The GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire aired Sunday, September 21, on CBS and Paramount+, celebrating one of the most iconic bands in music history. Filmed live at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this year, the special featured a full orchestral performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic alongside the band, reimagining some of Earth, Wind & Fire’s biggest hits with sweeping arrangements.
The evening opened with a high-energy rendition of “Boogie Wonderland,” setting the tone for a tribute filled with dynamic guest performances. Stevie Wonder took the stage for a soulful take on “That’s the Way of the World,” while Jon Batiste delivered a jazz-infused version of “Reasons.” Janelle Monáe offered a bold, futuristic spin on “Fantasy,” blending funk with visuals reminiscent of Earth, Wind & Fire’s Afrofuturist roots.
The Jonas Brothers performed “Let’s Groove” in a faithful yet modernised rendition that had the crowd on their feet. Throughout the show, archival footage and interviews with surviving members of the band were interwoven with live performances, tracing Earth, Wind & Fire’s rise from Chicago’s South Side to international stardom.
The show’s title, The 21st Night of September, was a nod to the band’s most famous lyric and served as both a tribute and a thematic anchor. The special concluded with a grand finale featuring all the evening’s performers joining Earth, Wind & Fire for “September,” met with a standing ovation from the crowd and a fireworks display over the Bowl.
CBS and the Recording Academy have not yet confirmed whether the full concert will be released as a standalone album or digital recording.
