Thank you, Matt, Chicago is *absolutely* one of the most underrated bands of all time!
Especially the Terry Kath-years - in their prime they were right up there with the very best. Creativity flowed through their veins.
What a tragedy, it's interesting to think where the band might have gone had Terry not F'ed up. I've heard some suggest if he'd been part of a guitar-driven band instead of a horn-driven one, he'd be right up there with Clapton and Page as guitar legends! (Jimi Hendrix once called him "the best guitarist in the universe", for crying out loud!!!) The "Live" version of 25 or 6-to-4 is spellbinding.
Interesting history for the band, too. Most were from prestigious Chicago universities who met at school or playing local gigs. Terry, on the other hand, was mostly self-taught, didn't go to music school, he "earned" his way into the band on merit. (They ALL had merit, obviously, but...)
Early Chicago - brilliance.
Post Terry Kath, Peter Cetera-led Chicago...? meh. But thanks, Matt! One of my all-time favs!
Thanks for the comment Duane! Lots of feelings about my love for Cetera-era Chicago and beyond, we may already have a follow-up post in the making. Cheers :)
Chicago was and still is one of my favorites. I grew up in a house full of jazz, and I think I really loved early Chicago because of the fusion style of their music.
Yeah ditto but Terry Kath's guitar will always be missed. Irrepressible and irreplaceable. Even Hendrix was in awe. First time I heard I'm a Man at a dance as a kid. They spun it I was out there dancing 🕺 then as a lead singer drummer did the song at two concerts in California one at Sonoma State and the other in the rain at Cotati's La Plaza Park. I told the band just get us to the solo and you can unplug. Nobody got electrocuted and the crowd joined in on the percussion fun. I was a reckless bastard of a band leader. The prequel to Lost in Austin: Californiadreams.substack.com sets up my '78 Gladden Fields band rise.
Still have to get through the Rush article. Thanks for these. Never really got into them but im sure your take will make them look better than "I Love You Man" did or Goldberg.
Hard to argue this list- you can still hear most of 'em on the radio 50ish years later! One track I might add from the Peter Cetera-era: "Along Comes A Woman."
It's very much of it's time, and isn't as evergreen as say "Saturday in the Park," but it does well to showcase what they do best.
I can still remember where I was the first time I heard Make Me Smile as a 7th grader in 1970. I knew this music was on a different level from the Monkees and Raiders songs I loved. I was immediately hooked. Chicago music was the soundtrack for my high school years. I loved it all. But then Terry Kath died, and the music went in a different direction.
Not many people remember how good Dialogue is, thanks for including it. I would have put Lowdown in place of one of the later songs.
One of the first CDs my family owned was a copy of Chicago's first greatest hits album (the one with them seemingly going to fall off a scaffold painting in the cover art). This was my introduction to their work, played multiple times, and I still remain a fan of their work- especially as an adult discovering how deep their musical skill and ambition really was.
If You Leave Me Now reminds me of Chuck Berry. With all those great songs, his only #1 was a novelty song, “My Ding-A-Ling”. Despite all that great music, it took until IYLMN for Chicago to have a #1. Just not right. Aside from that song, as well as 5 & 10, I love the list. I had an opportunity to see Chicago recently but was unable to go. A friend who did go said the sappy love songs dominated the playlist. Oh well.
1000% I get so hacked off when people diss Chicago. They were an incredible band. Great choices to showcase.
Thanks Tamara! 😊
Thank you, Matt, Chicago is *absolutely* one of the most underrated bands of all time!
Especially the Terry Kath-years - in their prime they were right up there with the very best. Creativity flowed through their veins.
What a tragedy, it's interesting to think where the band might have gone had Terry not F'ed up. I've heard some suggest if he'd been part of a guitar-driven band instead of a horn-driven one, he'd be right up there with Clapton and Page as guitar legends! (Jimi Hendrix once called him "the best guitarist in the universe", for crying out loud!!!) The "Live" version of 25 or 6-to-4 is spellbinding.
Interesting history for the band, too. Most were from prestigious Chicago universities who met at school or playing local gigs. Terry, on the other hand, was mostly self-taught, didn't go to music school, he "earned" his way into the band on merit. (They ALL had merit, obviously, but...)
