Loneliness Is Just a Word

Chicago: Walter Parazaider (saxes, flute), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), Terry Kath (lead and backing vocals, electric guitar), Robert Lamm (lead and backing vocals, keyboards), Peter Cetera (lead and backing vocals, electric bass) and Danny Seraphine (drums, percussion). From the album Chicago III (1971).

In 2013, Parazaider, Loughnane, Pankow and Lamm participated in Greg Mottola’s Clear History film comedy. In 2014 Chicago launched Chicago XXXVI: Now, based on the jazz-rock and pop they played in the 1970s, but adding the Adult Contemporary music of the 1980s; and Chicago at Symphony Hall with two concerts the band gave with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 2016 they played on the popular ABC television show Greatest Hits, and Jason Scheff, who had stayed with the group for 31 years, was succeeded by singer and bassist Jeff Coffey. In 2017, the CNN television channel broadcast a two-hour documentary about the band entitled Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago by Peter Pardini.

In 2008 the group toured and Imboden (its drummer for 27 years) and Coffey were replaced by Walfredo Reyes, Jr. and Brett Simons respectively; and Neil Donell joined as lead singer. In 2018 Chicago published Chicago: VI Decades Live (This is What We Do), a box set that compiles the live performances of the band throughout its history; and Chicago II: Live on Soundstage, which includes a concert made the previous year in which they played the famous 1970 album with more strength and joy remembering familiar melodies.

Its latest work has been Chicago: Greatest Hits Live with a recording of another live performance. The logo has served as the group’s main symbol from Chicago II onwards and the album covers collection is a work of art cataloged by its own merits. Jim Guercio, the first and most important producer of the band, said about 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.”