HARDENED funk and fusion music fans and music revellers in general will have an opportunity to experience live the music of Earth, Wind & Fire - the African-American R&B band that has been taking fans on an unforgettable journey of funky bliss through music of the 70s and 80s.

The tour, organised by Offshore Entertainment Production and Lifestyle 7, will see the Malaysian leg debut at Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach this Thursday.

Earth, Wind & Fire, formed in 1969, has sold over 90 million albums worldwide and recorded eight No.1 R&B singles and eight Double Platinums to date. Its music has been aptly described as having "earthy soul, ethereal wind arrangement and flaming horns".

The band has been nominated for 20 Grammy Awards, having won six as a group with its founding members Maurice White and Philip Bailey winning two each.

In 2004, Earth, Wind & Fire received the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Signature Governor’s Award and was inducted into the prestigious Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Earth, Wind & Fire - with the original line-up featuring Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson - is set to thrill its Malaysian fans with its rich and lively mix of African, Latin American, funk, soul, pop, rock, jazz and assortment of other genres.

The band will be performing some of its most popular hits from its 23 albums, such as Keep Your Head to the Sky, Love’s Holiday, Common Children, Evil, Shining Star, That’s the Way of the World and September.

Fans may also have the opportunity to enjoy this Hollywood Walk of Fame group’s music featured in recent popular films like Madagascar, Hitch, Caddyshack II and Undercover Brother.

Earth, Wind & Fire’s 40 years in the music and entertainment industry are marked with milestones.

The band is the first African-American performers to sell out at Madison Square Garden in the US and receive the MSG Gold Ticket Award.

Having received the Columbia Records Crystal Globe Award for selling the most albums internationally, it continues to rally a worldwide audience with a fan base consisting of prominent political dignitaries. Early this year, the band was given the honour of performing before President Obama and the First Lady at the White House Governor’s Ball.

The president’s comment to Rolling Stone Magazine was that the band is "rhythm and blues and pop staples for me".

Famous singing celebrities such as Beyonce, Usher, Prince and Alicia Keys are just some who have named Earth, Wind & Fire as their musical influence and mentor.

Fans and music lovers wanting to know more about the upcoming Earth, Wind & Fire concert as well as win some free tickets to the concert can tune into LiteFM, the concert’s official radio station.

Tickets to the concert priced at RM888, RM688, RM388 and RM158 are available from Ticket Axcess (www.axcess.com.my).