Earth, Wind & Fire, led by longtime members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson, will perform June 14 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The band has sold more than 90 million albums during a career spanning more than five decades. Courtesy photo

Touring today with longtime members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson, the Grammy-winning band Earth, Wind & Fire is the subject of the new documentary “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That’s the Weight of the World),” which debuts on Sunday on HBO.

Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, he told Variety, “They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history.”

“You’re thinking they’re coming from Africa or outer space,” marveled Lionel Richie in the film.

“They made you feel anything is possible,” noted Michelle Obama.

Performing June 14 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the three musicians took time to talk about the documentary, the band’s music and their legacy.

“He did a great job with it, and he’s a great music historian,” said Johnson. “He definitely knows how to make a film, and so I’m really excited about it.”

“It’s a very exciting time for us,” added Bailey, the lead vocalist.

With over 90 million albums sold, Earth, Wind & Fire has enjoyed enormous success for over five decades, forging a distinctive, infectious sound fusing R&B, jazz, Afro-funk, pop, gospel and rock.

Formed in Chicago in 1969 by creative mastermind and spiritual visionary Maurice White, they evolved into one of the most musically accomplished, critically acclaimed and commercially popular bands of the 1970s.

“Maurice was very specific about what he wanted to do and what he wanted to accomplish,” said Johnson. “Fifty-some years later those dreams have come true and continue to flourish, and we’re carrying on the legacy.”

Their many memorable chart-toppers include “Shining Star,” “September,” “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Reasons” and “Sing a Song.”

With a name based on astrological elements in Maurice White’s birth chart (Sagittarius sun, Capricorn moon and ascendant, Venus & Jupiter in air signs), the band personified his desire to mix a variety of musical styles into a unique sound disseminating positive lyrical themes of unity, empowerment and universalism.

Guided by Maurice White’s metaphysical explorations, they referenced Kundalini energy on “Serpentine Fire” and sang about seeking spiritual solace on “Mighty Mighty.” They suggested a doorway to transcendence on “Getaway” and the importance of a higher path on “That’s the Way of the World.”

“The ideal was to render a service to humanity, to lift the consciousness of our listeners and to make the world a better place,” said Johnson.

Channeling funk grooves blazed by James Brown, the progressive vision of Sly Stone and the improvisatory spirit of jazz fusion bands like Weather Report, Earth, Wind & Fire changed the face of popular music.

Known for hits including “September,” “Shining Star” and “Let’s Groove,” Earth, Wind & Fire will perform June 14 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Courtesy photo

“That was always his vision, to fuse different genres of music together, kind of like a gumbo soup,” said Johnson. “It’s still simmering, still stirring, and still pleasing to the listeners’ taste.”

With their trademark horns, smooth, layered vocals, Bailey’s soaring falsetto, hook-laden melodies and intricate arrangements, they became an unbeatable force, first igniting the public in 1974 with the album “Open Our Eyes.” But it was the album “That’s the Way of the World” that transformed them into multi-platinum superstars with funky hits like “Shining Star” and “Yearnin’ Learnin,'” the ballad “Reasons,” and the powerful affirming title song.

Then “Gratitude” catapulted the band into the stratosphere. It topped the Billboard pop album chart and earned them their first Grammy for the live version of “Shining Star.”

Many of their songs, like “September” and “After Love Is Gone,” were marked by intricate, complex arrangements, and the musicians devoted extensive time to polish these creations.

“The arrangements, not just from a musical standpoint but also from a vocal standpoint, that’s where you really see where Maurice and Phil work so well together when you listen to all that tremendous vocal work,” said Johnson.

Bailey added, “Many people helped us to create a great sound. You hear all those different levels of sound and vocals on the arrangements.”

When Paul McCartney was once asked about some of his favorite Beatles covers, he praised Earth, Wind & Fire’s exuberant version of his Motown-influenced song “Got to Get You Into My Life.” The band made the Beatles’ song uniquely their own, contributing their cover to the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” film.

“I met George Harrison years later, and he commented to me that he thought that was the best arrangement of a Beatles song,” recalled Verdine White. “It was originally from the soundtrack, and it became the No. 1 single from the movie. I think we’re the only group to ever have a No. 1 (with the song) outside of the Beatles.”

“There are joyful concert experiences, and then there is Earth, Wind & Fire,” praised a recent USA Today review. “The show was a master class in vocalizing, with ‘Reasons’ earning Bailey several well-deserved ovations. After 55 years, they are still the mightiest of elements on stage.”

“We play for people every night and music brings joy and happiness to people,” said Johnson. “The fact that we’re able to see Maurice’s vision come true and continue to flourish is really a wonderful thing.”

Earth, Wind & Fire will play at the MACC on June 14. Tickets are $78, $98, $138 and $198, with a limited number of Gold Circle seating for $248 at mauiarts.org.