Early Chicago - brilliance.
Post Terry Kath, Peter Cetera-led Chicago...? meh. But thanks, Matt! One of my all-time favs!
Thanks for the comment Duane! Lots of feelings about my love for Cetera-era Chicago and beyond, we may already have a follow-up post in the making. Cheers :)
With Terry Kath a great Rock-Jazz fusion band. After Kath a top 40 Pop band.
Exactly. I don't mean to diss post-Terry Chicago as not good, they had some great songs!, but... great vs v. v. good?
Love the band, glad for the exposer! Cheers!
Thanks Duane!
Chicago was and still is one of my favorites. I grew up in a house full of jazz, and I think I really loved early Chicago because of the fusion style of their music.
Love 'em all! I had a poster of them on my wall in the 70's. I still see Terry Kath as the original "headbanger".
What an excellent designation. I’m filing that away. Thanks David!
Questions 67 and 68, Wake Up Sunshine, and Another Rainy Day in New York City are three of my favorites.
Loveeee
Yeah ditto but Terry Kath's guitar will always be missed. Irrepressible and irreplaceable. Even Hendrix was in awe. First time I heard I'm a Man at a dance as a kid. They spun it I was out there dancing 🕺 then as a lead singer drummer did the song at two concerts in California one at Sonoma State and the other in the rain at Cotati's La Plaza Park. I told the band just get us to the solo and you can unplug. Nobody got electrocuted and the crowd joined in on the percussion fun. I was a reckless bastard of a band leader. The prequel to Lost in Austin: Californiadreams.substack.com sets up my '78 Gladden Fields band rise.
Still have to get through the Rush article. Thanks for these. Never really got into them but im sure your take will make them look better than "I Love You Man" did or Goldberg.
Haha 😆 thanks as always Steve!
Have you ever heard of Leonid and Friends? They are a Chicago cover band made up of old Russian guys if you can believe that. They are quite good!
yes! Their covers of EW&F are also great :)
Hard to argue this list- you can still hear most of 'em on the radio 50ish years later! One track I might add from the Peter Cetera-era: "Along Comes A Woman."
It's very much of it's time, and isn't as evergreen as say "Saturday in the Park," but it does well to showcase what they do best.
Speaking my language with this pick, thanks Kevin!
Excellent! You are spot on, I listen to Chicago all the time but I rarely talk about them in conversation.
Danny Seraphine - one of my favorite drummers from the formative years
You and me both, David. Cheers!
I can still remember where I was the first time I heard Make Me Smile as a 7th grader in 1970. I knew this music was on a different level from the Monkees and Raiders songs I loved. I was immediately hooked. Chicago music was the soundtrack for my high school years. I loved it all. But then Terry Kath died, and the music went in a different direction.
Not many people remember how good Dialogue is, thanks for including it. I would have put Lowdown in place of one of the later songs.
Make Me Smie is so great. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Make Me Smile is in my personal top ten of all time. The top place, though, is reserved for Hey Jude. 😉
Dialogue is so fantastic and because they have so many greats tend to overlook.
Thank you
One of the first CDs my family owned was a copy of Chicago's first greatest hits album (the one with them seemingly going to fall off a scaffold painting in the cover art). This was my introduction to their work, played multiple times, and I still remain a fan of their work- especially as an adult discovering how deep their musical skill and ambition really was.
A great compilation!
If You Leave Me Now reminds me of Chuck Berry. With all those great songs, his only #1 was a novelty song, “My Ding-A-Ling”. Despite all that great music, it took until IYLMN for Chicago to have a #1. Just not right. Aside from that song, as well as 5 & 10, I love the list. I had an opportunity to see Chicago recently but was unable to go. A friend who did go said the sappy love songs dominated the playlist. Oh well.
lol IYLMN sparking some feelings in the comments
It was their first #1 hit on the Hot 100. They had seven #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary charts, with "Beginnings" being the first.
Yes, good correction.
Thank you for the clarification. I stand corrected.
I was all about the Transit Authority. Edgy stuff
🔥🔥
They had me at "When we get there gonna jump in the air!"
What i love most about this band is the horns! Awesome