Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing in life is certain but death and taxes; another certainty is that everyone has at least one favorite Earth, Wind, and Fire song.

These familiar tunes were in abundance at Earth, Wind, and Fire's July 28 show at the Chicago Theatre. An ecstatic audience greeted the legendary R&B band, still fronted by original members Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White (brother of EW&F founder Maurice White), and vocalist/percussionist Ralph Johnson. Although the band turns 38 this year, their energy and musicality remain undimmed.

Beginning with “Boogie Wonderland,” the band subsequently ripped into favorites such as “Shining Star” and “Sing A Song,” bringing the crowd to its feet. Traditionally they play lengthy jams to showcase the band's incredible skills, and this concert was no exception. Launching into “Sun Goddess,” a 1974 collaboration with jazzman Ramsey Lewis, each member of the band seized the opportunity to flaunt their jazz chops. The exuberant Verdine White played an extended bass solo while dancing, the fringe from his white pants flying in all directions. As always, he charmed the crowd with his enthusiasm, connection to the audience, his musical dexterity, and impressive dance moves.

In addition to the major hits, EW&F rewarded longtime fans with slightly lesser-known tunes such as “In the Stone,” segueing into “Serpentine Fire,” an exploration of African and Egyptian influences in their music.

A pleasant surprise to the set list was “Got to Get You Into My Life,” their stellar cover of the Beatles classic. Fans may recall that the song originated from the soundtrack to the otherwise forgettable 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. As on the original recording, EW&F cleverly emphasized the song's Motown-esque sound by adding more horns and bass

The evening, however, belonged to Bailey. A gifted singer with an impressive range, he proved that he can still hit those high notes. On songs such as “Reasons,” “After the Love Has Gone,” and “Fantasy,” he sang falsetto, reaching notes that seemed impossible. The audience cheered and stood as Bailey dazzled with his still powerful vocals.

Toward the end of the show, EW&F showered the crowd with classic dance tracks such as “Mighty Mighty,” “September,” and “Let's Groove,” reducing the Chicago Theatre to a sea of waving arms. By the encore, they cemented their reputation for songs addressing positivity and unity with “That's The Way of the World,” “Devotion,” and “Keep Your Head to the Sky,” with Bailey urging the audience to shake hands with strangers sitting next to them.

Without a doubt, EW&F still dazzles with their energy, enthusiasm, unique blend of jazz and R&B, and infectious joy. No matter what the crowd's individual favorite songs were, the band pleased all with their mixture of favorites and minor (but still wonderful) hits. The excellent musicianship of the drummers, bassist, horn section, pianist, and guitarists enhanced the EW&F catalog and breathed new life into their material.

For the record, my favorite Earth, Wind, and Fire song? “Let's Groove.”