Editing Earth, Wind & Fire (section)

===1970–1974: Formation and early years===
Maurice White's [[astrological sign]], [[Sagittarius (astrology)|Sagittarius]], has a primary [[Classical element|elemental]] quality of [[Fire (classical element)|fire]] and seasonal qualities of [[Earth (classical element)|earth]] and [[Air (classical element)|air]], according to [[Astrology and the classical elements#Triplicities by season|classical triplicities]]. Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the autumn, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air. Hence the omission of [[Water (classical element)|water]], the fourth [[classical element]]. Based on this, he changed the band's name, to Earth, Wind & Fire. White held further auditions in L.A, adding Michael Beal on guitar, Chester Washington on [[Reed (instrument)|reeds]], and Leslie Drayton on trumpet. White was a percussionist and lead vocalist. Drayton served as the group's arranger. Trombonist Alex Thomas completed the then ten-man lineup. Warner Bros. designated [[Joe Wissert]] to be the band's producer.<ref name="rock hall" /><ref name = "Nathan-1993" /><ref name=chuck>{{cite web|url=http://www.chuckthewriter.com/ewf.html|title=Earth Wind and Fire I'll Write a Song for You|work=Goldmine Magazine|first= Miller|last=Chuck|access-date=May 6, 2009}}</ref>

==== Earth, Wind & Fire ====
The band's [[Earth, Wind & Fire (album)|self-titled debut album]] was released in March 1971 on Warner Bros. The album got to No. 24 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top Soul Albums]] chart and was certified Gold in France by the [[SNEP]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Earth, Wind & Fire|author=Earth, Wind & Fire|type=album|date=March 1971|publisher=[[Warner Bros. Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/blp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Earth, Wind & Fire (Top Soul Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-certifications/?interprete=Earth&titre=Earth|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Earth, Wind & Fire|publisher=[[SNEP]]|website=snepmusique.com}}</ref>

Larry Ridley of [[DownBeat]], in a 5/5 stars review declared, "(Maurice White) has assembled here a strong musical organization. They are a tight, well- knit 
instrumental and vocal group...The vocal voicings are somewhat reminiscent of the [[The 5th Dimension|Fifth Dimension]], but this is not to 
imply imitation, for Earth, Wind and Fire are just that...Any further critical analysis is unwarranted and my only other comment at this point is go out and buy this record and keep your eyes and ears open to Earth, Wind and Fire."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/DownBeat/70s/71/Downbeat-1971-10-14.pdf#search=%22maurice%20white%22|title=Earth, Wind And Fire: Earth, Wind And Fire|author=Ridley, Larry|page=20|date=October 14, 1971|publisher=[[DownBeat]]|via=worldradiohistory.com}}</ref> Bob Talbert of the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'', with praise wrote, "I'm not sure what to call this group. Afro-gospel-jazz-blues-rock? Must there be a label?...could be a forerunner of musical styles-sort of a Black [[Blood, Sweat and Tears]] or [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]. BS&T with soul maybe".<ref name=DP>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/59447675/|title=Music's Finest Hour Symphonic Jazz|page=47|date=May 9, 1971|author=Talbert, Bob|publisher=[[Detroit Free Press]]|website=newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2025}}</ref>

==== ''Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song'' ====
EWF then solely performed on the [[Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] of [[Melvin Van Peebles]] 1971 feature film ''[[Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song]]''. The soundtrack, entirely composed by Van Peebles, was released in June 1971 on [[Stax Records]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (Soundtrack)|author=Earth, Wind & Fire|type=album|date=June 1971|publisher=[[Stax Records]]}}</ref> Ian McCann of udiscovermusic.com found "Today, though, you couldn't find a record, soundtrack, or otherwise, as freewheelin' and funky as this." Jamie Atkins of [[Record Collector]] also proclaimed the soundtrack is "Well worth checking out...(where their) hippified psych soul...crossed over into relentless, harder-edged funk."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/blaxploitation-sweet-sweetbacks-baadasssss-song/|title='Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song': How Melvin Van Peebles Lit The Blaxploitation Fire|author=McCann, Ian|date=June 3, 2023|publisher=[[UDiscover Music]]|website=udiscovermusic.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/sweet-sweetbacks-baadasssss-song|title=Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song; Melvin Van Peebles|author=Atkins, Jamie|date=July 18, 2017|publisher=[[Record Collector]]|website=recordcollectormag.com}}</ref> The album reached No. 13 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top R&B Albums]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/soundtrack/chart-history/blp/|title=Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song: Soundtrack (Top Soul Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

