Very few bands the last 50-60 years can provide such a back-catalog of great hits as well-known and popular all over the world as Chicago. The band was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm by its recent audience at The Lyric Baltimore.

Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 and started way back in 1967. Fifty-seven years later on their current tour, they are still going strong and sounding better than ever, as heard on their show at The Lyric on Nov. 3.

The band started the show with a great introduction of only musical instruments, and a little opening comment before launching into a fan favorite, a song called “Call on Me” from 1974. After this song, the band played one of my favorites, and arguably one of their best-known songs “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long” — a song of beautifully written words and musical arrangements.

Continuing on, Chicago played a great version of “Mongonucleosis,” a highly upbeat piece that demonstrates the band’s ability to play so many instruments in one song to amazing sound and effect. There are very few bands that feature such dynamic instrumentation blended with vocals and lyrics that form the nucleus of their classic rock and roll set like Chicago — a band that has been highly unique and highly talented over the decades always bringing in outstanding new musicians into the mix.

In my opinion, one of their best hits from the ’70s was played next — “If You Leave Me Now,” which was fantastic in presentation at the show and received a huge applause from the audience. The song had been written and sung by one of the original vocalists of the band, Peter Cetera, who had always been a huge fan favorite, but who left the band in 1985 to continue with his solo career. Cetera left the band during a highly successful era of the band — an era that saw the release of albums Chicago 17 and Chicago 18. The band finished the first set with another fantastic song and instrumental from the 1970s “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon.”

Stream “If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago on YouTube:

After the intermission, the band launched in a final set of of great classics, such as “Alive Again,” “Old Days,” “Hard Habit to Break,” “You’re the Inspiration,” “I’m a Man” (featuring some of the best sounds from the 70s in my opinion), “Just You and Me” (slowing it down), “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Get Away,” “Saturday in the Park,” and “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.” It was a monumental set of Chicago classics highlighted by songs from the early days and then some of the finest love songs that helped define music in the 1980s.

Upon conclusion of the second set, the band took the customary exit to get ready for the encore.

After a couple of minutes off stage, Chicago arrived back on stage for the encore. James Pankow, the trombone player, told the crowd “what a journey” it had been for some “very frightened young men” who thought the early band could mean they “get one or two albums out of this” career they have all enjoyed. However, he advised it “just keeps getting better and better” and that they would continue to tour as long as the fans kept enjoying the music. He was appreciative of the audience’s commitment and knowledge of the music with a lot of persons at the show having grown up with the incredible music the band has made the last 57 years.

Chicago finished the show with an encore of Free, and the eternal classic “25 or 6 to 4.” It was a brilliant evening, and show of music and a show that provided some in attendance the opportunity to experience some of these classic Chicago songs live, possibly for the first time.

Chicago’s current lineup for the Chicago 57th Tour is:

Robert Lamm, Keyboard
Lee Loughnane, Trumpet
James Pankow, Trombone
Ray Hermann, Saxophone
Walfredo Reyes Jr., Drums
Neil Donell, Vocals
Ramon Ray Yslas, Percussion
Tony Obrohta, Guitar
Loren Gold, Keyboard
Eric Baines, Bass

Catch Chicago on tour!

Here are some photos of Chicago performing at The Lyric Balitmore on Nov. 3, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.