Short answers, pulled from the story.
Maurice White named the band after the classical elements associated with his astrological sign, Sagittarius. According to classical triplicities, Sagittarius carries a primary elemental quality of fire and seasonal qualities of earth and air. Water, the fourth classical element, was deliberately left out.
Maurice White founded Earth, Wind & Fire. He was a former session drummer at Chess Records and a former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio who joined two friends, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, in Chicago in 1969 to form a songwriting team that eventually became the band.
Earth, Wind & Fire has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making them among the best-selling bands in history.
Earth, Wind & Fire has won six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations. Their wins include Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Shining Star," Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for All 'n All, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the 6th of March 2000, at the 15th annual ceremony held at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Hip-hop artist Lil' Kim presented the induction, and the band received a standing ovation.
That's the Way of the World, released in March 1975, was Earth, Wind & Fire's first album to reach No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. It was also the album that produced "Shining Star," the single that made EWF the first Black act to top both the Billboard album and singles charts simultaneously.