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Home · Entertainment

Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' Tribute Brings Down The House At Kennedy Center Honors

Cynthia Erivo, John Legend and the Jonas Brothers took the stage to celebrate the iconic band's contributions to music.
Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’ Tribute Brings Down The House At Kennedy Center Honors
Photo by Gail Schulman/CBS via Getty Images
By Essence · Updated November 4, 2020

Earth, Wind & Fire made history this month, becoming the first Black group inducted into Kennedy Center Honors.

And the group’s original members were in attendance for the 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors, which aired on CBS over the weekend, where the star-studded event also included a celebrity performance of the iconic group’s 1978 hit single, “September.”

Cynthia Erivo, John Legend, and the Jonas Brothers led the tribute with Ne-Yo and producer David Foster joining the fun as stars like Tom and Rita Hanks, Sally Field, and the members of Earth, Wind & Fire danced along in the audience.

Article continues after video.

And while many on Twitter praised Legend and Erivo for their contributions, the Jonas Brothers’ appearance made some question why they were onstage instead of, let’s say, Boyz II Men, Bell Biv Devoe or even Tony! Toni! Tone!

– The Jonas Brothers did a tribute to #EarthWindandFire …. Was every black person who could sing ever busy? I love JB but absolutely not pic.twitter.com/fDYIX6dEf1

— Irate Swami 🔮 (@Babybob2121) December 16, 2019

How dare they disrespect these legends the Jones Brothers didnt even know the damn words #EarthWindandFire pic.twitter.com/dBEgaU2sjr

— DKT (@darleneturner53) December 16, 2019

So um every other black artist was busy or something? The Jones Brothers really? #EarthWindandFire pic.twitter.com/S5KOHPBy1o

— DKT (@darleneturner53) December 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/SharpHitchRetro/status/1206516601136320512

Despite the online chatter, the Kennedy Center Honors did make sure to pay tribute to one member who couldn’t make the tribute. Earth, Wind & Fire members Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson, and Verdine White remembered their late bandmate Maurice White, who passed away in 2016.

Johnson told Billboard that White’s DNA was part of every Earth, Wind & Fire song.

“He’s always here and we’re always celebrating him and his vision,” he said.

TOPICS:  Cynthia Erivo earth wind and fire John Legend
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