It's fun to watch or listen to music fans debate, over what turns into a competition between which artist they love the best. Philadelphia's Black talk radio station recently polled listeners via a live call-in about Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Isley Brothers.

The only time I saw the Isley Brothers was with Graham Central Station at the smaller hall inside of Madison Square Garden, NYC. This was the loudest concert I ever attended.

The Elements of the Universe

For EWF, the first time I saw them was at the old Spectrum in Philadelphia.

Some background on this show. The Canadian Illusionist Doug Henning had some success on Broadway in New York City with his magic trick performances. Earth, Wind & Fire hired Henning to create a master illusion for the group, and he delivered.

EWF members took to the stage by materializing inside of Star Trek styled transporter tubes! Wow. It looked absolutely real. Amazing. No AI used.

I've seen EWF three times. Camden, NJ, Philly, and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Brothers Isley

Let's face it. The Isley Brothers have a longer track record with hits from the early 1960s through the late 1970s.

Lead singer Ronald Isley, the only surviving member of the original trio, continues to sing, recording hits as 'The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley' in the 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000 - 2010 decade.

Isley, Jasper, Isley, (Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, with brother in-law Chris Jasper) had five charted hits in the 1980s.

The original Isley Brothers had hits on Motown ("This Old Heart of Mind"  - Tamla) and Wand record labels early in their career. Ronald, Rudolph, and O'Kelly are the original Isley Brothers from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Top Row: Marvin, Chris Jasper, Ernie

Bottom Row: O'Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald

The Battle

It comes down to this. Lyrics in Isley Brothers songs make a deep emotional connection with their fans. They corner the market in this competition with EWF.

For you big thinkers, I don't short change EWF. Many of their love songs feature soulful performances from Maurice White or Philip Bailey on vocals. You can't overlook the spiritual quality of many Earth, Wind & Fire hits.

I give the stage performance edge to EWF.

Verdine White, EWF bassist, has producer credits for the band Pockets, an ensemble out of Baltimore, Maryland who had a couple of R&B hits.

EWF members Al McKay and Phillip Bailey also did outstanding work for Flora Purim. See my 15 Songs: Instrumentally Yours.

Who had the most #1 Hits?

Based on the R&B charts only, and on the original Isley Brothers personnel:

• 7 for the Isley Brothers - "It's Your Thing" was their first in 1969
• 8 for EWF - "Shining Star" was their first in 1975

The Winner?

The Isley Brothers score for both their original tracks, and for all of their covers of other people's hits.

Earth, Wind & Fire recorded mostly their own material. They too did just a few covers. I feel EWF received more cross-over airplay on "pop" radio.

Guess who was the winner of the live radio call-in? The WURD listening audience chose Earth, Wind & Fire. That's my choice too.

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Catch me on Black Authors Matter TV, Tuesday, June 17 at 7 pm Central, 8 pm Eastern. My conversation will touch on how I succeeded in all facets of Powerhouse radio communication despite difficult obstacles.

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