Los Angeles, Californian born (July 4, 1951) Ralph Johnson delivered drums, percussion and vocals in Earth, Wind & Fire for thirty years. Currently he is lead vocalist.



Ralph Johnson grew up listening to lots of music as a kid, but he mainly listened to jazz and the popular Motown sound. He remembers watching a local variety show (The Johnny Otis Show), and patting his hands together to various beats. His father bought him a pair of drum sticks, which was soon followed by a drum. Soon more drums followed, and he began to take drum lessons.



Ralph Johnson's family moved to Inglewood, California, where he graduated from Mount Vernon Jr. High, in 1966. He remembers seeing the Forum being built, and envisioned seeing himself playing there one day. If he only knew what the cards had in store for him. A few short years later his dream would indeed become a reality.



By 1968 Ralph Johnson had become involved with a local veteran showcase called, "Maverick Splash". He joined a local band called, "The Master's Children". He vigorously played and honed his drumming skills throughout this formal period.



One night Maurice and Verdine White dropped by and checked out Ralph's performance, and were impressed. By late 1971, Ralph received a phone call from Michael Beale (Earth, Wind and Fire's) the group's then guitar player. Ralph auditioned with Michael Beale and Verdine White, at Michael's house in Baldwin Hills.



In 1972, Ralph Johnson originally joined the legendary band of Earth, Wind & Fire as their then drummer-percussionist-vocalist.



In 1972, Earth, Wind & Fire signed with Columbia Records, and hit the music charts with their first single entitled, "Mighty, Mighty". This was followed by yet another hit, "Shining Star" and "Sun Goddess" (a Ramsey Lewis contribution).



Next, the band explored the arena of film, by creating a soundtrack for the movie entitled, "That's The Way of The World". Though the film fell to reach the masses, the music from the soundtrack became an instant commercial hit on the airways. The film's title song "That's The Way of The World" would become the band's official anthem.



Ralph fondly remembers working with the late co-founder of the band, Charles Stephey, and discussing arrangements and music theory. He further credits Maurice White for influencing the young musicians to keep their minds open by exploring the music possibilities around them.



In 1984, when Earth, Wind & Fire took a hiatus from the music industry, the group members split and began to work on various projects. Ralph Johnson and Al McKay worked with Motown and produced the Temptations hit single, "Treat Her Like A Lady".



The band re-grouped in 1987, and hit the music charts with the hit single, "System of Survival". For seven years, the band toured and played many countries around the globe. By 1994, Maurice White decided that he would retire from touring with Earth, Wind and Fire. Maurice White used his creative energy to form Magnetic Visions to began work on in-house Earth, Wind & Fire collaborations, and more studio productions.



With Maurice's blessing the newly reformed band took Earth, Wind and Fire on the road without their legendary leader. The fans embraced their arrival with great excitement and anticipation. The band has now incorporated a variety of other musicians and dancers to the show.



After thirty years of performing with the group, Ralph Johnsoncan now be found at center stage. Adding his own brand of slick choreography and smooth vocal stylist artistry to support Earth, Wind & Fire’s signature vocal sound that their fans have grown to love for over the past thirty years.





On April 25, 2000, Ralph Johnson and Morris Pleasure met in Copenhagen, Denmark to begin a new conceptual jazz project. Their third intended party was to have been a bassist who had expressed consideration for the project. The intended bassist had to abandon the project sighting previous obligations, which made it impossible for him to further entertain the ideal.



Nonetheless, Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion and vocals), Morris Pleasure (keyboards and bass) and Steen Kyed (acoustic guitar) prevailed and now comprise the jazz ensemble simply known as, “Auto Caviar" (formerly The Great Dane).



The first release for the band "Auto Caviar" is entitled, "Transoceanic". This premiere album showcases other special guests lending their artistry to the band; including, George Duke, Philip Bailey, Janet Jackson, Pam Johnson, Howard Hewitt, Jonathan Butler, Paulinho Dacosta, Gary Bias, and others…