Andrew Woolfolk, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist for Earth, Wind & Fire, has passed away after a six-year illness, bandleader Philip Bailey confirmed in a social media post Tuesday afternoon. The rock and roll celebrity member was 71 years old.
Billy wrote on Instagram: “I met him in high school, and we quickly became friends and bandmates. His name was Andrew Paul Woolfolk. We lost him today, after being sick for over 6 years. He’s gone forever, from this land of the dead to the land of the living.” Great memories. Great talent. Funny. Competitive. Quick-witted. Always determination. Boskey… I’ll see you on the other side, my friend.”
Jazz great Christian McBride replied, “I’m so sorry to hear that.” “What a major part of the EWF legacy.”
Woolfolk joined the band in 1972, several years after the group’s founding – succeeding Ronnie Laws as a sax player – but was recruited by his high school friend Billy in time for the dizzying array of successes in the mid-1970s and beyond.
His first career with the band began from the 1973 album “Open Your Eyes” with the band discontinued a decade later. He returned for an EWF reunion in 1987 and stayed with the band for another six years, eventually leaving in 1993. Besides soprano sax, he also played the flute and percussion for the band.
Among the great albums he played during the group’s original run were the blockbuster movie “That the Way of the World” as well as albums including “All ‘N All”, “Gratitude” and “Spirit”.
More is coming…
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