Earth, Wind & Fire | Red Carpet & Live Concert on HSN at the Venetian | Las Vegas Photographer

 I had the pleasure of attending and photographing the red carpet before the Earth, Wind & Fire concert at the Venetian last Friday evening. The concert was broadcast live on HSN Network. I was  there to help out another photographer (and journalist), Sandy Zimmerman from Discover The Ultimate. I was allowed to take my own pictures as well. It was really quite exciting for me since I have never done anything like that and am always up for new opportunities! I am a huge music lover and a child of the seventies (and eighties) and quite familiar with the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. These guys were as nice as they are talented.

This was not my "gig" so I stood off to the side as to not interfere with those who were shooting this as a paid job...

Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White, Phillip Bailey and Ralph Johnson

 Occasionally they would look at my camera too. Yay!

Verdine White, David Foster, Phillip Bailey and Ralph Johnson

 Damien Smith (Manager, Earth, Wind & Fire), Verdine White (Founding Member, Earth, Wind & Fire), Barry Summers (President, Rock Fuel Media), David Foster (Singer, Songwriter & Producer), Philip Bailey (Founding Member, Earth, Wind & Fire), Andy Sheldon (Chief Creative Officer, HSNi & GM of HSN Productions), Marc Bujnicki (HSN, Director Live Events) and Ralph Johnson (Founding Member, Earth, Wind & Fire).

(credit to this billboard article for getting the names I didn't know.)

Verdine White was presented a beautiful bass made by Warrior Instruments as a lifetime achievement award from Zymol. (Makers of instrument care products.) 

Jay Dran Lewis (left), founder and CEO of Warrior Instruments, built it for Verdine personally and it was presented to him by the CEO of Zymol, Charles Bennett (center).

Read more of the story here.

 You can't tell from this photo, but the design on the fretboard lights up. Very cool!

 Had to photograph their beautiful shoes! These guys have style!

A little peek behind the scene.

 The handsome David Foster and his beautiful wife, Yolanda Hadid Foster.

 David Foster, who has collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire in the past, was their special guest for the evening.

Yolanda is on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo.

 

The gorgeous hosts from HSN, Brett Chukerman and Callie Northagen.

I don't know if I'll ever get that opportunity to be on the red carpet again...but it was a blast!

I was thrilled that I was able to stay for the show as well. 

I was allowed to photograph the concert through the first song.

 These ladies were enjoying themselves before the band took the stage.

 Andy Sheldon and Phillip Bailey firing the crowd up for the sold out show!

 Thought this shot was kind of cool with the pixelated guy in the background.

 Sign of the times...everyone with their cell phones out trying to capture the moment.

 Almost time. Everyone is ready!

 The lighting inside the Venetian Theater was spectacular!

Here we go...

 The horn section is brilliant! 

below: Bobby Burns Jr. (trumpet), Reggie Young (trombone) and Gary Bias (saxophone).

 These guys are so full of energy!

close-up of the fabulous Ralph Johnson.

One of the most amazing voices, Phillip Bailey.

 Verdine White is one of the best bass players I've ever heard. And he makes awesome faces while he plays. ;-)

 Phillip Bailey, Jr. He wins best hair in my opinion!

 Father and son enjoying the stage together.

 Left, Morris O' Connor rocking on guitar. 

Right, B. David Whitworth. Full of energy. So much fun to watch and plays the cymbals with his feet on occasion with high kicks!

from left:  Ralph Johnson, Phillip Bailey Jr, Greg "G-Mo" Moore on guitar, and Bobby Burns Jr.

 Up top are John Paris (left) on drums and Myron McKinley (right) on keyboards.

Having the chance to photograph the show, even for one song, was a thrill! 

I then sat down (well, went to my seat, but there wasn't much sitting going on!) and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the show. They put on an absolutely incredible show with more energy than you could imagine! If you ever get the chance to see them, you should! 

This was the Earth Wind & Fire Set List 

Main Show (live on HSN Network):

In The Stone 

Boogie Wonderland

My Promise  

After The Love Has Gone  

Shining Star 

Love Is Law 

Fantasy 

Let's Groove 

Sign On 

September 

Getaway 

 Encore Performance (live online at HSN.com):

 

That's The Way Of The World 

Can't Hide This Love 

Reasons 

Saturday Nite 

Sing A Song 

Dance Floor 

Final Encore for live audience only:

Got To Get You Into My Life 

(So awesome to hear their version of that song and what a fabulous way to close the show!) 


PS. I listened to the Earth, Wind & Fire station on Pandora as I edited these photos and wrote this blog post and it sure kept me moving!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Holly :-)