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FAQ |
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Chicago Frequently Asked Questions, Answers and Information |
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The following is a list of frequently asked questions (and hopefully their correct answers) about the rock/jazz/pop/etc. group Chicago.
This is the first revision to the FAQ in some time, and in it I've tried to
make a number of changes to improve the organization and usefulness of this
document. As always, suggestions are always welcome, so keep those cards
and letters comin' in...
-Andrew Vernon (avernon1@risc.ua.edu)
It's been a while since the FAQ ha been revised, so I thought I'd take a
crack at it, as much has happened since the last revision. I'm sure there'll
be some bias, but if you don't like it, write your own FAQ. :)
-Dave Zimmerman (adrock@cyberspace.com)
1. Who Is Chicago?
Chicago is the most successful American rock band ever, in terms of album
sales. They have accomplished this with their own unique combination of
rock, jazz, blues, classical training, and general musicianship.
i) How was Chicago formed?
A: Chicago's original incarnation was a group called "The Missing Links",
consisting of Parazaider, Kath, Loughnane and Seraphine. Lamm and
Pankow were then recruited; The band changed it's name to "The Big Thing",
in reference to the praise mafia types that were common in the Chicago music
business had given them. The group opened for the Exceptions, the most
popular club band in the midwest. Bassist Peter Cetera quit the Exceptions
and joined "The Big Thing" at Robert Lamm's request, who had been playing
bass pedals until Cetera's arrival. When James William Guercio took over,
he renamed them Chicago Transit Authority, after the public transit system
that he used to take to music gigs. Mayor Richard Daley threatened suit over
the use of the name and Guercio shortened it to Chicago. Ironically, Chicago
later threatened a countersuit went the CTA used "Does Anybody Really Know
What Time It Is?" to promote their transit system.
-Mark Rathwell
ii) The Chicago Family Tree
[MARK 1: February 15, 1967 - ??, 1974]
Members:
Peter Cetera: Electric bass, lead & background vocals
Terry Kath: Guitars, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion, backrnd. vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Comments:
[MARK 1a: ??, 1974 - January 23, 1978]
Peter Cetera: Electric bass, acoustic guitar, lead & background vocals
Terry Kath: Guitars, electric bass, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion, lead &
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, lead & background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Laudir De Oliveira: Congas, Bongos, Latin Percussion
Comments:
Latin percussionist Laudir De Oliveira was added, because Danny Seraphine
had gone from a rhythm drummer to a 'lead drummer' according to Terry Kath.
The group became more diverse musically, allowing various members to swap
instruments (Kath on bass, Cetera on guitar, etc) and allowing other members
(Loughnane/Pankow) who had not sung lead vocals previously to do so. This
lineup recorded albums VII-XI.
[MARK 2: ??, 1978 - ??, 1979]
Members:
Peter Cetera: Electric bass, acoustic guitar, lead & background vocals
Donnie Dacus: Guitars, electric bass, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion, lead &
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, lead & background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Laudir De Oliveira: Congas, Bongos, Latin Percussion
Comments:
After Terry Kath's accidental shooting death, the band regrouped, believing
that Kath would have wanted them to continue. They recruited Texas-born
guitarist Donnie Dacus, who had previously played with Steven Stills and
starred in the motion picture "Hair". After a small-venue tour in the latter
half of 1978, the band released 'Hot Streets'. The following year, 'Chicago
13' was released.
[MARK 3: ??, 1980 - ??, 1981]
Members:
Peter Cetera: Electric bass, acoustic guitar, lead & background vocals
Chris Pinnick: Acoustic & electric guitars
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Laudir De Oliveira: Congas, Bongos, Latin Percussion
Comments:
Dacus, who had supposedly never fit in with the band, left/was fired, and
replaced by session guitarist Chris Pinnick. This incarnation of the band
released one album, Chicago XIV, their first foray into the adult
contemporary arena.
