Summerfest Day 6: Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago

With six Grammy awards, four American Music Awards and more than 90 million albums sold, Earth, Wind and Fire eases into the scope of legendary. Rising out of the politically charged '60s era, the band's soul-funk stylings have maintained a hold on the music industry for 30 years.

Likewise, Chicago, with 21 Top 10 hits and 120 million albums sold, rose above the common rock band stereotype to maintain an active career for the last four decades.

To celebrate milestone anniversaries, Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago come to the Marcus Amphitheater for a dual bill on June 30.

For those who missed it the first time, these two power house bands reunite for the second time in five years. In 2004 and '05, Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago toured together in what was hailed as one of the most powerful combos in recent touring history.

Despite nearly a combined 60 years of writing, recording and touring, neither band shows any sign of slowing down and they're coming back for more. Recent releases include Earth, Wind and Fire's 2009 issue, "The Promise," and Chicago's much anticipated release of "Stone of Sisyfus."

Both hailing from Chicago, these two bands tie American pop-rock to soul funk with longevity and experience unlike few others at the Marcus Amphitheater this year.

OnMilwaukee.com staff picks for Tuesday:

I'm a sucker for Joan Jett, so although I talk of seeing the Wailers (10 p.m. on the Miller Lite stage), most likely I'll be sipping a wine cooler at the classic rock stage around 9:30, ready to rock out with Jett and her backing band, the Blackhearts. I really don't care if I ever hear "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" again, but I never seem to tire of live versions of "Cherry Bomb," "Bad Reputation" or "Crimson and Clover." Plus, it gives me the opportunity to where my "WWJJD?" T-shirt. --Molly Snyder Edler

Yikes. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the M&I Classic Rock Stage at 9:30 p.m.? Maybe. Buddy Guy at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse at 10 p.m.? We'll see. -- Julie Lawrence

I wonder what the average age will be on the south end of the grounds when Earth, Wind & Fire / Chicago headline the Amp and Billy Squier holds court at the Classic Rock Stage. After watching KB and the boys in Slumpbuster rock an early set Briggs, I'll be tempted to go see The Championship at 7:30 at the Mid-Gate Stage. That is, of course, if I'm not helping KB haul guitars and gear to his minivan. --Drew Olson

Check out great homegrown music as power pop outfit The Lackloves plays at 6 and alt. roots rockers The Championship at 7:30 on the Mid-Gate Stage. --Bobby Tanzilo

I'm with Bobby on this one; check out The Championship at 7:30 on the Mid-Gate Stage. And before that, visit our friend, KB, at the Slumpbuster show at 5:30 p.m. at Briggs. --Andy Tarnoff

I'll be supporting KB at the Slumpbuster show at 5:30 p.m. at Briggs, then another local, Willy Porter, plays the Mid-gate stage at 9 p.m. Truth be told, I've seen Porter twice in the last 60 days but I gotta support him at the Fest. The '80s rocker in me really wants to see a Billy Squire too or two. He's "strokin' it" at 10 p.m. at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino stage. - Jeff Sherman

The full Summerfest line-up for Tuesday:

Marcus Amphitheater: Earth, Wind and Fire with Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Miller Lite Oasis: Old Mill, noon.; Speakeasy, 2:30 p.m.; King Town Rockers, 6 p.m.; Natty Nation, 7:30 p.m.; The Wailers, 10 p.m.

Harley-Davidson Roadhouse with Miller Genuine Draft: Grafton Blues Challenge, noon; Denny Miller Band, 2:30 p.m.; Tyler Bryant, 4 p.m.; Joel Pingitore and the Playground of Sound, 6 p.m.; Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, 8 p.m.; Buddy Guy, 10 p.m.

U.S. Cellular Connection Stage with Leinenkugel's and FM 102/1: Groovitational Pull, 12:30 p.m.; Negative Space, 3 p.m.; Munroe, 4:15 p.m.; Uncrowned, 5:30 p.m.; Janus, 6:45 p.m.; Halestorm, 8 p.m.; Staind, 10 p.m.

M&I Classic Rock Stage with Fiduciary Management, Miller Lite, 97.3 The Brew & My 95.7: John Frederick Band, noon; Category X, 2:30 p.m.; The Sociables, 4:30 p.m.; DB Bryant, 6:30 p.m.; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 9:30 p.m.

Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Featuring The Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame With Miller High Life: Rowdy Prairie Dogs, 12:30 p.m.; Geoff Landon and the Wolf Pack, 2:30 p.m.; Slumpbuster featuring KB, 5:30 p.m.; Carter Twins, 7:30 p.m.; Phil Vasser, 9:30 p.m.

Potawatomi Bingo Casino Rock Stage with Miller Lite and 94.1 WJJO and 95 WIIL ROCK: Take the Panda, 1 p.m.; 2nd Thought, 3 p.m.; Circle of Fate, 5 p.m.; Blackbox, 6:30 p.m.; Dot, Dot, Dot, 8 p.m.; Billy Squier, 9 p.m.

Mid-Gate Stage at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Pavilion with Miller High Life and 88Nine RadioMilwaukee: Launchpad Battle of the Bands, noon; The Buskers, 4:30 p.m.; The Lackloves, 6 p.m.; The Championship, 7:30 p.m.; Willy Porter, 9 p.m.
JoJo's Martini Lounge with Miller Lite: Pre-Recorded Music, noon; Off Tha Hook, 4 p.m.; Midnight Groove, 8 p.m.

Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage with WMSE and the Shepherd Express: Soup, 2:00 p.m.; Burgundy Ties, 3 p.m.; Katz Sass, 4 p.m.; Robert Allen Jr Trio, 5 p.m.; The Danglers, 6 p.m.; Jaime Dawicki, 7 p.m.; Keith Pulvermacher, 8 p.m.; MC2, 9 p.m.; Fresh Cut Collective, 9:45 p.m.

Sentry SportsZone With Newsradio 620 WTMJ: Zumba Fitness, noon; The Milwaukee Bucks Experience, 1 p.m.; Milwaukee Panther's Women's Basketball, 2 p.m.; Milwaukee Iron, 3 p.m.; Milwaukee Admirals Hockey, 4 p.m.; Milwaukee Bombers, 5 p.m.; Wheelchair Sports, 6 p.m.; Milwaukee Wave Soccer 7 p.m.; Division BMX Stunt Team, 8 p.m.

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Northwestern Mutual Children's Theater & Playzone: Jonnie and Brookie: Sean Emery: Funny Guy Juggling, 12:15 p.m.; A Friendship Adventure with Ronald McDonald, 1:30 p.m.; Julie Sobanski: Princess of Magic, 2:30 p.m.; The Chickadees, 3:00 p.m.; Discovery World: Kitchen of Chemistry, 4 p.m.; Sean Emery: Family Comedy, 4:45 p.m.; Jerry Frasier: Interactive Magic, 5:45 p.m.; Steve Russell: Comedy with a Catch, 7 p.m.