Having originally formed in 1967 as “The Chicago Transit Authority,” the groundbreaking, Grammy Award-winning American rock group, which swiftly changed its name to just Chicago, is returning to the Scenic City to perform at Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 29th.
When drifting back, my mind immediately goes to the classic hits from Chicago, like “Saturday in the Park,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and “Will You Still Love Me.” These are just a few of their staple songs, which transcended generations and cemented Chicago as one of the most legendary American rock bands of all time.
One of the more groundbreaking things they are known for, especially during their early, more formative years, is their introduction and incorporation of horns to the rock ‘n’ roll soundscape. Famously dubbed “horn rock,” the sound was revolutionary at the time, and while most bands were using guitar, drums, and bass, Chicago constructed its identity around a full brass section.
Rather than use it occasionally, Chicago directly integrated horns into the songwriting, which also saw them mixing heavy elements of improvisational jazz with funk and pop. Their truly unique sound also saw them fusing elements of soul and R&B with rock, showcasing their prowess and diversity in sound for the time…