[MARK 4: ??, 198? - ??, 1981]
Members:
Peter Cetera: Electric bass, acoustic guitar, lead & background vocals
Chris Pinnick: Acoustic & electric guitars
Marty Grebb: Saxophones, guitars
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Laudir De Oliveira: Congas, Bongos, Latin Percussion
Comments:
Marty Grebb, who played in Peter Cetera's pre-Chicago band 'The Exceptions',
and also 'The Buckinghams', a James William Guercio 'creation' was added on
Saxophones and guitars for the tour supporting XIV, and for unspecified
reasons, left after it concluded.
"From seeing them in the summer of 1980 at Poplar Creek in Chicago, I understood
Marty Grebb to be presented as a "friend" of the band, standing in with them
on that tour. I never got the impression he had been added as a member."
-Robert Drumm
[MARK 5: ??, 1982 - ??, 1985]
Members:
Peter Cetera: Electric bass, acoustic guitar, lead & background vocals
Bill Champlin: Pianos, keyboards, guitars
Chris Pinnick: Acoustic & electric guitars
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Comments:
Laudir De Oliveira left the band/was fired, probably because of the band's
changing style. Bill Champlin was asked by Danny Seraphine to sing a
guest track on the '16' album "Sonny (Think Twice)", however, he fit in so
well arrangements were made for him to join the band. He added the lower,
bluesy voice that Chicago had been lacking since Terry Kath died, according
to Danny Seraphine. This version of the band released two albums '16' & '17'
(roman numerals now considered passe) which marked their return from obscurity
following Kath's death.
[MARK 6: ??, 1986 - ??, 1990]
Members:
Jason Scheff: Electric bass, lead & background vocals
Bill Champlin: Pianos, keyboards, guitars
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Danny Seraphine: Drums, percussion
Comments:
After a dispute about touring, Peter Cetera left the band (probably the reason
that Chris Pinnick left too), to pursue a solo career. Jason Scheff, son
of Elvis Presley bassist Jerry Scheff, was recruited to replace Cetera. During
this period, mainly studio guitarists were used, including DaWayne Bailey and
Bruce Gaitsch, but these guitarists were not considered 'members' of the band.
This incarnation of the band produced 2 studio albums, '18' and '19' and a
greatest hits album, called 'Chicago 20: Greatest Hits 1982-1989'.
[MARK 7: ??, 1991 -- ??, 1994]
Members:
Jason Scheff: Electric bass, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Bill Champlin: Pianos, keyboards, guitars
DaWayne Bailey: Acoustic & electric guitars
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Tris Imboden: Drums, percussion
Comments:
For reasons unknown, original drummer Danny Seraphine left the band. He was
replaced by veteran studio drummer Tris Imboden. During this period, the
band recorded two albums, '21', released in 1991, and 'Stone Of Sisyphus'
which remains unreleased.
[MARK 8: ??, 1994 -- ??, 1995]
Members:
Jason Scheff: Electric bass, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Bill Champlin: Pianos, keyboards, guitars
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Tris Imboden: Drums, percussion
Comments:
Following the 1994 tour, guitarist DaWayne Bailey's contract was not renewed,
for unknown reasons. Following this, the band recorded a big band tribute
album, entitled 'Night & Day (Big Band)'. Veteran studio guitarist Bruce
Gaitsch handled guitar work on this album, except for tracks that featured
guest stars.
[MARK 9: ??, 1995 -- present]
Members:
Jason Scheff: Electric bass, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm: Pianos, keyboards, percussion, lead & background vocals
Bill Champlin: Pianos, keyboards, guitars
Keith Howland: Acoustic & electric guitars
Lee Loughnane: Trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion,
background vocals
James Pankow: Trombone, percussion, background vocals.
Walt Parazaider: Saxophones, flute, clarinet
Tris Imboden: Drums, percussion
Comments:
Guitarist Keith Howland was recruited to handle guitar work, beginning with
the 1995 tour.
iii) Birthdays
Walt Parazaider - born March 14, 1945 in Chicago
Lee Loughnane - born October 21, 1946 in Chicago
Terry Kath - born January 31, 1946 in Chicago - died January 23, 1978
Danny Seraphine - born August 28, 1948 in Chicago
James Pankow - born August 20, 1947 in St. Louis
Robert Lamm - born October 13, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY
Peter Cetera - born September 13, 1944 in Chicago
James William Guercio- born July 18, 1945 in Chicago
Laudir De Oliveira - born January 6, 1940 in ?
