Chicago The Band Music Community
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Message from Robert Lamm [5.20.10]
This website, with it's associate community, is a welcome opportunity for me to re-engage with fans and visitors. I read the recent blogs and messages, and it's obvious that as we roll along performing all over the world, you, the audience, are curious about the elements that make it all happen.
The concerts are a statement about who we are and where we are musically. Yes, the music seems to be timeless, created with a unique approach that started long ago. We continue to refine it.
We have (I think) currently the coolest lineup since the original 1968 band.
It is a joy to have Lou Pardini on stage with us. Drew Hester's energy and groove has added a feel we forgot we used to have. And it's no secret that we (naturally) are aging, mellowing, etc. (or use your own metaphor). With our very very busy schedule, we have great players ( Nick Lane, Larry Klimas, Lee Thornburg, Ray Herrmann) who for years have stepped in from time to time, when illness, family, or fatigue requires it. And those ARE the reasons there might be changes on any given night. It is an honor to have these men, who well know the C. repertoire, and who are 'first call' players. All are thoroughly nutty, fitting in with the rest of the assortment.
Last year we were reflecting how time "imposes its will". Yet, here we are 43+years later talking about upcoming projects with no end in site. During 2009 we thought it would be fun to explore the musical depth of the band again by re-recording our biggest hits. The project also served to create new interest for potential tv/film licensing,etc. as well as make a simple statement about our drive to "keep rockin the joint". Also, we will soon make these versions available as downloads in our new store!
We try to, each season, to make a fresh approach to the song list we perform, adding, subtracting, re-arranging. We do what we hope you want to hear, and we hope to keep you interested.
I look forward to your feedback and appreciate your sincerity.
Robert Lamm
Views: 1342
Tags: chicagotheband.com
Comment
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Comment by David Barrett on March 27, 2012 at 6:55pm
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Robert,
I saw you guys in concert a few years ago at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut. You, Jim, and Lee autographed the back of my denim jacket that has the Chicago logo embroidered in red letters. A question for you: If I have this photographed, where can I submit it for a possible future album cover, and to whom should I refer this to, who would make such a decision? Please advise. I hope to see you guys in concert on April 29th at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
David Barrett.
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Comment by Charles Curcio on January 31, 2012 at 10:36am -
Hey Robert,
66 year old pocket drummer here. What I would give to see you bring in an old beat up Hamond B3 with two huge leslie's on each side of the stage. To bad a lot of the younger generation will never get a chance to hear that sound mixed in with the horns. Drives me crazy when a keboard player says, I just have to push this button and I get the same sound. You know they are lying or they are younger then your song list. :)
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Comment by christopher charles daryl mchugh on November 28, 2011 at 10:58am -
you don't need to do anything but keep good health be happy and keep coming over to England. Simplicity itself. Looking forward to your new solo cd which sounds rather spiffing and the lovely zosia on board...thanks sincerely for all your hard work and endevours..your concert at the Hammersmith Apollo in July was the highlight of a tough year for me...god bless .
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Comment by Phil Bentley on November 26, 2011 at 11:50pm -
I have dreamed of attending a concert with an orchestra behind Chicago. I would love to see a DVD produced of the Red Rocks concert previewed on premium access.
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Comment by stephen vickery on November 26, 2011 at 11:11pm
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took my wife to see you in cohasset Ma.....she's been to dozens of other name concerts....she said, hands down...you guys are the best she's ever seen....we're both approaching 60...which is important here in that I just returned from your Englewood NJ concert...to which i took my 20 year old daughter to....same result...best she's ever seen...now that's sayin something...thanks so much for puttinfg your heart and soul into it...and bridging the generation gap....BIG TIME..
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Comment by Tim Shafer on April 6, 2011 at 6:58pm -
I know this is a year later, after RWL's post, but an interesting aside. If there ever was a doubt about the proficiency of this band, it was totally erased when watching Letterman late March 2011. As they were heading out to the first break after the opening monolouge, Paul Shaffer (no relation btw) and the boys fired up 25 or 6 to 4. When the horns hit, it was so sad. I mean, those cats are good musicians, but there is now way they have the chops of Jimmy, Walt, Lee, and the first call men. Their was no punch, they were flat...perhaps it was just because of TV, but...listen, I had to put on the Soundstage DVD and listen to C play it to wash that taste out of my mind. No slam to Paul's band, but no one can hold a candle to the "sentimental gentlemen of the Chicago wind section."
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Comment by Bern Bradley on June 27, 2010 at 2:04pm -
As far as I know you have never done the song live but I think the best thing on XXX was 90° And Freezin.
I hope you guys can squeeze that in at some point.
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Comment by David J Spuria on June 27, 2010 at 1:55pm -
This is such a great site. To have such close contact with a band like this is kinda surreal. In any event, my feedback would be this; Chicago is now free to create the music it wants to create. Die hard fans would love to hear another Stone of Sisyphus type record with lots of horns, some Terry Kath-like guitar and some power house horns. It's time to do a hardcore album!
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Comment by Mary Spence on June 10, 2010 at 8:07pm -
I plan on seeing the you guys perform in Atlanta, GA in July with The Doobie Brothers. Will Michael McDonald be appearing with the Doobie Brothers? Also, this is a very nice pic...
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Comment by carol ramon- youkhanna on June 3, 2010 at 6:21pm -
Well said, Robert! The fact that you stated the coolest line up and the "first call" players sums it up as to what the fans have been seeing out there with you guys. We have recognized, over the years, that all the musical apptitude with the group on any given night ,on stage, keeps us out there rockin' the joint with you guys. We look forward to the new tour with the Doobies comin' back with CHI and hearing the new projects that'll eventually be in our ears. Thanks for your messsage, Robert!
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