Chicago

This is one of the biggest longshots I can think of but who here likes Chicago (either the classic 70s material or the 80s pop material)? While I like both eras of this band, I grew up on 80s pop music so I prefer that time period most. I actually don't have any of their albums but I have two best of CDs (Heart Of Chicago Vol. 1&2) that hold enough material that I don't need anything else. They had some of the most bombastic songs in the 70s and some of the most melodic songs of the 80s (I also include Peter Cetera's Glory Of Love and Next Time I Fall In Love though I don't really have any interest in his other solo songs). They are one of my favorite non-metal bands and I listen to them fairly regularly (though not as much lately).

I really like some of the classic hits from the 70's. I've got that "Best Of". I've been thinking about them lately because I was listening to a couple of obscure bands (Keef Hartley Band, & Gypsy from Minnesota), and they both had brass sections that were obviously Chicago influenced.

I like most of their hits (except for Color My World; man, I HATE that song).

tohostudios wrote:

I like most of their hits (except for Color My World; man, I HATE that song).

Yeah, that is a bit of a boring song which I always skip.

I love '60s and '70s Chicago. I have the two disc best of that covers all of their eras, but the first two albums, Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago II are classics.

DallasBlack wrote:

This is one of the biggest longshots I can think of but who here likes Chicago (either the classic 70s material or the 80s pop material)? While I like both eras of this band, I grew up on 80s pop music so I prefer that time period most. I actually don't have any of their albums but I have two best of CDs (Heart Of Chicago Vol. 1&2) that hold enough material that I don't need anything else. They had some of the most bombastic songs in the 70s and some of the most melodic songs of the 80s (I also include Peter Cetera's Glory Of Love and Next Time I Fall In Love though I don't really have any interest in his other solo songs). They are one of my favorite non-metal bands and I listen to them fairly regularly (though not as much lately).

I love Chicago. And talk about longevity...These guys, though they aren't releasing albums, tour every summer. I was raised on their stuff in the 70's as my dad was a huge fan. He saw them at some bar in the Milwaukee area when they were simply known as the Chicago Transit Authority.

There's an interesting story about Chicago's late guitarist Terry Kath that was shown on Chicago's "Behind the Music". When Chicago first got their start, Hendrix saw them play. James Pankow (Trombone) said that Hendrix said to him, "I'm a pretty good guitarist, but this guy is better". Definitely high praise from one of the legends. Unfortunately Kath would die in a gun related accident in 1977.

After Kath accidentally killed himself, it was suposedly Doc Severenson of The Tonight Show fame that convinced Chicago to stay together.

When they got into the 80's, I guess whatever record company Chicago was signed to felt like Peter Cetera was the only star of the group, and they thought it would be good for the band to eliminate the horn section!!! Are you kidding me??? The horn section is the band!!! It just goes to show you that some record execs haven't a clue!

Their early stuff was great '67-'78. Terry Kath was a great guitarist.

I heard them on the radio all the time as a kid.

I always liked most of their eighties hits. I managed to get some of their earlier stuff on vinyl and really was surprised how good it was. Found it almost perfect for vinyl listening.

The first two albums are great jazz-rock fusion experiments, classic stuff. After that there are songs here and there throughout their career that I like, but not enough to go out and get the albums. But those first two are killer.

Also, anyone that likes that early material should also check out the first couple Blood, Sweat & Tears albums.

Quote :

After that there are songs here and there throughout their career that I like, but not enough to go out and get the albums.

That's what the greatest hits cd is for.

Troublezone wrote:

Quote :

After that there are songs here and there throughout their career that I like, but not enough to go out and get the albums.

That's what the greatest hits cd is for.

All you need is The Heart Of Chicago Vol. 1 and 2 (that's what I have at least)

I created a playlist tonight, and I had "Beginnings" in it. The song is amazing...Robert Lamm's voice is classic old Chicago. I know most people think of Peter Cetera when they think of old Chicago, but I can't imagine anyone other than Lamm on this tune!

What Detuned said.....

Naw, you gotta get the first few albums. I think it is Chicago V that has the song "A Hit By Varese" that sounds like something ELP would have done on Brain Salad Surgery. Very proggy.

I think Chicago 17 was the first album I ever bought with my own money, and I still love it all these years later. Fantastic pop songwriting and excellent musicianship all the way around. I also like the earlier stuff, I remember playing 25 or 6 to 4 in jazz band in college.