RadicalMedia, Cheo Hodari Coker and Amos Newman.
