Ohio Players co founder/bass player Marshall Jones on Earth Wind & Fire kicking them off of tour
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ต.ค. 2024
- Ohio Players co founder and bass player, the legendary Marshall Jones and I recording his autobiography, Ohio Players In The Line Of Fire, on Earth Wind & Fire kicking the Ohio Players off of their tour, after a performance at Madison Square Garden.
Well, in the music industry, it's common practice for headliners to have talented opening acts, but not talented enough to upstage them. So if EWF fired the Ohio Players, that's perfectly understandable because the Ohio Players was no one's opening act, that's for sure.
We all know EWF are great, but I've always preferred Ohio Players for their down-n-dirty funk sounds.
They were a hard-core workin' man's band!
All the bands of the 70's were great. Funk and R&B.
It's so sad that we didn't get to see the Ohio Players one more time with the original members.. They were a helluva band
Ohio Players = Unparalleled musicianship.
I love Earth Wind & Fire and I love the Ohio Players. I was fortunate enough to see Earth Wind & Fire in the early eighties 1st. as a poor kid growing up in the Chi, I however got to see the Ohio Players as well much later in life. I'm from Chicago so Maurice, Verdine the whole White family and original crew blew mt mind. so you're not going to get a devicive argument out of me. By the way I did get to see the Ohio Players finally and that was in August of 1999 and yes even though a few of the original members we're gone the band that they had at that time had the sound that was just as good as their Studio recordings they were no joke
Prince was an opening Act for Rick James we know how that went!
My FUNK BROTHER!!! MARSHALL "ROC"JONES' R.I.P.
I would love to hear a replay from EWF. I have heard that the Ohio Players were horrible live, and EWF were Excellent musicians. So the story sounds so far fetch.
Good story thanx for sharing!
I just love the stories about the bands and what went on. It doesn't make me like any of them less because both bans were some bad mf.
I'm a huge fan of both of these bands. I regard Earth, Wind & Fire a tad, teenie, weenie bit higher because of all the producing that guys like Maurice and Phillip did with other groups and solo artists. That aside, I can see The Ohio Players outplaying them on any given night. Sometimes we all do things that after some reflection, we'd like to take back. I'm sure that The Elements would begrudgingly admit that refusing to supply drums to The Players would be one of those times. In any case, both bands are legendary and very high on the lists of any real student of music from that era.
Shidddd,,, The Ohio players was wayyyyy ahead of EWF and Kool and the gang. How do I know this???Because I was there during this time. Everybody knows the Ohio Players was Popping first before EWF and KATG!!!!
Joe Jackson was rumored to have kicked the Sylvers off tour with the J5 because they were so good.
I could see him not wanting another "family" act who were supposed to be another label's iteration of the Jackson 5 on tour opening for them. But even live onstage, I can't imagine papa Joe or the boys being intimidated by their stage performance. But that's just a guess on my part. I definitely don't have any facts to support my hypothesis on. Thanks for taking time from your schedule to comment.
@@NickBusbeeFunkSchoolRadio There's an interview with foster,Pat and Angie where Foster spoke about it.
@@NickBusbeeFunkSchoolRadio Well, I'm not surprised about Joe Jackson. There were other "family" groups that came out of the 70's besides the J5.
Really? Interesting !!!
@@dannyboyd9462 As per Forster Sylvers.
EWF was hating 😂😂😂
😂😂😂
Happens all the time... 😆
How is that hating they were on the same show I would not risk damage to my equipment neither Chicago had already performed blame their piss poor management team for not having their equipment
Why The Ohio Players are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame people ? If you look at this years inductees it is very disrespectful to keep ignoring The Ohio Players a group that span from 1959 until the 1980's and had tremendous hits from 1972-1978. What about Barry White, Con Funk Shun, Cameo, they don't even get a chance to be on the ballot, but Missy Elliott first time being on the ballot she gets in ? Wow!!! #FunkythangzProd
The Players only had three #1 HITS that charted Funky Worm ,Fire,and Love Rollercoaster that being sad they were funky and they were no joke musically just listen to their take on summertime and over the rainbow from their early stuff.
Everyone knows the r&r hall of "fame" is a JOKE on so many levels...
They had 3 platinum albums in a row.
War isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we must do for self in everything so let's get our own FBA Music Hall of Fame which would include Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Soul, Blues, Funk, and Hip Hop. Corporations can donate money but have no say in how things are run because this is a grassroots efforts.
