Andrew Woolfolk, the longtime saxophonist for Earth, Wind, and Fire and reliable hired gun for a slew of other artists, died Sunday, April 24. He was 71.
Earth, Wind, and Fire vocalist Phililp Bailey confirmed Woolfolk’s death on Instagram. No exact cause was given, but Bailey said Woolfolk had been “ill [for] over 6 years.”“I met him in high school, and we quickly became friends and bandmates,” Bailey wrote, adding, “He has Transitioned on to the forever, from this Land of the dying to the Land of the Living. Great memories. Great talent. Funny. Competitive. Quick witted. And always styling. Booski… I’ll see you on the other side, my friend.
Woolfolk was born Oct. 11, 1950 in Texas, but was raised in Colorado, where he later met Bailey. It was Bailey who tapped Woolfolk to join Earth, Wind, and Fire in 1973. At the time, the group had already had some minor success, releasing a couple of albums and performing the soundtrack for Melvin Van Peebles’ Blaxploitation classicFollowing the departure of saxophonist/flautist Ronnie Laws, Bailey suggested Earth, Wind, and Fire tap his old high school friend, Woolfolk, as his replacement.
I jst got word of Mr Woolfolks passing.He is one of my first saxophone mentors(mighty mighty)👃🏿for him and his family.ewf
71 is way too young. RIP, AndrewWoolfolk, brought boundless joy that will endure for generations. “True Devotion”
Rolling Stone · 1h Earth, Wind, and Fire singer 💔Philip Bailey paid tribute to Woolfolk: “Great memories. Great talent. Funny. Competitive. Quick witted. And always styling.'
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RIP - You all still bring so much joy to so many of us daily. ❤❤❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏
ArTallks 🙏♥️🙏
A talented man! Sending condolences to his family and friends. It was truly a gift hearing him play with his band mates. Rest in power
My condolences go out to his loved ones. Best horn section ever!!!RestInPeace McDeezyDaMD EarthWindFire
Const_Overhaul 😢
R.I.P Andrew Woolfolk💔🎷