Chris Pinnick - born
Marty Grebb - born
Bill Champlin - born June 21, 1947 in Marin County, CA
Jason Scheff - born April 16, 1962 in San Diego, CA
DaWayne Bailey - born October 3, 1954 in ?, Kansas
Tris Imboden - born July 25, 1951 in ?
Keith Howland - born August 14, 1964 in ?
iv) Important Dates In Chicago's History
February 15, 1967 - The original members of the group gather in Walt
Parazaider's Chicago apartment and make a gentleman's
agreement to devote their lives to making music together.
August 28, 1970 - Chicago plays the ill-fated Isle Of Wight Music Festival.
February, 1977 - Chicago & Steve Martin present 'Newcomer Of The Year' award
at the Grammy Awards.
March, 1978 - Chicago becomes the first group ever to recieve the 'Gold Ticket'
from Madison Square Garden in NY.
January 23, 1978 - Terry Kath accidentally kills himself in a gun-related
mishap.
January 28, 1978 - Terry Kath's funeral is held at Forest Lawn, in Glendale, CA
Governor Jerry Brown and Doc Severinsen are among the
mourners.
December 21 & 22, 1979 - Chicago, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles & JD Souther
perform 2 benefit concerts for California Governor
Jerry Brown.
August 5, 1982 - Chicago plays two benefit concerts at Park West in Chicago
for the Terry Kath Memorial Scholarship Fund at DePaul
University.
July 5, 1985 - Peter Cetera puts out a press release stating that he is
leaving Chicago to pursue a solo career as well as an acting
career.
March 25, 1993 - Original release date for 'Stone Of Sisyphus' in Japan. The
catalog number was 'WPCP-5810'.
May 23, 1995 - Night & Day (Big Band) is released on Giant Records in North
America.
v) When/Why did '_____' leave Chicago?
Danny Seraphine:
A: Nobody outside the band knows for sure. There's a rumor that he was
forced to leave the band because of drugs, but the more likely story is
that he was sick of the group's exhausting touring schedule.
"The scoop I heard just now is that Danny was getting sick and tired of
the touring aspect of it and basically said, "I'll be there in the
studio but not on the road. My family has no idea who I am any more
and I want to spend more time with them before I get to old to enjoy
it" and the rest of the band said, "You've been with this band long
enough to know what you were into." What it boiled down to is the band
felt, this is strictly 3rd or 4th hand news, that Danny wasn't going to
be committed any more to the band as far as touring and the band
basically said, Tour or get out. He asked them to remember that he
gave 25 years to the band and that should amount to something. They
said Tour or get out. He said Fine, screw all of you I'm gone. And he
left. Sad, but that's what I heard."
-Michael Potter
Terry Kath:
A: He died on January 23, 1978. There is much speculation about his death;
common explanations include the following: playing Russian roulette,
cleaning a gun at a friend's house, an accident before a concert, and
an accident at a party in Hollywood. In any case, his death was a tragic
accident, not a suicide. Danny Seraphine commented in an interview that
Terry's drug problem was a contributing factor in his death. RIP, one of
the greatest guitarists ever...
Peter Cetera:
A: In the early to mid-80's, Peter Cetera was very anxious to try going
solo, although he wanted to also stay with the group. His first solo
album was seen as an insult to the band, and when he decided he wanted
to begin on a second one, Chicago told him, "it's either it, or us," so
he left the group. Ironically, two current members of Chicago has just
finished up doing the exact same thing...
Donnie Dacus:
A: From what I've heard, it's because he was a more than a little bit
self-centered. He has since been replaced by Bill Champlin on vocals
and several different guitarists through the years.
Laudir De Oliveira:
A: No explanation has ever been forwarded as to why he left. Chances are
he saw that Chicago's music was heading in a more 'adult contemporary'
direction, as seen on XIV, and that music would not necessitate his skills,
which were more integral to the type of music made on albums like VII.
vi) Is '_____' Ever Going To Reunite With Chicago?
A: It's highly doubtful. Peter Cetera said that "once it's over, it's over"
in an interview. Cetera and Chicago haven't really had anything to do
with each other since he left; the same is true of Danny Seraphine and
all the other former members.
i) Why do the albums have numerical titles? A: The numerical titles, i.e. II, III, V, VI, etc., were the idea of James William Guercio, the producer of the first 11 Chicago albums. He envisioned Chicago having a long career (gee, I guess he was right...), and because of their classical influence and training, thought it would be cool to number the albums instead of naming them, something like classical symphonies. Robert Lamm commented on the numbering by saying "Our albums are simply documents of [what] we were playing at the time of their recording, nothing more". However, lately this method of nomenclature has become something of a joke to Chicago critics, something the band must've noticed when choosing the name of their new album, "Stone of Sisyphus"... Jeff Wisniewski mentioned the reason given in the liner notes of "Chicago Transit Authority": "The name of this endeavor is simply 'The Chicago Transit Authority.' For the last thirteen months, these individuals have performed in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco as the CTA. So, if for nothing else than practical logic, they have chosen to title this work appropriately after their professional identity. The purpose of this commentary, however, is an attempt at documenting the complete rejection of any name label, title, or verbal reference relative to the performance contained herein. Corporately as well as individually this artist endeavors to be judged in terms of contribution alone rather than through the tag affixed upon it. The printed word can never aspire to document a truly musical experience, so if you must call them something, speak of the city where all save one were born: where all of them were schooled and bred, and where all of this incredible music went down barely noticed; call them Chicago." ii) Album Discography A comprehensive album discography is available from ftp.cyberspace.com, in the directory /pub/archive/adrock. The filename is discog.txt iii) Single Discography A comprehensive album discography is available from ftp.cyberspace.com, in the directory /pub/archive/adrock. The filename is singles.txt iv) Video Discography Home VideosMusic Videos
- Chicago 17 (Laserdisc only) (1984)
- "... And The Band Played On" (1992) (Warner Bros.) a 65-minute version of the "ABC In Concert Special". Lee Thornburg, currently a member of Tower of Power, is playing trumpet on this, because Lee Loughnane was at home in L.A. "helping his wife have a baby."
- "Chicago: Live At The Greek Theater" (1994) (in conjunction w/ PBS) an 80-minute full concert, featuring "The Pull" from the group's scuttled "Stone of Sisyphus" project.
Feature Length Movies Electra Glide In Blue (1972) - Directed by James William Guercio. Featuring Terry Kath, Peter Cetera, Lee Loughnane and Walt Parazader in small roles. The band plays some of the instrumental music in the soundtrack. Terry sings the final song and plays bass. There is also a soundtrack for Electra Glide In Blue; almost all of the group is on it at one point or another. Really cool inserts in the packaging too. -Jeff Wisniewski v) Solo Projects and Guest Appearances of Chicago Members vi) Unreleased Songs & Remixes Almost everything Chicago recorded ended up on a 'numbered' LP, however, there were a couple of exceptions: 'Closer To You' the B-Side to the 'Must Have Been Crazy' (from XIII) 45. The other is 'Doin' Business' from the 'XIV' sessions. Both are available on the 'Group Portrait' box set. There are also a few remixed songs. The quadrophonic remix of '25 Or 6 To 4' has guitar fills through the 1st & 2nd verses, whereas the orginial doesn't. There are many variants of the songs on '17', notably 'Please Hold On', which differs between the CD & LP version; the same applies to 'Prima Donna' except there is a third version, which appeared on the 'Two Of A Kind' soundtrack. The last is the 'Along Comes A Woman' dance remix, available on a 12" single. vii) What Is 'Stone of Sisyphus'? 'Stone Of Sisyphus' was recorded in 1992 and 1993, and was intended to be the band's 22nd album. However, the band's label at the time, Reprise, shelved the album. The band has said on numerous occasions that on the album they "took chances", and this is probably why Reprise didn't want to put out the album, considering how mediocre the sales of 'Twenty-1' were. One song from the album, called 'The Pull' is available on the video 'Live At The Greek Theatre'. The meaning of 'Stone Of Sisyphus' as applied to Chicago: According the the Greek myth, every time Sysiphus moved the stone to the top, it would fall back down, and he'd be forced to try again. ---this could correspond with Chicago's cyclical popularity, they reach unbelievable highs, and then unfathomable lows, yet they still keep trying no matter what (kinda reminds me of a certain football team known collectively as...da Bills) Sysiphus "cheated death" ---this could be that Chicago was meant to die after Terry Kath died, but they continued on, and tried and tried and finally succeeded with "16" and "17". The only problem is that Sysiphus never succeeded in getting the stone out of the valley. -Matt Surowiec viii) Highest Chart Positions Albums: Billboard ------------------------------------------------------------------ CTA: #17 II: #4 III: #2 IV: #3 V: #1 VI: #1 VII: #1 VIII: #1 IX: #1 X: #3 XI: #6 HS: #12 XIII: #23 XIV: #71 XV: #171 16: #8 17: #4 18: #35 19: #37 20: #37 21: #66 N&D: #161 ix) What Does This Song/Title Mean? 25 or 6 to 4: Many stories have floated around about the song. Some suggest the title refers to a kind of LSD ("Should I try to do some more?"). On an early concert recording, co-writer Robert Lamm said something to the effect of "you had to be there when it was written". In an interview with Larry King, Bill Champlin gave a probably correct analysis-- it means 3:34 or 3:35 AM. The song is about whether the songwriter should stay awake and keep trying to write his songs or not ("Feeling like I ought to sleep...") At any rate, Bill said that Robert Lamm is simply a great songwriter, and may have just written the lyrics like that because they sound good. Questions 67 & 68: Robert Lamm said that the song refers to a man who was asked a lot of questions by his girlfriend in 1967 & 1968. Chances are the man was Robert Lamm, as he broke up with his girlfriend (wife?) in 1968. x) What Is That Dance/Techno Song That Sounds Like 'Street Player'? The song is called 'The Bomb', by a group called "The Bucketheads". It contains samples of the main horn line, as well as the lyric "Street sounds swirling through my mind" which is repeated ad nausem. Some of the percussion from the percussion break in the middle of the song is also sampled.
- If You Leave Me Now (1976) - Chicago on a stage wearing disco clothes.
- Alive Again (1978) - Same as above
- Love Me Tomorrow (1983) - A plain performance clip.
- Stay The Night (1984) - a witty, silly little video that's a hoot to watch. In it, auto mechanic Cetera hangs on for dear life to girl's 442 Convertible while she careens recklessly through Los Angeles trying to shake him off and run him down. The video ends with a car explosion and Cetera being placed in an ambulance, which is being driven by --wait for it-- his lead-footed girlfriend (!). Other band members appear as cops, paramedics and the guys who help Cetera catch his hot-rod love.
- Hard Habit to Break (1984) - A performance clip, interspersed with shots of models (presumably) having nervous breakdowns.
- You're The Inspiration (1984-1985) - Chicago in an loft apartment, interspersed with shots of couples' romantic bliss.
- Along Comes A Woman (1985) - In this tribute to _Casablanca_, Peter Cetera Plays Bogart, while other band members appear behind the bar and in the orchestra.
- 25 or 6 to 4 (1986) - this is a WICKED, terribly underappreciated video. The "plotline" stems from _1984_ and _Brave New World_. In it, a boy is trapped in a high school in which the instructors have been replaced by video monitors. His attempts to 'escape' to 1986 are met with attempts at mind-control and mild torture. Eventually, he find his girlfriend and crashes through a wall into 1986.
- Will You Still Love Me? (1986) - Chicago in a loft, singing as some pretty girls take pictures of them. The grainy film reminds me of the acid-washed jeans starting to come into fashion at that time.
- I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love (1988) - the band stretched out across a stage is all I remember.
- Look Away (1988) - Chicago performs in a bar, Women in city with swimwear and wild outfits.
- You're Not Alone (1988) - Chicago performs in a barn, Women in country home with jeans and undies.
- Hearts In Trouble (1990) - Another "loft" video with scenes from the movie "Days Of Thunder" mixed in.
- Explain It To My Heart (1991) - a REALLY cool video, but I haven't ever been able to see the whole thing.
- Peter Cetera has also shot videos for many of his solo singles, including: Glory Of Love (1986) Next Time I Fall (1986) Big Mistake (1987) One Good Woman (1988) Best Of Times (1988) Restless Heart (1993)
i) Songs Not Played In Concert
The listing is by no means correct, and corrections are welcomed. The listing
will be broken up into albums.
CTA: None (Free Form Guitar doesn't count, it was recorded live)
II: Prelude/AM Mourning/PM Mourning/Memories Of Love
III: When All The Laughter Dies In Sorrow/Progress?
IV: None
V:
VI:
VII:
VIII:
IX: None
X:
XI: 'Till The End Of Time/Vote For Me
HS:
XIII:
XIV:
XV: None
16:
17:
18:
19:
20: None
21: Explain It To My Heart/If It Were You/You Come To My Senses
Somebody Somewhere/What Does It Take/One From The Heart/Chasin' The Wind
God Save The Queen/Man To Woman/Only Time Can Heal The Wounded
Who Do You Love/Holdin' On
N&D: Sophisticated Lady/Blues In The Night/Dream A Little Dream/A Train
ii) Bands That Have Opened For Chicago
1971: Madura
1972: Bruce Springsteen
1973: The Pointer Sisters
1974: The Ozark Mountain Devils, Doobie Brothers
1975: The Beach Boys (co-headliner)
1989: The Beach Boys (co-headliner)
1992: Moody Blues (co-headliner)
1994: Roscoe Martinez
1995: Christopher Cross (Texas), The Little River Band, Bela Fleck & The
Flecktones, various local acts
iii) Bands Chicago Has Opened For
1969: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin
i) Official Books About Chicago
There are currently no biographical books about Chicago available. However,
Jimmy Pankow has said a few times in concert that he is working on a book
chroniciling Chicago's career. Danny Seraphine has also said that he'd like
to write a book someday about his time in Chicago.
ii) The Chicago Mailing List
The Chicago mailing list is currently down. Plans for a new mailing list
are being made right now.
iii) Chicago Resources On The Internet
WWW:
http://www.cyberspace.com/adrock
FTP:
ftp://rever.nmsu.edu/pub/chicago
ftp://ftp.cyberspace.com/pub/archive/adrock
Newsgroup:
alt.music.chicago
IRC:
#cta (usual meeting time is 9:00pm EST on Tuesdays, but stop in anytime you're
on IRC).
iv) Chicago Fan Clubs
There have been various fan clubs through the years:
Chicago Express (1979-1982) - run by Maria Guastella
Association of Chicago Enthusiasts (ACE) (1992-1995) - run by Steve Feldman
Chicago Fans International (CFI) (19xx-1995) - run by Gwen Drews
Both A.C.E. (Association of Chicago Enthusiasts) and C.F.I. (Chicago Fans
International) ceased operations this year. However, they have been replaced
by the C.T.A. (Chicago True Advocates) fan club.
"If you are a fan of Chicago, you will want to join Chicago True Advocates
(CTA), which is a club run for and by the fans of Chicago. The dues are $15
per year and you will have access to vital information concerning the band.
This fan club's first newsletter came out in July 1995 and is Chicago's only
current fan club.
TOP TEN REASONS FOR JOINING CTA
1. You will receive four newsletters per year in our 'Scrapbook' which will
include: information regarding the band's activities and solo projects,
interviews with the band, concert reviews, reminiscences written by Chicago
fans, photos of the band, information regarding collecting memorabilia and
many other surprises.
2. The club has been 'blessed' by both management and the band and
management is working with us to make sure we are kept abreast of all
important information concerning the band.
3. You will receive special editions which will include late-breaking news
about the band, such as concert dates or TV appearances either by postcard
or telephone.
4. You will receive Chicago's tour schedule in time to get those much
sought-after tickets. And, we are also offering concert tickets through the
fan club!
5. You will receive a membership packet which will include a membership card
and another exclusive membership gift.
6. We will have an annual convention, at which time we will provide group
seating at the concert and, most importantly, you will be able to meet the
band personally!
7. There will be a page dedicated to trading for those of you who are
memorabilia collectors -- free of charge.
8. You will be able to meet Chicago fans for the purposes of Friendship,
Collecting Memorabilia and Networking ~~ many special friendships have been
developed this way.
9. You will be able to submit questions to your favorite band member, and we
will attempt to get their personal answers printed in our newsletter.
10. You will be able to participate in this club and be able to offer
suggestions, write articles, or help in any way ~~ or just simply sit back
and enjoy the rewards.
To join, please send a SASE to the following address and you will receive a
membership application:
Chicago True Advocates, P. O. BOX 195, LANDING, NEW JERSEY 07850"
Specific questions can be addressed to me at the following:
Sue Salgado (smsalgado@amoco.com)
i) Band Stories
ii) Famous Quotes
"Yet, for all the bland (and ineffective) calculation, it's hard to find
this band offensive - it doesn't exhibit enough smarts for that. Because
they're too stupefying to be taken seriously, the only people these guys
are likely to fool are themselves."
- Rolling Stone's review of 'Chicago 13' (1979)
"I read it all the time, mostly when I'm taking a shit."
- Peter Cetera on Rolling Stone's bad reviews of every one of
Chicago's records (1974)
"Once again, individual identification will be promoted heavily with an
identifying back-cover photograph: _Richard_ Lamm, ..."
- Columbia Records press release for 'Chicago 13' (so
much for individual identification) (1979)
"When I saw you guys out there, I saw three horn players with one set of
lungs, and a guitar player who's better than me!"
- Jimi Hendrix to Walt Parazaider
(quoted in an old issue of "FM" magazine from the early 70's)
iii) Differences Between Japanese/European and North American Releases
All of the new (numbered) releases from Chicago have been identical, except
for their latest release, Night & Day. The Japanese version contains an
extra track, an instrumental called 'String Of Pearls'. There have been
many greatest hits compilations issued in Japan that have not been issued in
North America, and vice versa. The only 'new' material issued in Japan but
not in North America is the 'Live in Japan' (1972) double-LP. However,
Robert Lamm stated that this recording is slated for release on Chicago
Records in the future.
iv) Did You Know?
Peter Cetera's vocal range is 4 1/2 octaves.
Jason Scheff is the son of Jerry Scheff, Elvis Presley's bassist.
The song 'Tell Me', which featured Terry Kath on lead vocals, and
originally appeared in the James William Guercio produced "Electra Glide
In Blue" movie, was used for the long fade out of the last Miami Vice
episode ever.
v) Where did the idea for the "Chicago" logo come from?
As I think Jimmy Pankow once said, "If it worked for Coca-Cola, it
could work for Chicago!" So far, the logo (or part of it) has appeared
on every Chicago album cover. (On 16, it was on the face of a microchip
under a magnifying glass, so only part of the name was visible; on the
front of IX, the members of the band are in the process of painting the
logo on the side of a building in what made for a really goofy cover,
and on Twenty-1, only part of the "Ch" appreared.)
vi) Thanks List
(In no particular order)
Most of the credit for compiling this document goes to Jeff Martin and
Mark Rathwell.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Jeff Martin
Jeff Wisniewski
Tyler Kloster
Michael Potter
Matt Surowiec
Brian Conn
Marc Greis
Dave Zimmerman
Andrew Vernon
Gene O'Brien
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
Chicago Fans International newsletters, the ABC In Concert special, a 1988
radio interview with Pankow, Parazaider and Scheff, Bill Champlin's 1992
interview with Larry King.
vii) Revision History
Revision Date Changes
--------------+---------------------------------------------------------
28 Sept. 1994 | First Documented Revision; lots of stuff I don't know
| about got changed.
--------------+---------------------------------------------------------
03 Feb. 1995 | Complete cosmetic & info revamp; fanclub & revision
| history added. More concert video & audio info
--------------+---------------------------------------------------------
22 Sept. 1995 | Total revamp, a ton of stuff added. 'Official' version
| 1.0