Behind the glitter, grooves and Grammy-winning legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire sits a more complicated story, revealing a more personal side of the band’s founder, Maurice White.In the HBO documentary, "Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs.That’s the Weight of the World)," by musician Questlove, the film explores the rise of the legendary band from its beginnings to global superstardom while diving into the complexities of Maurice's personal life.While the project — which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival — celebrates the group’s genre-defining sound and enduring cultural impact, it does not shy away from the fractures behind the fame.EARTH, WIND & FIRE’S PHILIP BAILEY ON MAURICE WHITE’S LEGACY, DEDICATION TO FAITH: ‘I ALWAYS GO BACK TO GOD’Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey, and Verdine White attend the "Earth, Wind & Fire" opening night premiere during the 2026 Tribeca Festival at Beacon Theatre in New York City on June 3, 2026.
(Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)Relatives of Maurice, who died in 2016, describe a man whose personal life was far more complicated than his public image suggested, including multiple relationships and children born outside his primary partnership.Marilyn White, a longtime partner of Maurice, said in the film, "Maurice was not exactly the most faithful person.He had other women on the road.
Maurice, in fact, got someone pregnant while he was out on the road.I didn’t find out until after she was born.
Everyone but me knew.And then he had another son from someone else." She recalled a painful confrontation with Maurice.Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire perform onstage at the "Earth, Wind & Fire" opening night premiere during the 2026 Tribeca Festival at Beacon Theatre in New York City on June 3, 2026.
(Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)"I said how could you do that? And he said, 'I’m a star, I can do whatever the f--- I want....