Longtime saxophonist for the group Earth, Wind and Fire – Andrew Woolfolk – has died at the age of 71.

No cause was given but EWF co-lead singer Philip Bailey says he had been ”ill [for] over 6 years.”

It was Bailey who tapped Woolfolk to join the group in 1973.

His first record with Earth, Wind and Fire that year ”Head to the Sky” was the band’s first to go platinum.

Woolfolk and the group’s hot streak continued with 1974’s ”Open Your Eyes,” and 1975’s ”That’s the Way of the World.”

On the strength of the smash single ”Shining Star” topped the Billboard Hot 100; ”That’s the Way of the World” was EWF’s first Number One album as well and was later certified triple platinum.

In 2000, Woolfolk was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with the rest of the band.