After exiting the group Salty Peppers, Maurice White moved to Los Angeles from Chicago and created a new band. A strong believer in mysticism, the Sagittarian sought inspiration from his astrological chart in divining the band-to-be’s name. Three elements caught his attention: earth, fire and air.

“I changed air to wind,” late founder White says in a clip from the HBO Original documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World). “And the rest is history,” he continues. “Earth, Wind & Fire is basically the true elements of the universe.”

And what a history it’s been as director-producer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson relays in the illuminating, two-hour documentary premiering Sunday night (June 7; 9 p.m. ET/PT). In the nearly 60 years since White’s vision took shape, the nine-time Grammy Award-winning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band has achieved global acclaim and legendary status.

Via spirited fusions of jazz, R&B/soul, Afro-funk, pop and disco, the band mined a deep vein of classic gold and platinum hits and fan faves like “September,” “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove,” “After the Love Is Gone” and “Beijo” (aka Brazilian Rhyme interlude). In fact, Questlove pegged another iconic EWF hit, “That’s the Way of the World,” in crafting the title for his latest Questlove Jawn.

“I love a good pun,” said the Academy Award-winning music historian during a Zoom interview with Billboard following the documentary’s June 3 premiere at the 25^th Tribeca Film Festival. “All of my documentaries have a long title continuation that also explains what you have to consider [while watching]. Sly Stone was about the burden of Black genius. With Summer of Soul, the revolution was happening, but it couldn’t be televised. In this particular case, it’s about human beings. We’re all celestial; all light shiners. But oftentimes, we dim our light to blend in and be part of the ecosystem.”

“Maurice White is basically an orphan, given away by his mother to a neighbor,” Questlove continued, “yet he somehow gets a metaphysical belief at the age of seven in Memphis … a calling to say, ‘It’s my job to bring positivity and love into the world.’ But however well-intended the mission, you must learn not to hold within any pain. That’s what I want people to learn from this: Do not dismiss your dreams. But you also have to let things go. And Maurice never let that anger go of being given away. He was crumbling inside because he had a broken heart.”

Through strikingly candid conversations with group members, family, friends and high-profile fans — and access to a cache of treasures including the group’s recordings, outtakes and unreleased live shows plus Maurice’s diaries, affirmations and favorite books — Questlove delivers a riveting look at the hard work and joy behind the band’s ascension. But he leans into the creative tensions and personal issues that arose as well. Viewers will witness the magic tricks and psychedelic/space-age costumes that became hallmarks of EWF’s showmanship. They’ll also learn what EWF smash inspired one of Stevie Wonder’s own classic hits, among other insightful tidbits.

Above all, “Earth, Wind & Fire taught us how to dream,” says Questlove. “As we continue to search for answers in these very tense times, their music always s same conclusion: the answers are inside yourself. It’s the same metaphysical story as The Wizard of Oz. Listening to their songs during the pandemic was my eureka moment; I realized what they were doing: they tricked us into positivity. This is the story of a band that tricks you into eating your vegetables.”

Ahead of the film’s Tribeca premiere and their performance with The Roots that same evening, EWF original members Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson — the doc’s co-executive producers (Maurice’s son Kahbran “KB” White is a producer) — also sat down for a Zoom interview with Billboard, printed below. Later this summer, the indefatigable Earth, Wind & Fire will launch their “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour with fellow icon Lionel Richie on June 24.

What was your immediate reaction after viewing the documentary?

Bailey: Questlove is really a music historian. Talk to him for five or 10 minutes and you recognize he has an innate gift for knowing a lot of facts about music history. He’d bring stuff up about EWF, and I’ve been there all the time [with the group]. But I’d be like “How’d you know that?” So he was the perfect person to do this because he goes deep below the surface. It’s surreal.

White: He’s an historian and a musician. That combination particularly works well when it comes to the music and the message. He captured our essence and spirits, our manhood and humanity. I’m really proud of it.

Johnson: It’s a job well done.

The documentary also doesn’t shy away from the thorny issues the group — and Maurice — encountered along the way.

Bailey: That’s the way of the world, right? You can’t live life without experiencing the highs and lows, the good and bad, the pretty and ugly. It’s part of what makes us what who we are. And it’s really a testament to the fact that we’re still here, doing music on a very high level some 50+ years later.

Johnson: Philip covered it. The ups and downs all get back to the duality of the universe.

White: When you have a long career, it’s not linear. It moves around; grows as you grow. It has its own rhythm mechanism. [The documentary] shows that we were living our truth.

What is one lesson or affirmation learned from Maurice that you still follow?

Johnson: Three things: commitment, trust and humility. If you believe in something, then you’ve got to commit to it. And you must trust that in the end it’s going to be OK. Then if things get so great for you that your ego goes out of control, then you’ve got to turn on the humility and put yourself back in check.

White: Love for your brothers, particularly Ralph and Philip. The love, the connection, the trust, the bond:  that’s what I’ve come away with.

Bailey: When we were first together, practicing and hoping to go out on the road, there were several times when on the way to the airport, we’d literally get a call that it [a gig] was canceled. I’m living with people and primarily eating oatmeal; I got a new baby. Yet every time things would happen, Maurice would always say, “There’s something better for us.” He never complained; never had a defeatist attitude or statement.

How would Maurice feel about the documentary?

