Chicago Puts the Windy City in Earth, Wind, & Fire
January 2009
What happens when the elements of Earth and Fire meet the windy city?
Two of the greatest musical acts in history come together on one stage for a lively summer tour.
Since forming in 1967, Chicago has toured continually, selling well over 100 million albums and charting at least 50 hits in the U.S. throughout the years, including, “Saturday in the Park,” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”
Notable for adding a jazzy horn section to the traditional rock band line-up, Chicago has accumulated enough record-breaking statistics to make even an accountant a little dizzy.
One of four remaining founding members of Chicago, trumpeter Lee Loughnane describes their success as “mind boggling.”
“You have to pinch yourself at some point. There’s no way to even have the slightest idea that we could make it 40 years and 32 albums,” he said.
As part of a collaboration with the World Hunger Year, Inc. (WHY) organization, Chicago has reunited with Earth, Wind, and Fire for a third tour to support, “Three songs for Three cans or Three dollars,” dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty.
Donations will benefit local food banks near each venue, and charitable patrons are given a download card for three new songs, including “You,” performed by both bands.
Also, for over a decade, the philanthropic members of Chicago have given proceeds from ticket sales to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and Hannah & Friends, aiding children with the fatal disease, Neimann-Pick Type C, and those with special needs, respectively.
Loughnane estimates this tour has helped over 50,000 families and speaks happily of the band’s efforts, saying, “It’s great to be able to raise the awareness of the American people….WHY said it’s the most successful donation program that they’ve ever had, so that’s very gratifying.”
The Chicago and EWF concert experience begin and ends with both legends performing on stage together, with individual sets in between.
“The excitement that this show generates every night is unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Loughnane said. “When both bands are on stage, it goes to another stratosphere.”
Calling the tour “hit-oriented,” Loughnane noted that while Chicago has no immediate plans for releasing new music, they have material available whenever a project emerges.
After four decades, Loughnane attributes the band’s longevity to having learned how to keep material fresh and entertaining for everyone involved.
“We still enjoy playing, first of all. We’ve never taken a summer off,” he stated proudly. “You get to look in people’s eyes and see them go back to the first time they heard a song. It’s much easier to play as though we’re playing it for the first time ‘cause that’s really what they wanna hear.”
As far as Loughnane is concerned, fans can look forward to many more Saturdays in the park.
Links: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter
Two of the greatest musical acts in history come together on one stage for a lively summer tour.
Since forming in 1967, Chicago has toured continually, selling well over 100 million albums and charting at least 50 hits in the U.S. throughout the years, including, “Saturday in the Park,” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”
Notable for adding a jazzy horn section to the traditional rock band line-up, Chicago has accumulated enough record-breaking statistics to make even an accountant a little dizzy.
One of four remaining founding members of Chicago, trumpeter Lee Loughnane describes their success as “mind boggling.”
“You have to pinch yourself at some point. There’s no way to even have the slightest idea that we could make it 40 years and 32 albums,” he said.
As part of a collaboration with the World Hunger Year, Inc. (WHY) organization, Chicago has reunited with Earth, Wind, and Fire for a third tour to support, “Three songs for Three cans or Three dollars,” dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty.
Donations will benefit local food banks near each venue, and charitable patrons are given a download card for three new songs, including “You,” performed by both bands.
Also, for over a decade, the philanthropic members of Chicago have given proceeds from ticket sales to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and Hannah & Friends, aiding children with the fatal disease, Neimann-Pick Type C, and those with special needs, respectively.
Loughnane estimates this tour has helped over 50,000 families and speaks happily of the band’s efforts, saying, “It’s great to be able to raise the awareness of the American people….WHY said it’s the most successful donation program that they’ve ever had, so that’s very gratifying.”
The Chicago and EWF concert experience begin and ends with both legends performing on stage together, with individual sets in between.
“The excitement that this show generates every night is unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Loughnane said. “When both bands are on stage, it goes to another stratosphere.”
Calling the tour “hit-oriented,” Loughnane noted that while Chicago has no immediate plans for releasing new music, they have material available whenever a project emerges.
After four decades, Loughnane attributes the band’s longevity to having learned how to keep material fresh and entertaining for everyone involved.
“We still enjoy playing, first of all. We’ve never taken a summer off,” he stated proudly. “You get to look in people’s eyes and see them go back to the first time they heard a song. It’s much easier to play as though we’re playing it for the first time ‘cause that’s really what they wanna hear.”
As far as Loughnane is concerned, fans can look forward to many more Saturdays in the park.
Links: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter
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