Philip Bailey

Known for his enviable vocal range and distinctive falsetto, singer Philip Bailey made his name as a member of the legendary soul-funk band Earth, Wind & Fire. He’s also a Grammy-winning solo artist who teamed up with Phil Collins for the ’80s smash “Easy Lover.” • The Denver native initially played in a local band called Friends & Love. While studying at the University of Colorado, he was invited to join Earth, Wind & Fire by founder Maurice White. • As a member of EWF, he sang lead vocals on classics like “Devotion,” “Reasons,” “Fantasy,” and “Guiding Lights.” • Bailey released his debut album, Continuation, in 1983. The single “I Know” went Top 10 on Billboard’s R&B chart. • He went gospel for his second solo album, 1984’s The Wonders of His Love. The LP went Top 20 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums charts. • Bailey’s best-selling solo album was 1984’s Chinese Wall, which just missed the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 en route to going gold. • Chinese Wall features “Easy Lover,” Bailey’s blockbuster collaboration with Phil Collins. The single reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Bailey his first and only Top 5 solo pop hit. • In 1987, Bailey won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Male, for his album Triumph. • More albums followed during the ’80s and ’90s, but Bailey took a long break from releasing solo work after 2002’s Soul on Jazz. He returned in 2019 with Love Will Find a Way, a jazz album featuring contemporary genre greats like Robert Glasper and Kamasi Washington.