45 years ago, Melvin Van Peebles released his groundbreaking independent film, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. Without a budget for a soundtrack, Van Peebles turned to a fledgling new band called Earth, Wind & Fire and their leader, Maurice White to create the sound for his landmark film.
There are so many stories swirling around the making of Van Peebles’ tour de force, many of them were covered in Mario Van Peebles’ film, Baaadassss. One of the more interesting tales is the story of how Melvin Van Peebles connected with the band that would be known as “The Elements,” Earth, Wind & Fire who would score his classic work.
Since Van Peebles did not have the money to hire a composer, he composed the film’s music score himself. Because he did not know how to read or write music, he numbered all of the keys on a piano so he could remember the melodies. According to Van Peebles it was his belief that “Most filmmakers look at a feature in terms of image and story or vice versa. Effects and music are strictly secondary considerations. Very few look at film with sound considered as a creative third dimension. So I calculate the scenario in such a way that sound can be used as an integral part of the film.”
The score was written by Van Peebles himself and performed by the then-unknown group Earth, Wind & Fire, who were living in a single apartment with hardly any food at the time. Van Peebles’ secretary was dating one of the band members and convinced him to contact them about performing the music for the film. Van Peebles projected scenes from the film as the band performed the music. By alternating hymn-based vocalization and jazz rhythms, Van Peebles created a sound that foreshadowed the use of sampling in hip hop music.
Van Peebles recalls that “music was not used as a selling tool in movies at the time. Even musicals, it would take three months after the release of the movie before they would bring out an album.” Because Van Peebles did not have any money for traditional advertising methods, he decided that by releasing a soundtrack album in anticipation of the film’s release, he could help build awareness for the film with its music.
According to White, Van Peebles agreed to pay him $500 for the band’s work on the film but Van Peebles gave him a check that bounced “all over the place.” While it took awhile for White to get paid, the group’s album was a gritty, funky and soulful sound that was an early precursor to the greatness that awaited the band several years later.
Check out Sweetback’s Theme below: