The bands that are capable of captivating an audience after five decades of recording, touring and still a viable commodity within the realm of acceptable music are numerically single digits.

Chicago 2003, without the retired Danny Seraphin, the departure of Pete Cetera and the untimely demise of Terry Kath years ago, are as provocative, dynamic and captivating as they were during the neoteric days of CTA and gigs at the Fillmore’s, the Avalon Ballroom and festivals that raged throughout the country during those glorious yet tumultuous days of the late sixties and early seventies.  Anchored by the core members of Bobby Lamm, James Pankow, Lee Loughnanne and Walt Parenzeider and augmented by the superlative skils of legendary rocker Bill Champin, i.e., Sons

Image By Don Aters

of Champlin, and Jason Scheff, Tris Imbodinand Keith Hovland. 

Orchestrated as a two hour musical extravaganza that features songs from each decade, the entire performance was a masterpiece in terms of execution, stage presence and the dynamics that are only synonymous with bands of this magnitude.  They are the embodiment of the Woodstock Generation, a survivor of the era and a link to the carefree days of counter culture and nomadic travels to see the icons that most of us patterned out lives to as the youth of America in search of our own identity. 

As I sat and watched the precision of “Chicago”, memories of the west suburbs, Old Towne Chicago and Piper’s Alley seemed to spring from the recesses of my mind and the glory of the “Chicago Sound” once again reigned supreme as the Mecca for the music that would bond an entire generation and set us free from the conformity of those who came before us. 

The band and subsequent members are now a national treasure, a gift that has transcended the ages and still relatively youthful by today’s standards.  Inquiries of the Hall of Fame and the omission of the band are now a question of the day.  How can a band that can continuously attract SRO crowds across the globe be denied their rightful place in the echelons of music immortality?  Isn’t the hierarchy of this immortality predicated on the ability to endure, and based on a body of work that has rarely been equaled and never surpassed?  The politics of this hallowed structure has become somewhat tainted in the last few years with the election of bands, i.e., musicians with a miniscule recording life and the departure of skill replaced with volume and banality.                                          Image By Don Aters

Those elected can now cast votes but assuredly will vote for others of the same ilk long before casting votes for legendary bands that have weathered the storm and with the tenacity of youthful minstrels in search of the proverbial “lost chord”, continue to amaze and garner  the respect that is the mirrored image when speaking of  a band with the legacy of Chicago.  Wit that said, the history of the band has been well documented, and their legend only grows as others from the day linger in virtual obscurity. 

It is a credit to the industry, to those who know the power of the music and the members of the band that were as an aspiring “rock” band with a innovative horn section when still known as “The Big Thing”.  I doubt validation through the Hall of Fame will be need in the final analysis of musical greatness for this band and a live performance is definitely an awakening for all other aging icons of the genre.  In terms of music and impact on society… this is as good as it gets. 

May they walk with the God of choice and forever “Rock In Peace”.

As always

Peace

Don Aters - Haight Street Music News

Image By Don Aters