@@MandinoRock1814 Dddddamn that's right not even War is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, yeah I thought they got in years ago!!!
The baddest band in the land! 🔥
I can remember back in 1969 as a 7th grader watching them when they practiced in a garage a couple of blocks from where I lived! They were our heroes!😊
Funk above all. That shit is real soul, it's church music to me.
Then you know the Bar-Kays.
@@kevinforeman4485 you know it!
Damn wow OHIO players was no joke them brothers was bad!!! (Good)
This cat is a hell of a bassist. I have always wanted to know more about him...I'm glad to have watched this video.
But these are the things that happen between super star bands.
Some bands don't like to share gear.
I do the backline, and I see it all the time.
Fire!🔥
Funny thing about this is that EWF had 2 drummers and thus had 2 drum kits.
It would be interesting to hear
this story told from EW&F's
perspective. Just saying...
Maurice did an interview many years ago when asked about the Ohio Players he said that they tried to imitate then with presentation facts
@@thebigchief1503 I like both bands. EWF was my fav but they were influenced by other bands too. that “ow” came from Sugar. you can also hear Sly, War, Tower of Power, etc in their music. there were no “best “, only favorite. I think my guys in EWF, because of popularity, got a big head and thought they were better. Maurice’s drumming was average, probably because of his time at Chess. I liked Diamond and L Blackmon better. Larry Graham and Louis Johnson played exciting bass. but Larry Dunn was out of this world on keys. Sly was more original. EWF borrowed a lot from others. Ohio Players made some tight beats EWF can’t touch and vice versa. let’s just chill on the competitive bs. Isley Brothers, Cameo, Brass Construction. We love em all…
@@uuakata Bro I never made the claim that EWF was not influenced by anyone I know for sure sly stone because Maurice said so himself now this utter nonsense that they were influenced by war tower of power etc. you know u can’t substantiate I could make the same claim on the contrary that all those same bands were influenced by EWF and to suggest that is like saying Charles stepney ,Maurice & the crew were just sitting on there hands in the studio listening to other bands music you don’t become one of the most important bands of the 20th century by mimicking other artists and not having a signature sound facts
@@thebigchief1503 no no I was responding to what you said Reese said. my apologies for the confusion. EWF was influenced by ToP you could hear it in the ending of “What Is Hip?” and how they ended 2 songs on Gratitude “Sungoddess” and “Shining Star “. ToP song released 1973, Gratitude 1975. horn section of EWF pre 1975 was more woodwinds than brass(“Mighty Mighty “). I followed EWF as a youngster while listening to other bands. as they moved forward, they absorbed sounds from other artists. EWF did influence other bands, no doubt about that. in musical artistry it is definitely a give and take type situation. some say Stevie Wonder got his vocal style from Donny Hathaway. Miles Davis and John Coltrane were influenced by other musicians. just because an artist is influenced by other artists doesn’t take away from their greatness. it’s time we speak truthfully about Earth Wind & Fire.
Something about what Marshall said has got that dude butt hurt! He keeps saying "facts" at the end of his comments, but he never supplies any corroborating evidence to support his facts. In my opinion if he had any interest in facts he wouldn't have made most of his greasy comments about the legendary Ohio Players. He even said that only Black people know who the Ohio Players are. As if Black people knowing isn't enough "validation" for his respect!!! And when I posted the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing Love Rollercoaster, And the opening theme song Fire, for the very successful cooking show Hells Kitchen he totally ignored it. This dude is all up in his emotions, argumentative and couldn't care less about any facts. He sounds like the president of a EW&F cult, rather than an admirer of great talent, and iconic bands.
On stage jealousy is nothing new. Diana Ross and the Supremes had Gladys Knight & The Pips taken off the tour because the crowd was feeling more for Gladys. EWF had a fantastic stage show with a variety of music but they were not as funky as the Ohio Players.
Marshall was a very special person...with a unique style(and no,I'm not talkin' only about the turban)
He was a simple but beautiful bass player.