==== ''The Need of Love'' ====
In November 1971, EWF's second album, titled ''[[The Need of Love]]'', was issued. The LP got to No. 35 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top Soul Albums]] chart.<ref>{{cite book|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: The Need Of Love|date=November 1971|publisher=[[Warner Bros. Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/blp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: The Need of Love (Top Soul Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Bruce Lindsay of [[Jazz Journal]] said "as evidence of a tight, stylish, band in the early stages of its career this is a worthwhile album".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2019/07/13/earth-wind-and-fire-earth-wind-and-fire-the-need-of-love/|title=Earth, Wind and Fire: Earth, Wind and Fire / The Need of Love |work=[[Jazz Journal]]|date=July 13, 2019 }}</ref> Al Rudis of [[The Chicago Sun Times|The Chicago Sun-Times]] wrote "Their second album, The Need of Love again displays some unusual music that might be called avant garde were it not so melodic and entrancing. The nine-member group mixes excellent jazzy instrumentals with harmony singing and chanting, some big band sounds and some free-form parts as well as solid soul beats. It all works beautifully, and while the elements of Earth, Wind and Fire aren't new, this mixture of them is a unique sound".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/59448808/|title=John's Been in Fiery Furnace|page=43|date=December 3, 1971|author=Rudis, Al|publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|newspaper=[[The News Journal]]|via=newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2025}}</ref>

A single from the album called "[[I Think About Lovin' You]]" reached No. 44 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Soul Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/bsi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: I Think About Lovin' You (Hot Soul Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

The band became popular on college campuses, although some members started to become restless and the band eventually split. With only Verdine left, Maurice decided to re-form the group.<ref name = "Nathan-1993" />

During 1972, Maurice added vocalist Helena Davis, [[Ronnie Laws]] on the [[flute]] and saxophone, rhythm guitarist [[Roland Bautista]], keyboardist [[Larry Dunn]], vocalist [[Philip Bailey]] and percussionist [[Ralph Johnson (musician)|Ralph Johnson]]. Davis was soon replaced by [[Jessica Cleaves]], a former member of the [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] group [[The Friends of Distinction]].<ref name = "Nathan-1993" /><ref name="ALLMUSIC">{{cite web|last1=Huey|first1=Steve|title=Earth, Wind & Fire|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/earth-wind-fire-mn0000135273/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref>

The band successfully auditioned for managers Bob Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo. Cavallo's management of [[John Sebastian]] led to a series of gigs as his opening act. A performance at New York's [[Rockefeller Center]] introduced EWF to [[Clive Davis]], then-President of [[Columbia Records]]. Davis was impressed and bought their contract from Warner Bros. Wissert went along with the band.<ref name = "Nathan-1993">{{cite book|title=The Eternal Dance|year=1992|author=Nathan, David|author-link=David Nathan (music writer)|publisher=[[Columbia Records]]}}</ref><ref name=chuck /><ref>{{cite book|title=Lack of Pop-Music Trend is Healthy Sign to Producer|author=Lloyd, Jack|page=27|date=January 9, 1975|publisher=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref>

