One of Editor & Publisher’s ‘10 That Do It Right 2021’

Plentiful sunshine. High 83F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Clear skies. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

When Philip Bailey needed a trim before the Champaign show, Aush Knox made a house call, leaving his Beard Culture Barber Shop and Gallery in Urbana for State Farm Center.

This story appeared in Friday's print editions, part of our weekly Meeting Minutes & More special section.

Jeff D'Alessio is editor of The News-Gazette. His email is jdalessio@news-gazette.com.

For the third time in their 52 funk-filled years as a band, the ageless act that gave us “September,” “Let’s Groove” and “Boogie Wonderland” played Champaign’s State Farm Center on a glorious Friday night in early May.

Or, as it’s known in the “Dinner Suggestions” section of Earth, Wind & Fire’s official tour rider, “Fish/Crab Cakes Friday,” which falls between “Mexican/Chinese/Japanese/Indian/Jamaican Thursday” and “Roast Turkey or Soul Food Saturday.”

That portion of the contract all host venues must sign — long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s six tour coach buses and four 53-foot semis roll into town — falls under the category of helpful hints. Most of the rest of the terms of the deal are no-exceptions requirements.

Picking up where we left off last week and will continue in the weeks ahead, here are just a few of the finer points of Earth, Wind & Fire’s concert rider, obtained by The News-Gazette via open-records request.

— Even at ages 70 (Verdine White, Ralph Johnson) and 71 (Philip Bailey), the band’s leaders still like to boogie, which means a lot of sweating. Which brings us to the required-towels section of the rider: 36 black or dark hand towels and 108 white bath towels, all pre-washed, to go along with a dozen bars of soap and “four clean showers with hot and cold running water at load-in and load-out.”

— With COVID-19 still a threat, there shall be no backstage passes issued, no meet-and-greets “of any kind” held, no visitors allowed on tour buses and absolutely no unvaccinated, unmasked locals involved in any part of the production.

— And throughout the day of the show, a “sanitization/disinfection crew” provided by the arena — and preferably armed with electrostatic sprayers with Benefact Decon-brand solution — should sanitize all “high-touch back-of-house areas,” including doorknobs.

— Other personnel needs: one wardrobe assistant; two production runners “with good, running vehicles,” one of them being a passenger van with room for 15; and seven security guards, including one assigned to Bailey’s dressing room exclusively from 4 p.m. the day of the show until the last band member has left the building.

When Philip Bailey needed a trim before the Champaign show, Aush Knox made a house call, leaving his Beard Culture Barber Shop and Gallery in Urbana for State Farm Center.

— Earth, Wind & Fire requires three dressing rooms — one just for Bailey, one for White and Johnson to split and one for a band of nine men, all equipped with clothing racks on wheels, make-up lights, clean leather furniture, full-length mirrors, tables, chairs, showers and “working, clean toilets.” Plus, depending on the occupant, a very specific list of food and beverages.

— Topping the must-haves in Bailey’s room: “Two pounds of fresh, raw ginger root,” with the ginger “juiced and separated into a container of ginger pulp and a container of ginger juice — so both the pulp and liquid are to be kept!”

— Bailey also requires one “either very clean or brand-new brewing drip/coffee pot” to be used to brew ... wait for it ... ginger tea; six bottles of ginger ale; packets of “quality-brand” green tea; six bottles of Essentia Iodized hydration 9.5-ph water (kept at room temperature); a hummus, tabbouleh and pita-bread platter; trail mix with cashews; and two bottles or cans of unflavored coconut water.

— White, the band’s founding bassist, and Johnson, its 50-year percussionist, have a longer list for the room they share, one that includes one bunch of whole organic bananas; whole-wheat bread or whole-wheat crackers; raw/roasted nuts; granola or power bars; a selection of baked chips, veggie chips or rice crackers; six half-chilled, half-room-temperature bottles of Fiji water or Smartwater; four bottles or cans of ginger ale; two bottles of chilled Gatorade; two bottles of vanilla Muscle Milk; two bottles of unflavored coconut water; one bottle of red wine and four wine glasses.

This story appeared in Friday's print editions, part of our weekly Meeting Minutes & More special section.

— Among the band dressing room’s must-haves: two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon; 10 wine glasses; a six-pack of beer (shopper’s choice: Stella Artois, Peroni or Heineken); grilled veggies; in-season, fresh organic berries; small jars of honey and agave nectar; two large bags or, better yet, 12 individual small bags of organic potato chips; a loaf of whole-wheat bread and one jar each of organic creamy peanut butter, organic grape jelly and organic strawberry jam.

— And then there’s the crew. For a party of 35, a breakfast of eggs, meats, potatoes, fruits, cereals and drinks that include water (but “preferably not Dasani,” the rider notes).

— Lunch — with the main course being a “hearty deli tray of meats and cheeses; only Boars Head brand if possible” — is for 60.

— Dinner is for 65 — “to be served using china and silverware; paper and plastic are not allowed at dinnertime” and capped by a “chef’s choice of two desserts,” with the options being pie, cake, brownies, cheesecake and cookies.

— One tour member must eat gluten-free for all meals, others will require vegetarian meals, and under no circumstances is pork to be served for supper.

Of the utmost importance, stated Chicago's rider for an April concert on campus: “HOMEMADE, CITY-MADE AND ‘MY DAD OWNS A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND CAN BUILD A STAGE’ scenarios are NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!”

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Each day's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.

Receive local offers from our website and its advertisers.

Top trending stories from the week.