Sometimes the opening act steals the show from the headliner. I saw the AVERAGE WHITE BAND IN 1995 IN CHICAGO. THEY OPEN FOR TOWER OF POWER, AND AWB LIT THEM UP. THE FUNK WAS NOT STOP FROM THE TIME THOSE SCOTTISH BROTHERS WALK ON STAGE. TOP HAD ALL THOSE ON HORNS, BUT AWB HAD THAT FUNKY-AZZ RHYTHM SECTION AND ONLY ONE ALTO SAX. FIVE DUDES BLOW A LARGE 11 PIECE BAND OFF THE STAGE. THE AUDIENCE WAS'NT FEELING TOP, AFTER AWB. THERE WERE SISTERS IN THE AUDIENCE CHEERING AWB ON, AND THEY DID'NT DISAPPOINT. TOP SHOULD HAVE OPEN THE SHOW.
EWF are real,but the Ohio Players were real real
It all depends on the makeup of the crowd. Certain crowds are better for certain bands.
Ewf gave us thinking music. Ohio players gave us f*cking music. Both equally great bands. I never knew this existed.
Wow
That must have been the beginning of EWF , it was no match after 1974 EWF Smoked!!
Funkadelic also humbled EWF in the early 70s ...but ...after "That's the way of the world" came out it was all over...I saw EWF in the 80s after Maurice left and the energy was not the same...They were on tour with Graham Central Station and Graham funked them out...I saw the "Ohio Players" in the mid 70s on tour with Graham and Graham funked them out as well...I doubt that the "Ohio Players" could deal with EWF on their "All n All" tour....
EWF were not as funky as the OP but definitely a better band. I loved the OP but their prime run which was on Mercury was short lived from 1973 to 1977. From Skin Tight to Angel. After the Angel album the hits had dried up and the band had their own internal issues with Satch taking all the bands money and blowing it on drugs and women causing other band members to lose their cars and homes which eventually led to them firing Satch. EWF had a much longer sustained career with more hits and notoriety across the board.
Ok. Compare their live albums. EWF had gratitude, one of the greatest live joints ever. The players had a live recording that was done much later that was decent but doesn’t compare to EWF. An I saw EWF on that old black show “soul” from their head to the sky dayz that was raw I saw the players do a lackluster performance on don Kushners tv show. Both bands were favs of my but I don’t think the players could have touched EWF live.
Back in the early to mid 1970's EWF used to get outshined in concert by the likes of the Players and Kool and the Gang. Also they would get blown away by Mandrill and PFUNK. Granted these groups did have more experience than them at the time. There is an interview somewhere where EWF admitted that they had to learn how to step up their game in order to compete in a live setting. Hence when they got the cash they added the props, spinning piano and magic tricks. But at the same time they lost me and others with their conscious decision to produce more crossover music. I can't blame them since the " Boogie Wonderland " years with the dancers on stage were very lucrative for them. However not letting a band thats on the SAME tour use your drum kit for ONE night is petty. If they were on tour with PFUNK I would guess that George Clinton would have said yes...🤟🏾🎼🤟🏾
I used to wonder why the other major bands weren't doing the magic tricks and disappearing onstage to compete with EWF, until I read Maurice's autobiography. He said he lost big money on all of those tours. Nobody else was willing to go on tour and lose money for the sake of showmanship I guess. I'm no musician but I've seen a lot of shows and have played a lot of records on the radio. And when it comes to musicianship I cannot tell if one major band's musicians are better musicians than another band's. Certain musicians have special opportunities to shine on solos, or are the focal point or leader of a band. But otherwise my guess is there is probably not a significant gap in overall skills among most of the top flight major band's from back in the 70's era, when they were all in their prime years. But that's just my opinion. I don't have any facts to support it.
@@NickBusbeeFunkSchoolRadio I am a musician and would agree that the talent level was about the same. However with PFUNK during the years when they had the original Horny Horns, several of the guys in the band were legends in their own right. Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker etc. in the horn section. Then they had Eddie Hazel, Mike Hampton and Glenn Goins on guitar, Bootsy on bass and Bernie Worrell on keys.. That was a formidable crew of great musicians and no one else had that much talent on stage at one time. Also, I have to say that when it came to opening acts in the late 70's and early 80's NOBODY wanted to follow Mother's Finest or Cameo. They both were super tight and also had great showmanship. Mother's was and still is vastly underrated. People often said that their sound was too white for black people and too black for white people. Lastly, the most unique show I ever went to back in the day was EWF opening up for Richard Pryor. At the time I didn't appreciate how special the pairing of them together was...LOL
Ohio players can't touch EWF. Can't touch that . Ohio players had a few hit songs in the 70's and they were hot. No doubt.