==== ''Last Days and Time'' ====
Their debut album on CBS/Columbia Records, ''[[Last Days and Time]]'', was issued in October 1972. The album got to No. 15 on the US ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top Soul Albums]] chart and No. 9 on the UK [[Blues & Soul]] Top British Soul Albums chart.<ref>{{cite book|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Last Days & Time|date=October 1972|publisher=[[Columbia Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/blp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Last Days & Time (Top Soul Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top British Soul Albums|issue=292|date=December 4, 1979|magazine=[[Blues & Soul]]}}</ref> Paul Sexton of [[Record Mirror]], in a 1979 review proclaimed, "Musical historians and EWF fans alike will welcome (''Last Days and Time'')".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Last Days and Time|page=16|volume=26|author=Sexton, Paul|date=November 17, 1979|magazine=[[Record Mirror]]}}</ref> Ovid Goode Jr. of ''[[The Los Angeles Daily News]]'' declared "''Last Days and Time'', sprouts forth with a fresh sound that sets it apart from many of the ho-hum aggregations around today. The album consists of eight moving tunes".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-news/59449322/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Last Days and Time|page=37|date=November 17, 1972|author=Goode, Ovid Jr. |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |via=newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2025}}</ref> [[Hip Hop]] artist [[Nas]] was also inspired by the album's cover art while British singer [[Gabrielle (singer)|Gabrielle]] also named Last Days and Time as one of her favorites.<ref>{{cite web |author=Markman, Rob |date=June 19, 2012 |title=NAS IS LIKE 'AN OLD BLUES MAN' ON LIFE IS GOOD ALBUM COVER |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1687832/nas-life-is-good-album-cover/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516135653/http://www.mtv.com/news/1687832/nas-life-is-good-album-cover/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2016 |website=mtv.com |publisher=[[MTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Smith, Andrew |author2=Sandall, Robert |author3=Faithfull, Marianne |date=June 2, 1996 |title=The choice is yours |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=81&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=29&docId=GALE%7CFP1802931488&docType=Article&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZSUN-MOD1&prodId=STHA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CFP1802931488&searchId=R6&userGroupName=alberta_portal&inPS=true |website=gale.com |publisher=[[The Sunday Times]] |page=197 & 198}}</ref>

A single called "Mom" got to No. 39 on the [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] Top R&B Singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/70s_files/19730310R.html|title=The CASH BOX R&B Top 65|date=March 23, 1973|work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222014723/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/70s_files/19730310R.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Soon thereafter, Roland Bautista and Ronnie Laws left. Denver native Philip Bailey recommended former [[East High School (Denver)|East High School]] classmate, saxophonist [[Andrew Woolfolk]], as a replacement for Laws. Woolfolk had been busy in New York studying sax with sax maestro [[Joe Henderson]] and was due to start a career in banking at the time. To fill the void created by Bautista's departure, rhythm guitarists [[Al McKay]] and Johnny Graham were added. Graham previously played with [[New Birth (band)|New Birth]], while McKay was a former member of the [[Ike and Tina Turner|Ike and Tina Turner Revue]] and [[Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band|The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band]].<ref name = "Nathan-1993" />

==== ''Head to the Sky'' ====
EWF's fourth studio album, ''[[Head to the Sky]]'', was released in May 1973. The album rose to No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Top Soul Albums chart and No. 27 on the [[Billboard 200]] chart.<ref>{{cite book|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Head to the Sky|date=May 1973|publisher=[[Columbia Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/blp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky (Top Soul Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/tlp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky (Billboard 200)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> ''Head to the Sky'' was certified Platinum in the US by the [[RIAA]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Earth%2C+Wind+%26+Fire++&ti=Head+to+The+sky&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Head to the Sky|work=[[RIAA]]}}</ref>

[[Vince Aletti]] of [[Rolling Stone]] declared "Been having a lot of music dreams lately but this one's not too surprising since I've been playing the Earth, Wind & Fire album pretty constantly for the past week, certainly beyond all expectations".  Aletti also noted EWF "sound like a cosmic choir and generate a Sly Stone effect" on the album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/head-to-the-sky-19730817|title=Earth, Wind & Fire Head To The Sky|date=August 17, 1973|author=Aletti, Vince|author-link=Vince Aletti|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Tony Palermo of the [[Pittsburgh Press]] wrote "Folks like to compare this bunch with [[War (band)|War]], but the first difference that hits you with E,W&F's brand of jazz-rhythm and blues is the smoothness of [[Jessica Cleaves]]' vocal work. Then, the extra slug of R&B in their style".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-ewf-shows-war-lik/126699439/|title=E,W&F Shows War-Like Imagination|page=111|author=Palermo, Tony|date=July 29, 1973|publisher=[[Pittsburgh Press]]|website=newspapers.com}}</ref>

