Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire

Lionel Richie, born in Alabama, is a global music icon known for hits like "Hello" and "All Night Long." He has sold over 125M albums, won four Grammys, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and the 2022 Gershwin Prize. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Richie also won 18 AMAs. His documentary, The Greatest Night in Pop, became a cultural sensation.

Earth, Wind & Fire, formed in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969, fused funk, jazz, soul, gospel, and disco. Known for hits like "Shining Star" and "September," they won multiple Grammys and collaborated with artists like Kenny G. Their stage shows were vibrant and elaborate, akin to P-Funk's spectacles. Enshrining a blend of cosmic and uplifting styles, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. Members included lead singer Philip Bailey and the Phoenix Horns. White passed in 2016, leaving a legacy of musical innovation and spirit.