The Great Windy City Band Mystery: How Many Original Chicagos Are There?
Ah, Chicago. City of broad shoulders, deep dish pizza, and... a surprisingly complicated band history? That's right, folks, for those who haven't been following the musical soap opera that is Chicago (the band, not the Illinois kind... although, have you seen the traffic there? It's a whole different kind of band), figuring out who's an original member is trickier than navigating rush hour on Lake Shore Drive.
From Humble Beginnings to Lineup Limbo
Back in the groovy psychedelic days of 1967, a group of ambitious musicians formed a band called "The Big Thing" (not exactly inspiring, was it?). Thankfully, they rebranded to the much more memorable "Chicago" shortly after. This original lineup, bless their bell-bottoms, was a glorious septet: Robert Lamm (keyboards and vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet and flugelhorn), James Pankow (trombone), Walter Parazaider (saxophone and flute), the late Terry Kath (guitar and vocals), Danny Seraphine (drums), and Peter Cetera (bass and vocals) - a name you might recognize for his later, shall we say, "separate ways."
The Revolving Door of Talent (and Mustaches)
But hold on to your platform boots, because this is where things get interesting. Over the years, Chicago has seen more lineup changes than a chameleon sees colors. Band members have come and gone like the seasons (although, let's be honest, Chicago weather can be pretty confusing too). Cetera left in the 80s to pursue a solo career (and possibly find a place where shoulder pads were more appreciated). Sadly, Terry Kath passed away tragically in the early 80s.
This is where the plot thickens. Some might say the true "Chicago experience" requires the original crew, but the band has soldiered on, bringing in new talent to keep the smooth jazz flowing. As of today, there are only four original members left: Lamm, Loughnane, Pankow, and Parazaider (though Parazaider retired from touring in 2017).
So, How Many Chicagos Are There, Really?
Here's the truth, folks: it depends on how you define "original." Are you a purist who demands all seven members from 1967? Then you might be disappointed. Do you appreciate the band's evolution and embrace the new blood? Then there's still plenty of Chicago goodness to enjoy.
Ultimately, the music is what matters. Whether it's the horn-heavy anthems of their early days or the softer sounds of later albums, Chicago's music has brought joy to millions. So crank up "25 or 6 to 4" (because apparently even song titles in Chicago can be confusing), grab a deep dish (don't forget the extra cheese!), and enjoy the music, regardless of how many original members are on stage.