Funny thing tho is that EWF had gone through such a losing streak of flopp album releases and their notoriety had tanked so bad til when they decided to go on live tour, they had to hire "The Boys" to tour with them in order to sell tickets because at the time, The boys were hot among younger fanbase audiences and this was AFTER "System of Survival". Times had changed since "That's the way of the world" and "Gratitude"
EWF have never been funky enough, good music but they can't hang when it comes to the funk!
If you really know anything about EWF they disliked being called a funk band they all have said to a man they’re music is based of a groove they are a fusion band the point is they can do it all period
@@thebigchief1503 Do it all except hang with a real funk band, that's why they got rid of the Ohio Players, they couldn't hang!
@@thumbsaloft hang with a real funk band LOL the world knows who EWF is only black people know the Ohio Players by the way I do like them but the are not in the same universe as the fire 🔥 period once again they are a fusion band not a funk band
@@thebigchief1503 You've got to be joking!
The players have been everywhere EWF have been and wouldn't be intimidated by them. Can't say the same for EWF who couldn't hang and got rid of them. The Fusion band excuse doesn't work, just admit they couldn't hang!
@@thumbsaloft clearly you don’t know music EWF destroys them in every category there is anybody that’s knowledgeable about music styles knows the difference between a funk band & a fusion band and clearly you don’t it’s not an excuse its a fact
I love EWF and I loved the Ohio Players, but Maurice always looked to be a little mean to me. I don't know which one told the OP they can't use their equipment, but Maurice is the one that came to mind. But like another comment said before me, the OP was not an opening act, no way no how.
Ohio Players were a great group but they sucked on stage. It was common knowledge . Two groups you did not want to see in concert, Ohio Players and Isley Brothers. Pfunk and EWF concerts were events. Ohio Players, great music, but did not know how to entertain.
I HEARD THE SAME THING ABOUT THE OHIO PLAYERS. I GREW UP IN THE 70'S. I DECLINE TO GO SEE THE OHIO PLAYERS, BECAUSE A FEW PEOPLE TOLD ME THEY DID'NT SOUND GOOD LIVE. ONE BROTHER TOLD THEY WEREN'T TIGHT AND SUGAR FOOT SOUND LIKE HE WAS DRUNK THE NIGHT HE SAW THEM. MAYBE THEY LUCK UP AND HAD A GOOD NIGHT, WHEN AS MARSHALL SAYS THEY BLEW E,W,F OFF THE STAGE. YOU'RE ALSO RIGHT ABOUT P-FUNK, THE BAND SOUNDS DIRTY AND UNPOLISHED IN CONCERT. IT LIKE THEY CAME FOR THE CHECK.
@charlesbatts3676 Great musicians, sucked live. But I bought everything they put on vinyl. Intro of Ecstasy is one or my ringtones and their other stuff is still in my heavy rotation. I guess they didn't budget for choreography instructors, laser lights, spaceships, rotating pianos, and brothers vanishing on stage. But, like you said, they could've at least been sober. 🤣🤣
Amazing Earth Wind and Fire refused to allow another group the support of some drums ! Earth Wind and Fire stole rhythms from other groups to develop their band sound which gave them hit songs ! At Paul Serano recording studio they listened to recorded material from E.S.P. copied moods and chopped them up along with RAMSEY LEWIS ! The music business is dirty business dog eat dog : 😮
Who Is E.S.P.?
Brother that wasnt the music industry being dirty, that was one of our own. WOW. LOL! I still love EWF, BUT!! I see them through different perpsective now. Maybe that is why George Clinton put lyrics in "Earth Wind...AND NO FIRE" lol! Now we know! Peace to you!
EWF stole music that’s laughable totally nonsense
@@andrenaetrammell2711 well before you rush to judgment go read Phillip Bailey & Maurice white’s book about their interactions with other bands and as far as George Clinton comment about earth wind & no fire that was before they added the Phoenix horns facts
@@thebigchief1503 I love EWF so I will follow your advice!!!!!!! Thx Peace,
2 U!
I’m not a fan of EWF past 76!
After "All n All"..???
‘All N All’ was the last straw for me. They got to ‘poppy’ for me!
They went commercial for that crossover appeal. Same thing with Kool & The Gang when they got JT Taylor. It worked for them financially but for some of die-hards the soul got watered down somewhat.
@@DeeNice681 so you didn't like All n All..??
@@freein2339
Besides ‘Love’s Holiday’, I didn’t like it!