The Salty Peppers

<a href="spotify:artist:4QQgXkCYTt3BlENzhyNETg">Earth, Wind & Fire</a> leader <a href="spotify:artist:6T46cZo3M8wXq5eOoXbZBx">Maurice White</a> was a founding member of the Salty Peppers. While a session drummer for Chess Records and a member of <a href="spotify:artist:4jZOiPysIzYxbDcDEOZmhu">the Ramsey Lewis Trio</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6T46cZo3M8wXq5eOoXbZBx">White</a> started a group with bassist/keyboardist Don Whitehead and vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:4dUwbgj6jgmsBTRxVuCLEP">Wade Flemons</a>. The Salty Peppers had a Midwest hit with "La La La" -- issued on <a href="spotify:artist:6T46cZo3M8wXq5eOoXbZBx">White</a>'s own Hummit Records -- and the track was leased to Capitol, which led to a record contract for the group. (The single was "Un Huh Yeah" b/w "Your Love Is Life.") After visiting California several times, <a href="spotify:artist:6T46cZo3M8wXq5eOoXbZBx">White</a> decided to make the move west and quit <a href="spotify:artist:7Kfrmups2Z3ncDQmNS5jRc">Lewis</a>' trio. With demo tapes that featured the skills of Chicago multi-talent <a href="spotify:artist:0HU0U9kdXEHZVxUNbuQe8S">Donny Hathaway</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6T46cZo3M8wXq5eOoXbZBx">White</a> began shopping demo tapes (some featuring the skills of <a href="spotify:artist:0HU0U9kdXEHZVxUNbuQe8S">Donny Hathaway</a>) around, then signed to Warner Bros., while the Salty Peppers eventually evolved into <a href="spotify:artist:4QQgXkCYTt3BlENzhyNETg">Earth, Wind & Fire</a>. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi