Chicago Biography:

Chicago was formed in Chicago, Illinois by 1967 as a jazz, rock and pop band. The band composed of members such as Bill Champlin , Keith Howland, Tris Imboden, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider and Jason Scheff. Members have also included, Dawayne Bailey, Peter Cetera, Donnie Dacus, Laudir DeOliveira, Terry Kath, Chris Pinnick as well as Danny Seraphine.

By 70s and 80s the band had a stable stream of hits. The group is one of the most successful and longest running pop-rock and roll band in the United States. By 1969, the band released The Chicago Transit Authority and was followed by Chicago in 1970. The album however, was later renamed Chicago II. By 1967, Terry Kath and Walter Parazaider formed Big Thing. The two were joined by James William Guercio, who had worked with the Buckinghams and Blood, Sweat and Tears as a Columbia staff producer, they changed their name to the Chicago Transit Authority. The debut album Chicago Transit Authority in 1969, like BS&T's, was an extensive double album, which includes amazing jazzy instrumentals, extended jams featuring Latin percussion, and experimental, feedback-laden guitar concept.

Chicago shortened its name and moved toward MOR pop, under the management of James William Guercio with a series of hits that made the band a constant presence on AM radio and kept its albums in the gold and platinum range.

By 1977, the gifted band left James William Guercio, who had established his own Caribou studio. Terry Kath died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1978; he was then replaced by Donnie Dacus, formerly with Stephen Stills and Boz Scaggs. By 1981, Columbia, which had sold millions of Chicago records, dropped the group from its roster. The band transferred to Warner Brothers and began a second-stage streak of hits such as Hard to Say I’m Sorry, You’re the Inspiration, What Can I Say, You’re Not Alone and many more.

By 1981, Peter Cetera released a self-titled solo album. Peter left the group by 1985 and was replaced by Jason Scheff, who is the son of longtime Elvis Presley bassist Jerry Scheff. In spite of boasting a top five hit single in Will You Still Love Me?, 1986's Chicago 18 only went gold. The band recovered with Chicago 19, released in the spring of 1988. By 1988, the band replaced producer David Foster with Ron Nevison and Chas Sanford, and they topped the charts again with the Diane Warren-composed single, Look Away from the album Chicago 19. The album also yielded three more Top 10 hits. Notwithstanding the personnel changes over the years, the band still keeps active more than 3 1/2 decades after its founding. By 2005, the band has just completed recording Chicago XXX that is tentatively sent for release in the spring of 2006. the band is also touring wit Earth Wind and Fire.

The Chicago is indeed a fantastic group. Their songs were alive even for the next generation. For the music of Chicago will always live in the hearts of music lovers especially their supporters.