Chicago: The Band

By Philip Sargent Chicago is a band that plays many types of horns, and they play rock music. Chicago started in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois when a few college friends met together to form a band. The friends names were saxophonist Walter Parazaider, trombonist James Pankow, and trumpet player Lee Loughnane, guitarist Terry Kath, keyboardist Robert Lamm, drummer Danny Seraphine, and bassist Peter Cetera. They called themselves The Big Thing. In 1968 they moved to Los Angeles, California under the supervision of their friend and manager James William Guercio, and signed with Columbia Records. After the release of their first record in early 1969, the band renamed themselves as Chicago Transit Authority. Their first album, which was named Chicago Transit Authority, had many hits including Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Beginnings, and Questions 67 and 68. After they released the album Chicago Transit Authority, the bands name was shortened to Chicago, when the actual Chicago Transit Authority threatened legal action. After that they released the album Chicago II which had hit songs like Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon, Make Me Smile, Colour My World, 25 Or 6 To 4, and It Better End Soon. Two albums later, Chicago released Chicago V which had the smashing hit Saturday In the Park.

In 1973 Chicagos manager, James William Guercio produced and directed Electra Glide in Blue, a movie about an Arizona motorcycle policeman. The movie starred Robert Blake, and featured Peter, Terry, Lee, and Walter in supporting roles. The group also sung for the movies soundtrack. After that, Chicago produced many hits like Feelin Stronger Every Day, Just You and Me, Wishing You Were Here, Ive Been Searching So Long, Happy Man, Harry Truman and Old Days. But finally, one of their singles went to number one in the album Chicago X in 1976, when Peter Ceteras slow, exquisite ballad If You Leave Me Now shot to the top of the charts. In 1978, Chicago sadly split up with their long-time manager, James William Guercio and Chicagos Terry Kath accidentally shot himself with a gun that he did not know was loaded. Guitarist Donnie Dacus joined Chicago for the album Hot Streets, and stayed with the band through the 1979 album Chicago 13. The second phase of the bands career took off in 1981 with David Foster as a new producer, a new label (Warner Brothers), and the addition of keyboardist/guitarist/singer Bill Champlin and guitarist Chris Pinnick, plus when percussionist Laudir DeOliveira departed from Chicago. Also, in 1985 Peter Cetera left Chicago due to busy travel schedules. Jason Scheff replaced Cetera. Jason Scheff joined the band for the final Foster-produced album Chicago 18.

Ever since then, Chicago is still going strong, even though many people have departed (and come), and have written many other hits that didnt make it in here. Hopefully you listen to Chicago sometime, as they are one of the greatest bands in the world.