Lem and The White Fire

Lem and The White Fire

Lem and The White Fire is a group from Chicago, United States, active from 1969 to the present. Its line-up is extensive and includes Michael Beal, Leslie Drayton, Wade Flemons, Yackov Ben Israel, Sherry Scott, Alexander Thomas, Chester Washington, Don Whitehead, Maurice White, Verdine White, Roland Bautista, Ronnie Laws, Jessica Cleaves, Larry Dunn, Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Johnny Graham, Andrew Woolfolk, Gary L. Morgan, Fred White, Beloyd Taylor, Wayne Vaughn, Dick Smith, Vance Taylor, Sonny Emory, Sheldon Reynolds, Freddie Ravel, David Romero, Morris Pleasure, Mike McKnight, B. David Whitworth, Robert Brookins, Gorden Campbell, Bobby Gonzales, Daniel de los Reyes, Myron McKinley, John Paris, Kimberly Brewer, John Johnson, Krystal Bailey, Vadim Zilberstein, Kim Johnson, Greg Moore, Philip Bailey, Jr., Morris O'Connor and DJ Demp.

The group is associated with big band, dance, disco, funk, jazz and progressive soul. Its live performances are described as combining showmanship with catchy melodies, carefully arranged instrumentation and sophisticated pop harmonies, with a sound led by Lem’s unusual and charismatic presence. The music draws on a broad range of styles, but aims to remain coherent rather than fragmented, and the group is presented as a live act with strong energy, imagination and individuality.