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Lifetime AchievementsConsidered one of the longest running and most successful pop/rock ‘n’ roll groups in history, Chicago is the highest charting American band in Billboard Magazine’s list of Top 100 artists of all time, coming in at #13.Lifetime achievements include a Grammy Award, multiple American Music Awards, elected as Founding Artists to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Chicago street dedicated in their honor, and Keys to and Proclamations from an impressive list of US cities.Formed in 1967 in Chicago, the “legendary rock band with horns” released their first album “Chicago Transit Authority” in 1969. Since then, they have had record sales top the 100,000,000 mark, and include 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles and 5 Gold singles. An incredible 25 of their 36 albums have been certified platinum, and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards.In 2014, their debut album “The Chicago Transit Authority” was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. This was followed by announcement of their 2014 summer tour with REO Speedwagon, a televised performance on the 2014 Grammy Awards CBS broadcast, and the release of “NOW” Chicago XXXVI in July 2014.
Robert Lamm - Founding MemberKeyboard/VocalsRobert wrote many of the band’s biggest hits, including “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “Beginnings,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Dialogue” & “25 or 6 to 4.” His vocal and keyboard performances are instantly recognizable – a huge part of Chicago’s “signature” sound.
Lee Loughnane - Founding MemberTrumpet/VocalsIn addition to playing trumpet, Lee’s songwriting contributions for Chicago have included the hit singles “Call on Me” from Chicago VII and “No Tell Lover” from Hot Streets, as well as album cuts such as “Together Again” on Chicago X and “This Time” on Chicago XI.
James Pankow - Founding MemberTrombone/VocalsTrombonist James Pankow has composed many songs for Chicago, including thehits “Make Me Smile” and “Colour My World” (both from his suite Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon), “Just You ‘N’ Me,” “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long,” “Old Days,” “Alive Again,” and is responsible for most of Chicago’s horn arrangements.
Walter Parazaider - Founding MemberWoodwindsWalt’s primary musical role in the band has consisted of playing saxophone, flute, and woodwinds. His compositional contributions include (“It Better End Soon: 2nd Movement”, “Free Country”, “Aire”, “Devil’s Sweet”, “Window Dreamin’”). Parazaider’s highly recognizable flute solo in the Chicago hit “Colour My World” is a Chicago classic. In 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by DePaul University.
Jason ScheffBass/VocalsAt age 23, Jason joined Chicago in mid-1985 when Peter Cetera left to pursue a solo career. His ability to closely duplicate Cetera’s vocal parts, and play bass guitar, allowed the band to continue its touring/recording efforts without a hitch; he debuted on lead vocals on their 1986 hit single “Will You Still Love Me?” Besides performing the band’s classic material, Scheff has composed several original songs for the band, including their 1989 Top 10 single “What Kind Of Man Would I Be?.” He is the oldest son of well-known session bassist Jerry Scheff, who toured for several years with Elvis Presley.
Tris ImbodenDrumsPrior to joining Chicago in 1990, as well as during his tenure as the band’s drummer, Tris has had a successful career as a studio session player. Among his works have been sessions for Neil Diamond, Kenny Loggins, Firefall, Richard Marx, Steve Vai, Roger Daltrey and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He has also toured as a drummer with Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Firefall, Cock Robin and others. Imboden was one of the founding members of the band Honk in 1970.
Robert Lamm - Founding MemberKeyboard/VocalsRobert wrote many of the band’s biggest hits, including “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “Beginnings,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Dialogue” & “25 or 6 to 4.” His vocal and keyboard performances are instantly recognizable – a huge part of Chicago’s “signature” sound.Lee Loughnane - Founding MemberTrumpet/VocalsIn addition to playing trumpet, Lee’s songwriting contributions for Chicago have included the hit singles “Call on Me” from Chicago VII and “No Tell Lover” from Hot Streets, as well as album cuts such as “Together Again” on Chicago X and “This Time” on Chicago XI.James Pankow - Founding MemberTrombone/VocalsTrombonist James Pankow has composed many songs for Chicago, including thehits “Make Me Smile” and “Colour My World” (both from his suite Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon), “Just You ‘N’ Me,” “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long,” “Old Days,” “Alive Again,” and is responsible for most of Chicago’s horn arrangements.Walter Parazaider - Founding MemberWoodwindsWalt’s primary musical role in the band has consisted of playing saxophone, flute, and woodwinds. His compositional contributions include (“It Better End Soon: 2nd Movement”, “Free Country”, “Aire”, “Devil’s Sweet”, “Window Dreamin’”). Parazaider’s highly recognizable flute solo in the Chicago hit “Colour My World” is a Chicago classic. In 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by DePaul University.Jason ScheffBass/VocalsAt age 23, Jason joined Chicago in mid-1985 when Peter Cetera left to pursue a solo career. His ability to closely duplicate Cetera’s vocal parts, and play bass guitar, allowed the band to continue its touring/recording efforts without a hitch; he debuted on lead vocals on their 1986 hit single “Will You Still Love Me?” Besides performing the band’s classic material, Scheff has composed several original songs for the band, including their 1989 Top 10 single “What Kind Of Man Would I Be?.” He is the oldest son of well-known session bassist Jerry Scheff, who toured for several years with Elvis Presley.Tris ImbodenDrumsPrior to joining Chicago in 1990, as well as during his tenure as the band’s drummer, Tris has had a successful career as a studio session player. Among his works have been sessions for Neil Diamond, Kenny Loggins, Firefall, Richard Marx, Steve Vai, Roger Daltrey and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He has also toured as a drummer with Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Firefall, Cock Robin and others. Imboden was one of the founding members of the band Honk in 1970.