A single off the LP titled "[[Evil (Earth, Wind & Fire song)|Evil]]" got to No. 19 on the ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary Songs]] and No. 25 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Songs charts respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/asi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Evil (Adult Contemporary Songs) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/bsi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Evil (Hot Soul Songs) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Another single called
"[[Keep Your Head to the Sky]]" rose to No. 23 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Songs chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/bsi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Keep Your Head to the Sky (Hot Soul Songs) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Jessica Cleaves left after the album release.<ref name="Nathan-1993" />

==== ''Open Our Eyes'' ====
The band's follow-up album was co-produced by Maurice and Wissert. This LP was recorded at [[James William Guercio]]'s [[Caribou Ranch|Caribou Ranch Studio]] and ''[[Open Our Eyes]]'' was released in March 1974.<ref>{{cite book|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes|date=March 1974|publisher=[[Columbia Records]]}}</ref> Ken Emerson of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called ''Open Our Eyes'' "a pleasant miscellany of Africana, Latin rhythms, well-mannered funk, smooth jazz, Sly Stone, [[Stevie Wonder]] and [[the Fifth Dimension]]". ''[[The Village Voice]]''{{'}}s [[Robert Christgau]] described the album as a complete "tour de force".<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/open-our-eyes-104019/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes|first=Ken |last=Emerson|date=May 9, 1974|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=1111|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes|first=Robert|last=Christgau|year=1974|work=The Village Voice|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref> The album rose to No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Soul Albums chart and No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/blp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes (Top Soul Albums) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/tlp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes (Top Pop Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> ''Open Our Eyes'' was certified US Platinum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Earth%2C+Wind+%26+Fire++&ti=Open+our+eyes&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes|website=riaa.com|publisher=[[RIAA]]}}</ref>

A single from the LP called "[[Mighty Mighty (song)|Mighty Mighty]]" reached No. 4 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/bsi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Mighty Mighty (Hot R&B Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/hsi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Mighty Mighty (Hot 100)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> "[[Kalimba Story]]" rose to No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Songs chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/bsi/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Kalimba Story (Hot R&B Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> "[[Devotion (song)|Devotion]]" got to No. 23 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

After ''Open Our Eyes'' was issued, Maurice's younger brother, [[Fred White (musician)|Fred White]], joined the band. He had previously played in Chicago clubs as a drummer with [[Donny Hathaway]] and [[Little Feat]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

On April 6, 1974, EWF performed at the [[California Jam]], a West Coast rock festival that attracted an audience of 200,000. The concert was televised in the US on May 10, 1974, by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/09/archives/tvcalifornia-jam-simulates-live-rock-session-in-concert-presents.html|title=TV: 'California Jam' Simulates Live Rock Session|author=J. Connor, John|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 9, 1974 }}</ref>

==== ''Another Time'' ====
In September 1974, a compilation double album titled ''[[Another Time (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Another Time]],'' comprising songs from EWF's first two studio albums, was released by Warner Bros. The album got to No. 29 on the ''Billboard'' Top Soul Albums chart.<ref>{{cite book|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Another Time|date=September 1974|publisher=[[Warner Bros. Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/earth-wind-fire/chart-history/blp/|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: Another Time (Top R&B Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

The band collaborated with [[Ramsey Lewis]] on his album ''[[Sun Goddess (album)|Sun Goddess]],'' which was produced by Maurice and issued in October 1974 by Columbia. The album got to No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top Soul Albums]] chart and No. 12 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/archives/ramsey-lewis-the-full-interview/article_a5f3b567-3134-5f16-8c3e-47f6a97b786f.html|title=Ramsey Lewis: The Full Interview|author=Wall, Patrick|date=February 23, 2012|work=[[The Post and Courier]]|location=Charleston, SC}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ramsey-lewis/chart-history/blp/|title=Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess (Top Soul Albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ramsey-lewis/chart-history/tlp/|title=Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess (Billboard 200)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> The LP's [[Sun Goddess (song)|title track]] rose to No. 20 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Soul Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ramsey-lewis/chart-history/bsi/|title=Ramsey Lewis feat. Earth, Wind & Fire: Sun Goddess (Top Soul Singles)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
''Sun Goddess'' was certified US Gold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ramsey+Lewis&ti=Sun+Goddess&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess|website=riaa.com|publisher=[[RIAA]]}}</ref>