AS a fledgling band, Third World kept their ears to the ground musically. They were particularly impressed by a genre-defying American group called Earth, Wind & Fire.

“They had a great influence on Third World at the time the group was formed,” Third World guitarist Stephen lsquo;Cat’ Coore told the Jamaica Observer.

Coore — who co-founded Third World, along with keyboardist Ibo Cooper — is currently on tour with the outfit in New Zealand and Australia. He said one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s songs — 1973’s Keep Your Head to The Sky — resonated with them.

“We were playing clubs and dances at the time and Keep Your Head to The Sky was one of the songs we did as a band. We did it so well and, for this reason, Third World recorded the song many years later… We recorded it for Polygram on the same album withReggae Ambassador and Forbidden Love,” said Coore.

Founder and leader of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White, died last Wednesday at his Los Angeles home. He was 74.

White — who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — started the band in 1969. Earth, Wind & Fire’s horn-driven catalogue of hits include September, Shining Star and Boogie Wonderland.

Coore said he never toured with Earth, Wind & Fire but met several members.

“I personally never met Maurice but he was truly a consummate band leader, a writer of the highest order and a truly great singer. The music industry was blessed to have had him,” Coore added.

Keep Your Head to The Sky is also the title of White’s autobiography which is expected to be released late this year.