<P> Maurice's astrological sign, Sagittarius, has a primary elemental quality of Fire and seasonal qualities of Earth and Air, according to classical triplicities . Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the autumn, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air . Hence the omission of Water, the fourth classical element . Based on this, he changed the band's name, to "Earth, Wind & Fire". Maurice held further auditions in L.A. adding Michael Beale on guitar, Chester Washington on reeds, and Leslie Drayton on trumpet; Drayton also served as the group's musical arranger . Trombonist Alex Thomas completed the then ten - man EWF lineup . </P> <P> The band's self - titled debut album, Earth, Wind, & Fire, was released in February 1971 to critical acclaim, as was November 1971's The Need of Love . Both albums were produced by Joe Wissert and a single, from The Need of Love called "I Think About Lovin' You", with Sherry Scott on lead vocals, provided EWF with their first Top 40 R&B hit . </P> <P> During 1971, EWF also performed on the soundtrack of the Melvin Van Peebles feature film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song . The soundtrack album was released in 1971 on Stax Records and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart . </P> <P> The band developed a growing popularity on college campuses but, in spite of this, some members of EWF started to become restless and the band broke up after having been together less than six months . With only Verdine left, Maurice decided to re-form the group . </P>

Where did earth wind and fire come from