Johnson: He’d feel the story has been told the right way.

Bailey: He’d be proud of it. It’s indicative of who we are.

White: Reese would be really proud that the three of us are still together — from almost teenagers to adults.

And what lasting impression do you hope fans will have after seeing the documentary?

Johnson: Vintage fans will be happy. They’ll think the story was told correctly. New fans will be very enlightened because they’ll find out some stuff about this group they just didn’t know.

Bailey: That the documentary makes the music real and gives people a deeper understanding of the music.

White: Vintage fans will remember that this journey was part of their lives too. And newer fans will learn something about being able to have a mission — as Maurice did — of rendering a service to humanity and actually bringing people together. When people mention our name, there’s a smile that comes to their faces.

Milo J wrapped up his international La Vida Era Más Corta Tour in spectacular fashion on Saturday (June 6) in Mexico City, with a grand celebration of folk and urban music. The rising Argentine star conquered the Palacio de los Deportes with an explosive trap performance, which included a tribute to the late Argentine rocker Indio Solari and Colombian folklorist Totó la Momposina, both of whom passed away recently.

The South American artist’s debut at the iconic venue in the Mexican capital — his biggest concert in the country to date — gathered 21,000 attendees, according to promoter Ocesa. Milo J wanted to make the event unforgettable for himself and his fans, so the show was livestreamed on social media platforms, which he’d announced just hours before.

Considered one of the rising stars of Latin American music, the 19-year-old artist, whose real name is Camilo Joaquín Villarruel, took the stage alongside the Uruguayan band Agárrate Catalina — the same group he collaborated with for his April Tiny Desk performance — setting the tone for a colorful celebration.

“I want to feel this energy! How I missed this place, brother!” he exclaimed with emotion, prompting a wave of applause and cheers from the audience.

The nearly two-hour show began with “Bajo de la Piel,” a track from his 2025 album La Vida Era Más Corta. This was followed by hits like “Solifican12,” “3 Pecados Después,” “Retirada” and “Buen Día Portación de Rostro.” During “No Soy Eterno,” his 2023 hit produced by Bizarrap, he interacted with thousands of fans watching the livestream through a camera.

A tribute to the legendary Indio Solari, the leader of the iconic Argentine rock band Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota who just died on Friday (June 5), came as Milo J wore a T-shirt featuring the cover of Oktubre (1986), the band’s legendary second album known for its Soviet-inspired aesthetic and references to the Russian Revolution. He also honored Totó la Momposina, who passed away in May, by projecting the face of the Colombian music legend on massive screens during the song “Cuando El Agua Hirviendo.”

Other Latin American icons, such as Cuban troubadour Silvio Rodríguez and late Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, were also highlighted during Milo J’s performance, with their sampled voices appearing in “Jangadero” and “Luciérnagas,” respectively. Both tracks are also included on his latest album, which recently earned Milo J a record-breaking 13 Gardel Awards.

Saturday’s show in Mexico City followed his performances in Monterrey and Guadalajara (on June 2 and 4) and marked the conclusion of Milo J’s series of concerts across Latin America in recent months.

Morgan Wallen is addressing criticism following the abrupt cancellation of his Pittsburgh tour stop.

On Saturday (June 6), the country star announced that his scheduled concert that evening at Acrisure Stadium would not go on due to severe weather concerns.

“After talking with local officials and my team, there is no choice but to cancel tonight’s show due to severe weather conditions expected throughout the rest of the day and night,” Wallen wrote on Instagram. “Safety for my fans and crew is the highest priority.”

Hours later, the “Last Night” singer returned to his Instagram Stories with a video message responding to some of the backlash and speculation surrounding the decision. In the clip, Wallen explained that his team advised him that morning to cancel the show after local officials warned of potentially dangerous wind conditions in the area.

“So that’s what I did. That was the information I had in the moment, and I trusted my team,” he said. “I understand that the wind and whatever else hasn’t gotten to Pittsburgh yet. I know it has touched some of Pennsylvania, so my heart goes out to all those affected by it.”

Wallen added, “But the truth of the matter is, I have a large stage that, in those conditions, could become fatal to a lot of folks around it. So I did the best I could with the information I had in that moment.”

The singer went on to address the “nonsense” about him circulating online.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of nonsense about me that is simply not true,” Wallen said, adding that he wanted to “clear the air.” He concluded, “I think my true fans know that that’s not how I operate in general, but I had to say it. Y’all, take care.”

Saturday had been designated a KDKA First Alert Weather Day, with forecasters warning of potentially strong to severe storms. The weather system was expected to move through the Pittsburgh area during the evening hours, with the greatest threat between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to CBS News.

Following the cancellation, some skeptical fans voiced their frustrations on social media.

“Morgan wallen cancelling his show last night is just hilarious because i walked outside after my shift at 11pm and my car was completely dry,” one person wrote on X. “No rain in sight. that man was already on his way back to tennessee.”

KDKA Radio’s Marty Griffin claimed on X, “Acrisure stadium officials fuming. … Wallen left town on plane before they even had meeting and demanded they announce the cancellation after he was in the air.”

The cancellation came one night after Wallen’s first of two scheduled Pittsburgh performances. During Friday’s (June 5) concert at Acrisure Stadium, the country superstar was joined during his signature walkout by former WWE star and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle.