Chicago ( band ) - wikipedia Chicago ( band ) `` The Chicago Transit Authority '' redirects here. For the mass transit operator in Chicago, see Chicago Transit Authority. For the band 's debut album, see Chicago Transit Authority ( album ). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( February 2008 ) Chicago Chicago in 2004 ( l -- r ) : Howland, Pankow, Champlin, Parazaider, Imboden, Loughnane, Scheff and Lamm ( behind Scheff ) Background information Also known as The Big Thing, The Chicago Transit Authority Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States Genres Soft rock jazz rock progressive rock Years active 1967 -- present Labels Columbia Warner Bros. Full Moon Rhino Reprise Chicago Records / Chicago Records II Frontier Records Associated acts The Beach Boys The Doobie Brothers Earth, Wind & Fire Sons of Champlin Website Official website Members Robert Lamm Lee Loughnane James Pankow Walter Parazaider Tris Imboden Keith Howland Lou Pardini Ray Herrmann Walfredo Reyes Jr. Jeff Coffey Past members Danny Seraphine Peter Cetera Terry Kath Laudir de Oliveira Donnie Dacus Chris Pinnick Bill Champlin Jason Scheff Dawayne Bailey Drew Hester Daniel de los Reyes Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self - described `` rock and roll band with horns '' began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, generating several hit ballads. The group had a steady stream of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Since at least 2008, Billboard has shown Chicago to be the `` greatest of all time '' American band in singles chart success, and since 2015, the `` greatest of all time '' American band in album chart success as well. Chicago is one of the longest - running and most successful rock groups, and one of the world 's best - selling groups of all time, having sold more than 100 million records. In 1971, Chicago was the first rock act to sell out Carnegie Hall for a week. According to Billboard, Chicago was the leading singles charting group in the United States during the 1970s. They have sold over 40 million units in the U.S., with 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. They have had five consecutive number - one albums on the Billboard 200 and 19 top - ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2017, original band members Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm, and James Pankow were elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their songwriting efforts as members of the music group. Contents 1 Group history 1.1 Chicago Transit Authority and early success 1.2 The 1970s : Chicago 1.2. 1 Death of Terry Kath and transition 1.3 The 1980s : changing sound 1.3. 1 Peter Cetera 's departure 1.4 The 1990s : more changes and Stone of Sisyphus 1.5 The 2000s 1.6 2010 to present 2 Graphics 3 Personnel 3.1 Lineups 4 Timeline 5 Discography 5.1 Studio albums 5.2 Live albums 6 Awards and honors 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Group history Chicago Transit Authority and early success The original band membership consisted of saxophonist Walter Parazaider, guitarist Terry Kath, drummer Danny Seraphine, trombonist James Pankow, trumpet player Lee Loughnane, and keyboardist / singer Robert Lamm. Parazaider, Kath, Seraphine, Pankow and Loughnane met in 1967 while students at DePaul University. Lamm was recruited from Roosevelt University. The group of six called themselves `` The Big Thing '', and played top 40 hits. Realizing the need for both a tenor to complement baritone s Lamm and Kath, and a bass player because Lamm 's use of organ bass pedals did not provide `` adequate bass sound '', they added local tenor and bassist Peter Cetera. While gaining some success as a cover band, the group began working on original songs. In June 1968, at manager James William Guercio 's request, The Big Thing moved to Los Angeles, California, and signed with Columbia Records. The band changed its name to `` Chicago Transit Authority ''. It was while performing on a regular basis at the Whisky a Go Go nightclub in West Hollywood that the band got exposure to more famous musical artists of the time. Subsequently, they were the opening act for Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. As related to group biographer, William James Ruhlmann, by Walt Parazaider, Jimi Hendrix once told Parazaider, `` ' Jeez, your horn players are like one set of lungs and your guitar player is better than me. ' '' Their first record ( April 1969 ), the eponymous Chicago Transit Authority, is a double album, which is rare for a band 's first release. The album made it to number 17 on the Billboard 200 album chart, sold over one million copies by 1970, and was awarded a platinum disc. The album included a number of pop - rock songs -- `` Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is ? '', `` Beginnings '', `` Questions 67 and 68 '', and `` I 'm a Man '' -- which were later released as singles. For this inaugural recording effort the group was nominated for a Grammy Award for 1969 Best New Artist of the Year. After the release of their first album, the band 's name was shortened to Chicago to avoid legal action being threatened by the actual mass - transit company of the same name. The 1970s : Chicago The band released a second album, titled Chicago ( retroactively known as Chicago II ), which is another double - LP. The album 's centerpiece track is a seven - part, 13 - minute suite composed by Pankow called `` Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon ''. The suite yielded two top ten hits : `` Make Me Smile '' ( No. 9 U.S. ) and `` Colour My World '', both sung by Kath. Among the other tracks on the album : Lamm 's dynamic but cryptic `` 25 or 6 to 4 '' ( Chicago 's first Top 5 hit ), which is a reference to a songwriter trying to write at 25 or 26 minutes before 4 o'clock in the morning, and was sung by Cetera with Terry Kath on guitar ; the lengthy war - protest song `` It Better End Soon '' ; and, at the end, Cetera 's 1969 moon landing - inspired `` Where Do We Go from Here ? '' The double - LP album 's inner cover includes the playlist, the entire lyrics to `` It Better End Soon '', and two declarations : `` This endeavor should be experienced sequentially '', and, `` With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures and our energies to the people of the revolution. And the revolution in all of its forms. '' The album was a commercial success, rising to number four on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) in 1970, and platinum in 1991. The band was nominated for two Grammy Awards as a result of this album, Album of the Year, and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. Chicago III, another double LP, was released in 1971 and charted at number two on the Billboard 200. Two singles were released from it : `` Free '' from Lamm 's `` Travel Suite '', which charted at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 ; and `` Lowdown '', written by Cetera and Seraphine, which made it to number 40. The album was certified gold by the RIAA in February, 1971, and platinum in November, 1986. The band released LPs at a rate of at least one album per year from their third album in 1971 on through the 1970s. During this period, the group 's album titles primarily consisted of the band 's name followed by a Roman numeral, indicating the album 's sequence in their canon. The exceptions to this scheme were the band 's fourth album, a live boxed set entitled Chicago at Carnegie Hall, their twelfth album Hot Streets, and the Arabic - numbered Chicago 13. While the live album itself did not bear a number, the four discs within the set were numbered Volumes I through IV. In 1971, the band released Chicago at Carnegie Hall Volumes I, II, III, and IV, a quadruple LP, consisting of live performances, mostly of music from their first three albums, from a week - long run at Carnegie Hall. Chicago was the first rock act to sell out a week at Carnegie Hall and the live recording was made to chronicle that milestone. Along with the four vinyl discs, the packaging contained some strident political messaging about how `` We ( youth ) can change The System '', including wall posters and voter registration information. The album went gold `` out of the box '' and on to multi-platinum status. William James Ruhlmann says Chicago at Carnegie Hall was `` perhaps '' the best - selling box set by a rock act and held that record for 15 years. Drummer Danny Seraphine attributes the fact that none of Chicago 's first four albums were issued on single LPs to the productive creativity of this period and the length of the jazz - rock pieces. In 1972 the band released its first single - disc release, Chicago V, which reached number one on both the Billboard pop and jazz album charts. It features `` Saturday in the Park '', written by Robert Lamm, which mixes everyday life and political yearning in a more subtle way. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1972. The second single released from the album was the Lamm - composed `` Dialogue ( Part I & II ) '', which featured a musical `` debate '' between a political activist ( sung by Kath ) and a blasé college student ( sung by Cetera ). It peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1973, Guercio produced and directed Electra Glide in Blue, a film about an Arizona motorcycle policeman. The film stars Robert Blake and features Cetera, Kath, Loughnane, and Parazaider in supporting roles. The group also appears prominently on the film 's soundtrack. Other albums and singles followed in each of the succeeding years. 1973 's Chicago VI was the first of several albums to include Brazilian jazz percussionist Laudir de Oliveira and saw Cetera emerge as the main lead singer. According to William James Ruhlmann, de Oliveira was a `` sideman '' on Chicago VI, and became an official member of the group in 1974. Chicago VI featured two top ten singles, `` Just You ' n ' Me '', written by Pankow, and `` Feelin ' Stronger Every Day '', written by Pankow and Cetera. Chicago VII was the band 's double - disc 1974 release. Three singles were released from this album : `` ( I 've Been ) Searchin ' So Long '', written by Pankow, and `` Call On Me '', written by Loughnane, which both made it into the top ten ; and the Beach Boys - infused `` Wishing You Were Here '', written by Cetera, which peaked at number eleven. Their 1975 release, Chicago VIII, featured the political allegory `` Harry Truman '' ( No. 13, Billboard Top 100 chart ) and the nostalgic Pankow - composed `` Old Days '' ( No. 5, Billboard Top 100 chart ). That summer also saw a joint tour across America with the Beach Boys, with the two acts performing separately, then coming together for a finale. Chicago VI, VII and VIII all made it to number one on the Billboard 200, all were certified gold the years they were released, and all have since been certified platinum. Chicago VI was certified two times multi-platinum in 1986. Chicago IX : Chicago 's Greatest Hits was released in 1975 and became the band 's fifth consecutive number - one album on the Billboard 200. 1976 's Chicago X features Cetera 's ballad `` If You Leave Me Now '', which held the top spot in the U.S. charts for two weeks and the UK charts for three weeks. It was the group 's first number one single, and won Chicago their only Grammy Award to date, the 1976 Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 19, 1977. The single was certified gold by the RIAA the same year of its release. The song almost did not make the cut for the album. `` If You Leave Me Now '' was recorded at the very last minute. The success of the song, according to William James Ruhlmann, foreshadowed a later reliance on ballads. The album was commercially successful. It reached number three on the Billboard 200, was certified both gold and platinum by the RIAA the same year of its release and two times multi-platinum since, and was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. At the 4th Annual American Music Awards, a fan - voted awards show, held January 31, 1977, Chicago won the award for Favorite Pop / Rock Band / Duo / Group, the group 's first of two American Music Awards they have received. The group 's 1977 release, Chicago XI, includes Cetera 's ballad `` Baby, What a Big Surprise '', a No. 4 U.S. hit which became the group 's last top 10 hit of the decade. Chicago XI performed well commercially, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200, and reaching platinum status during the year of its release. Death of Terry Kath and transition The year 1978 began with a split with Guercio. Then on January 23 of that same year, Kath died of an accidental, self - inflicted gunshot wound from a gun he thought was unloaded. Doc Severinson, who was the bandleader for The Tonight Show at the time and a friend of the group, visited them after Kath 's funeral and encouraged them to continue. According to writer Jim Jerome, the visit `` snapped them back '' and helped them make the decision to carry on. After auditioning over 30 potential replacements for Kath, Chicago decided upon guitarist and singer - songwriter Donnie Dacus. While filming for the musical Hair, he joined the band in April 1978 just in time for the Hot Streets album. Its energetic lead - off single, `` Alive Again '', brought Chicago back to the Top 15 ; Pankow wrote it `` originally as a love song but ultimately as recognition of Kath 's guiding spirit shining down from above. '' The 1978 album Hot Streets was produced by Phil Ramone. It was Chicago 's first album with a title rather than a number ; and was the band 's first LP to have a picture of the band ( shot by photographer Norman Seeff ) featured prominently on the cover ( with the ubiquitous logo downsized ). These two moves were seen by many as indications that the band had changed following Kath 's death. To a degree, the band returned to the old naming scheme on its subsequent releases, although most titles would now bear Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals. Hot Streets, the band 's 12th album, peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard charts ; it was Chicago 's first release since their debut to fail to make the Top 10. The release also marked a move somewhat away from the jazz - rock direction favored by Kath and towards more pop songs and ballads. Dacus stayed with the band through the 1979 album Chicago 13, and is also featured in a promotional video on the DVD included in the Rhino Records Chicago box set from 2003. Again produced by Ramone, it was the group 's first studio album not to contain a Top 40 hit. Dacus departed from the band shortly after the album 's release. The 1980s : changing sound Chicago XIV ( 1980 ), produced by Tom Dowd, relegated the horn section to the background on a number of tracks, and the album 's two singles failed to make the Top 40. Chris Pinnick joined the band to play guitar and remained through 1985, and the band were also augmented by saxophone player Marty Grebb on the subsequent tour. The album peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200, and failed to reach gold certification by the RIAA. Believing the band to no longer be commercially viable, Columbia Records dropped them from its roster in 1981 and released a second `` Greatest Hits '' volume ( also known as Chicago XV ) later that year to fulfill its contractual obligation. In late 1981, the band had a new producer ( David Foster ), a new label ( Warner Bros. Records ), and the addition of keyboardist, guitarist, and singer Bill Champlin ( Sons of Champlin ). Percussionist Laudir de Oliveira and Marty Grebb departed from the band. During Foster 's stewardship, less of an emphasis was placed on the band 's horn - based sound, being replaced by lush power ballads, which became Chicago 's style during the 1980s. The new sound brought more singles success to the band. For the 1982 album Chicago 16, the band worked with composers from outside the group for the first time, and Foster brought in studio musicians for some tracks ( including the core members of Toto ), and used new technology ( such as synthesizers ) to `` update '' and streamline the sound, further pushing back the horn section, and in some cases not even using them at all. The band did return to the charts with the Cetera - sung ballad `` Hard to Say I 'm Sorry / Get Away '', which is featured in the soundtrack of the Daryl Hannah film Summer Lovers. Co-written by Cetera and David Foster, `` Hard to Say I 'm Sorry '' was the group 's second single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and brought them a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Chicago 16 reached both gold and platinum status during the year of its release, and went to number nine on the Billboard 200 album chart. 1984 's Chicago 17 became the biggest selling album of the band 's history, certified by the RIAA in 1997 as six times multi-platinum. The album produced two more Top Ten ( both No. 3 ) singles, `` You 're the Inspiration '', written by Cetera and David Foster, and `` Hard Habit to Break '', written by Steve Kipner and John Lewis Parker. The single, `` Hard Habit to Break '', brought two more Grammy Award nominations for the band, for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The album included two other singles : `` Stay the Night '' ( No. 16 ), another composition by Cetera and Foster ; and `` Along Comes a Woman '' ( No. 14 ), written by Cetera and Mark Goldenberg. Peter 's brother, Kenny Cetera, who had provided background vocals on the Chicago 17 album, was brought into the group for the 17 tour to add percussion and high harmony vocals. By 1985, the band was embracing the newest medium, the music video channel MTV, by releasing music videos for four songs. They featured a track titled `` Good for Nothing '' on the 1985 global activist album, We Are the World. As contributors to the album, along with all other artists who were on the album, the band received its last nomination for a Grammy Award, for Album of the Year. At the 13th Annual American Music Awards, held January 27, 1986, Chicago won the award for Favorite Pop / Rock Band / Duo / Group for the second time. It is the last American Music Award the band has received. Peter Cetera 's departure Concurrently with Chicago 's existing career, lead vocalist Peter Cetera had begun a solo career. He proposed an arrangement with the band where they would take hiatuses after tours to let him focus on solo work, but the band declined. Cetera ultimately left Chicago in the summer of 1985. He soon topped the charts with `` Glory of Love '' ( the theme song of the film The Karate Kid Part II ), and with `` The Next Time I Fall '' ( a duet with Amy Grant ). Two more songs reached the Top Ten : a 1988 solo hit called `` One Good Woman '' ( No. 4 U.S. ), and a 1989 duet with Cher called `` After All '' ( No. 6 U.S. ). In 1992, Cetera released his fourth studio album, World Falling Down, which earned him three hits on the Adult Contemporary charts, including the single `` Restless Heart ''. Cetera 's former position was filled by bassist and singer - songwriter Jason Scheff, son of Elvis Presley 's bassist Jerry Scheff. Guitarist Chris Pinnick also left the group prior to the recording of the band 's next album. For the final Foster - produced album, Chicago 18, the band filled Pinnick 's spot with several session guitarists, none of whom became band members. The album was released on September 29, 1986, and included the No. 3 single `` Will You Still Love Me ? '', and Top 20 Pop song `` If She Would Have Been Faithful... '', in addition to an updated version of `` 25 or 6 to 4 '' with a video that got airplay on MTV. Soon after the album was recorded, the band hired guitarist Dawayne Bailey, who was fresh off a stint recording and performing in Bob Seger 's Silver Bullet Band. Bailey and Scheff had previously played in bands together, so Scheff introduced Bailey to the band in time for the Chicago 18 tour. For the 1988 release, Chicago 19, the band had replaced producer Foster with co-producers Ron Nevison, who had recently produced an album for Heart, and Chas Sanford, who had worked with Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks. They topped the charts again with the Diane Warren - composed single `` Look Away ''. It was the third and last Chicago single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song ultimately was named as the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Song of the Year for 1989. The album also yielded two more Top 10 hits, `` I Do n't Wanna Live Without Your Love '' and `` You 're Not Alone '', both with Champlin singing solo lead for the first time, and the Scheff - sung number 55 single, `` We Can Last Forever, '' in addition to including the original version of a Top 5 single titled `` What Kind Of Man Would I Be ? ''. The latter, also sung by Scheff, was remixed for inclusion on the band 's forthcoming greatest hits record ( and twentieth album ), Greatest Hits 1982 -- 1989, and it was this version that became a hit. The 1990s : more changes and Stone of Sisyphus Main article : Chicago XXXII : Stone of Sisyphus The beginning of the 1990s brought yet another departure. Original drummer Danny Seraphine left Chicago in May 1990. Seraphine was succeeded by Tris Imboden, a longtime drummer with Kenny Loggins and former session drummer with Peter Cetera. Imboden made his first appearance on the 1991 album Twenty 1 with a fragment of band 's logo, which yielded an eleven - week stretch on Billboard, a peak at No. 66, and the song `` Chasin ' the Wind '' which peaked at No. 39. Twenty 1 would be their last released album of original music for fifteen years. The band was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 23, 1992. In 1993, Chicago wrote and recorded their 22nd album Stone of Sisyphus. This album was to have marked their return to their traditional composition of the 1970s, emphasizing major horn accompaniment. However, following a reorganization of the record company, the new executives at Reprise Records ( now part of the newly formed Warner Music Group ) rejected the completed album. It remained unpublished for fifteen years, aside from bootleg tapes and Internet files. This contributed to the parting of the band from the record label. The band was dismayed by the failure of the label. Upset with the shelving of the album, Dawayne Bailey left the group in late 1994, leading to many years of debates and conjecture about the events surrounding the recordings. It was also suggested some years later that the band 's management was negotiating with the label regarding a licensing of the extensive Chicago back catalog, and when those talks stalled, the label apparently retaliated by scrapping the project. The album eventually saw an expanded release on Rhino Records in June 2008 to favorable reviews from both fans and critics and made it to No. 122 on the album charts. After finishing their 1994 tour, and after signing with the Warner Bros. Records ' imprint label Giant Records, they released their 1995 album Night & Day : Big Band, consisting of covers of songs originally recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington. Session guitarist Bruce Gaitsch handled the guitar work and the album featured guest appearances by Paul Shaffer of David Letterman fame, and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. In early 1995 Keith Howland, who had been a studio musician and stage hand based in Los Angeles, was recruited as Chicago 's new permanent guitarist. In 1998, Chicago released Chicago XXV : The Christmas Album and a live album in 1999, Chicago XXVI. The 2000s In 2000, the band licensed their entire recorded output to Rhino Records, after having recorded it at Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records. In 2002, Rhino released a two - disc compilation, The Very Best of Chicago : Only The Beginning, which spanned the band 's career. The compilation made the Top 40 and sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. Rhino also began releasing remastered versions of all of the band 's Columbia - era albums. On March 21, 2006, their first all - new studio album since Twenty 1 arrived with Chicago XXX. It was produced by Jay DeMarcus, bassist / vocalist with the country trio Rascal Flatts, who was a long - time fan of Chicago and had cited the group as an influence on him as a musician in a previous fan letter to Jason Scheff. It also marked the first time the band 's music was available as a digital download. The album peaked at No. 41 in the U.S., spawning two minor adult contemporary hits : `` Feel '' and `` Love Will Come Back ''. Two songs from this album, `` Feel '' and `` Caroline '', were performed live during Chicago 's fall 2005 tour. Chicago made multi-week appearances at the MGM Grand Las Vegas in March, May and October 2006. In July 2006, the band made a series of U.S. appearances with Huey Lewis and the News. On October 2, 2007, Rhino Records released the two - disc The Best of Chicago : 40th Anniversary Edition ( Chicago XXXI ), a new greatest hits compilation spanning their entire forty years, similar to The Very Best of : Only the Beginning, released four years earlier. In 2008, Stone of Sisyphus -- once known as the aborted Chicago XXII, now listed officially as Chicago XXXII -- was released with an expanded format. In 2009, Chicago again toured with Earth, Wind & Fire. Drew Hester, who was the percussionist and drummer for the Foo Fighters, joined the band in January 2009 to temporarily fill in for an ill Imboden, and continued with the band as a percussionist upon Imboden 's return later in the year. In August 2009, Champlin was fired from the band. He was replaced by Grammy - nominated keyboardist Lou Pardini, who had worked with Stevie Wonder and Santana. 2010 to present In 2010 Chicago toured with the Doobie Brothers. A 2011 performance in Chicago became a video for the HDNet cable channel that featured the Doobie Brothers joining Chicago for three encore tunes. The band also appeared on the season nine finale of American Idol. On July 24, 2011, the band performed at Red Rocks in Colorado, accompanied by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. With Chicago XXXIII : O Christmas Three, the band re-teamed with producer Ramone ( he had previously released the new tracks for the expanded Christmas re-release What 's It Gonna Be, Santa ? ) to record a new Christmas album. Dolly Parton was a guest artist on the album, which was released in October 2011. In the meantime, Rhino released Chicago XXXIV : Live in ' 75, a two - disc set containing two hours of previously unreleased performances recorded June 24 -- 26, 1975 at the Capital Centre in Largo, Maryland, featuring the original members of Chicago performing some of their greatest hits up to that point. In 2012, Chicago and the Doobie Brothers held another joint tour. That same year, Hester left the group shortly before the tour, and was succeeded, first by percussionist Daniel de los Reyes, then by Daniel 's brother and former long - term Santana member, Walfredo Reyes Jr. In 2013 Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, and Walter Parazaider appeared in the HBO movie Clear History as the band Chicago. In late 2013, the band began releasing singles for a new album, starting with `` Somethin ' Comin ', I Know '' in August, `` America '' in September, `` Crazy Happy '' in December 2013, and `` Naked in the Garden of Allah '' in January 2014. The album, titled Chicago XXXVI : Now, was released on July 4, 2014. In 2015, Chicago was listed among the nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The original lineup was inducted at the 31st annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 8, 2016 along with N.W.A., Deep Purple, Steve Miller, and Cheap Trick. In February 2016, it was announced that original drummer Danny Seraphine would join the current lineup of Chicago for the first time in over 25 years for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Peter Cetera chose not to attend. Terry Kath 's daughter Michelle accepted her father 's award. In July 2016, Chicago performed on ABC 's Greatest Hits. After taking a temporary leave in May 2016, citing `` family health reasons '', it was announced on October 25, 2016 that Jason Scheff had left Chicago. Jeff Coffey, who had been filling in for Scheff during his absence, was promoted to a full - time member. Touring saxophonist Ray Herrmann also became an official member at that time. In January 2017, CNN Films aired a 2 - hour biographical documentary film on the group titled Now More Than Ever : The History of Chicago. The film was directed and edited by Peter Pardini, nephew of band member Lou Pardini, and produced by the band, Chicago. The film was the highest rated program in its premiere in the 25 - 54 demographic and has an 8.4 rating on IMDB. The film won the 2016 `` Best of the Fest '' Audience Choice Award at the Sedona International Film Festival. At the 10th Annual Fort Myers Beach Film Festival in 2016, it won the `` People 's Choice '' award and Peter Pardini won the `` Rising Star Award '' as director and filmmaker. On February 22, 2017 it was announced that Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm, and James Pankow are among the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees for their songwriting efforts as members of the music group, Chicago. The induction event was held Thursday, June 15 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Former percussionist Laudir de Oliveira died of a heart attack while performing onstage in his native Rio de Janeiro. Graphics Upon being renamed from Chicago Transit Authority to Chicago, the band sported a new logo. Its inspiration was found in the design of the Coca - Cola logo, in the attitude of the city of Chicago itself, and in the desire to visually transcend the individual identities of the band 's members. It was designed by the Art Director of Columbia / CBS Records, John Berg, with each album 's graphic art work being done by Nick Fasciano. Berg said, `` The Chicago logo... was fashioned for me by Nick Fasciano from my sketch. '' The logo would serve as the band 's chief visual icon from Chicago II, onward. In various artistic forms and visual similes, it has been the subject of every subsequent album cover, except the fifteenth album, Greatest Hits, Volume II. For example, it appeared as an American flag on III, a piece of wood on V, a U.S. dollar bill on VI, a leather relief on VII, an embroidered patch on VIII, a chocolate bar on X, a newspaper article on XI, a building on 13, a fingerprint on XIV, a computer silicon chip on 16, a parcel on 17, a mosaic on 18, and an aquarelle on 19. Chicago IX 's incarnation was a caricature of the band itself, in the shape of the logo. The album cover series has endured as a cataloged work of art in its own right, described by Paul Nini of the American Institute of Graphic Arts as a `` real landmark in record cover design ''. In 2013, the iconic status of Chicago 's album art was featured in a New York art museum exhibit, which centered upon ninety - five album covers completely selected from John Berg 's career portfolio of hundreds. Having overseen the design of approximately fourteen Chicago album covers across more than twenty years, Berg stated that this artistic success resulted from the combination of Chicago 's `` unique situation '' and his position in `` the best possible job at the best possible time to have that job, at the center of the graphic universe ''. Berg won the 1976 Grammy Award for Best Album Package for Chicago X, one of four Grammy Awards he won in his lifetime. The book titled Type and Image : The Language of Graphic Design described the logo as `` a warm vernacular form, executed in thick script letters with Victorian swashes in the tradition of sports teams and orange crate labels. '' The book mentions the cultural and material background of the city of Chicago as inspiration for the logo ; for example, describing the leather embossing of Chicago VII as representative of the great fire and the stockades. The author connects the album art to the atmosphere of the band 's namesake city, quoting the band 's original manager, James William Guercio : `` 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. '' Personnel The four original remaining members of Chicago are Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Walter Parazaider. During the summer of 2017 published reports stated Parazaider had retired from touring but is still a member. Unnamed sources date his retirement to October 2016. Lineups 1967 -- 1974 1974 -- 1978 1978 -- 1980 1980 -- 1981 Peter Cetera -- bass, vocals Terry Kath -- guitar, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Peter Cetera -- bass, vocals Terry Kath -- guitar, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Laudir de Oliveira -- percussion Peter Cetera -- bass, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Laudir de Oliveira -- percussion Donnie Dacus -- guitar, vocals Peter Cetera -- bass, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Laudir de Oliveira -- percussion Chris Pinnick -- guitar Touring musicians Marty Grebb -- saxophone, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals ( 1980 -- 1981 ) 1981 -- 1985 1985 -- 1986 1986 -- 1990 1990 -- 1995 Peter Cetera -- bass, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Chris Pinnick -- guitar Bill Champlin -- keyboards, vocals Touring musicians Kenny Cetera -- percussion, backing vocals ( 1984 -- 1985 ) Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Bill Champlin -- keyboards, vocals Dawayne Bailey -- guitar, vocals Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Danny Seraphine -- drums Bill Champlin -- keyboards, vocals Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Dawayne Bailey -- guitar, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Bill Champlin -- keyboards, vocals Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Dawayne Bailey -- guitar, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Touring musicians Steve Jankowski -- trumpet ( sub for Lee 1992 ) Lee Thornburg -- trumpet ( sub for Lee 1992 ) 1995 1995 -- 2009 2009 2009 -- 2012 Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Bill Champlin -- keyboards, vocals Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Bill Champlin -- keyboards, vocals Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Touring musicians Nick Lane -- trombone ( sub for James 1999 -- 2009 ) Lou Pardini -- guitar, vocals ( sub for Bill for a few shows 1999, 2007 ) Larry Klimas -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2003 -- 2009 ) Ray Herrmann -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2005 -- 2009 ) Tom Timko -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2005 ) Steve Jankowski -- trumpet ( sub for Lee 2006, 2007 ) Lee Thornburg -- trumpet ( sub for Lee 2008, 2009 ) Drew Hester -- drums ( sub for Tris 2009 ) Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Lou Pardini -- keyboards, vocals Touring musicians Nick Lane -- trombone ( sub for James 2009 ) Larry Klimas -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2009 ) Ray Herrmann -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2009 ) Drew Hester -- drums ( sub for Tris 2009 ) Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Lou Pardini -- keyboards, vocals Touring musicians Nick Lane -- trombone ( sub for James 2009 -- 2012 ) Larry Klimas -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2009 -- 2012 ) Ray Herrmann -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2009 -- 2012 ) Drew Hester -- percussion ( 2010 -- 2012 ) Art Velasco -- trombone ( sub for James 2011 ) 2012 2012 -- 2016 2016 -- present Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Lou Pardini -- keyboards, vocals Daniel de los Reyes -- percussion Touring personnel Nick Lane -- trombone ( sub for James 2012 ) Larry Klimas -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2012 ) Ray Herrmann -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2012 ) Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Walter Parazaider -- saxophones, flute Jason Scheff -- bass, vocals Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Lou Pardini -- keyboards, vocals Walfredo Reyes Jr. -- percussion Touring musicians Nick Lane -- trombone ( sub for James 2012 - 2016 ) Larry Klimas -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2012 ) Ray Herrmann -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Walt 2012 -- 2016 ) Lee Thornburg -- trumpet ( sub for Lee 2012 ) Jeff Coffey - bass, vocals ( sub for Jason 2016 ) Robert Lamm -- keyboards, vocals Lee Loughnane -- trumpet James Pankow -- trombone Tris Imboden -- drums Keith Howland -- guitar, vocals Lou Pardini -- keyboards, vocals Walfredo Reyes Jr. -- percussion Jeff Coffey -- bass, vocals Ray Herrmann -- saxophones, flute Touring musicians Nick Lane -- trombone ( sub for James 2016 ) Larry Klimas -- saxophones, flute ( sub for Ray 2016 ) Timeline Discography Main article : Chicago discography Studio albums Chicago Transit Authority ( 1969 ) Chicago ( 1970 ) Chicago III ( 1971 ) Chicago V ( 1972 ) Chicago VI ( 1973 ) Chicago VII ( 1974 ) Chicago VIII ( 1975 ) Chicago X ( 1976 ) Chicago XI ( 1977 ) Hot Streets ( 1978 ) Chicago 13 ( 1979 ) Chicago XIV ( 1980 ) Chicago 16 ( 1982 ) Chicago 17 ( 1984 ) Chicago 18 ( 1986 ) Chicago 19 ( 1988 ) Twenty 1 ( 1991 ) Night & Day Big Band ( 1995 ) Chicago XXV : The Christmas Album ( 1998 ) Chicago XXX ( 2006 ) Chicago XXXII : Stone of Sisyphus ( 2008 ) Chicago XXXIII : O Christmas Three ( 2011 ) Chicago XXXV : The Nashville Sessions ( 2013 ) Chicago XXXVI : Now ( 2014 ) Live albums Chicago at Carnegie Hall ( a.k.a. Chicago IV ; 4 - volume set ) ( 1971 ) Live in Japan ( 1972 ) Chicago Transit Authority Live in Toronto ( 1978 ) Chicago XXVI : Live in Concert ( 1999 ) Chicago XXXIV : Live in ' 75 ( 2011 ) Chicago at Symphony Hall ( 2015 ) Awards and honors American Music Awards Year Category Result Ref. 1977 Favorite Pop / Rock Band / Duo / Group Won 1986 Favorite Pop / Rock Band / Duo / Group Won Grammy Awards Year Category Work Result Ref. 1970 Best New Artist of the Year ( 1969 ) Nominated 1971 Album of the Year Chicago Nominated Contemporary Vocal Group Chicago Nominated Best Album Cover Chicago ( John Berg & Nick Fasciano ) Nominated Best Album Package Chicago VI ( John Berg ) Nominated 1977 Album of the Year Chicago X Nominated Record of the Year `` If You Leave Me Now '' Nominated Best Album Package Chicago X ( John Berg ) Won Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals `` If You Leave Me Now '' ( James William Guercio, Jimmie Haskell ) Won Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus `` If You Leave Me Now '' Won 1980 Best Album Package Chicago 13 ( Tony Lane ) Nominated 1981 Best Album Package Chicago XIV ( John Berg ) Nominated Pop Vocal Group `` Hard To Say I 'm Sorry '' Nominated 1985 Record of the Year `` Hard Habit To Break '' Nominated Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Chicago 17 ( Humberto Gatica ) Won Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal ( s ) `` Hard Habit To Break '' ( David Foster & Jeremy Lubbock ) Won 2014 Grammy Hall of Fame The Chicago Transit Authority Inductee Other honors 1987 : American Video Award, Best Cinematography, `` 25 or 6 to 4 '' ( Bobby Byrne ) 1992 : Hollywood Walk of Fame star for music contributions, located at 6400 Hollywood Boulevard. 2016 : Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction See also Best selling music artists ( worldwide ) References Jump up ^ Kevan, Paul ( September 15, 2008 ). `` Top 100 artists of all time ''. Metro. Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved February 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Legendary ' Chicago ' to Play Opening Day Ford Motor Company presenting July 26 performance on AeroShell Square ''. warbirds-eaa.org. February 26, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists : Page 1 ''. Billboard. October 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Artists : Page 1 ''. Billboard. October 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Ruhlmann, William. Chicago. Biography, AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Chicago to perform April 7 in Amphitheatre ''. The St. Augustine Record. December 10, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Ruhlmann, William James ( 1991 ). Chicago Group Portrait ( Box Set ) ( CD booklet archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. p. 5. Retrieved September 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gold & Platinum -- RIAA, Artist Tallies ''. RIAA. Retrieved February 10, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gold and Platinum -- Top Selling Artists ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Gold and Platinum -- Artist Tallies ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Chicago - Chart history Billboard 200 ''. www.billboard.com. Retrieved July 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Chicago -- Chart history The Hot 100 ''. Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chicago ''. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Songwriters Hall Of Fame Announces 2017 Inductees ''. Archived from the original on February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017. CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown ( link ) ^ Jump up to : `` 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees announced ''. CBS Interactive Inc. February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Ruhlmann, William James ( 1991 ). Chicago Group Portrait ( Box Set ) ( CD booklet archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. p. 1. Retrieved January 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Video on YouTube ^ Jump up to : Seraphine, Danny ( 2011 ). Street Player : My Chicago Story. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 978 - 0 - 470 - 41683 - 9. ^ Jump up to : Ruhlmann, William James ( 1991 ). Chicago Group Portrait ( Box Set ) ( CD booklet archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. p. 3. Retrieved January 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Murrells, Joseph ( 1978 ). The Book of Golden Discs ( 2nd ed. ). London : Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. pp. 255 -- 256. ISBN 0 - 214 - 20512 - 6. ^ Jump up to : `` Grammy Awards : Chicago ''. The Recording Academy. Retrieved September 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Lamm, Robert ( June 15, 2009 ). `` Chicago Comes to Agganis ''. BU Today ( Interview ). Interview with Devon Maloney. Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. : Boston University. Retrieved February 13, 2017. It 's a reference to time. It 's a song about writing the song, and I looked at my watch while I was writing and it was 25 minutes to four in the morning, or maybe 26. Jump up ^ Wright, Jeb. `` CRR Interview -- Chicago 's Lee Loughnane : Feelin ' Stronger Everyday ''. classicrockrevisited.com. Retrieved February 10, 2017. Jump up ^ Ruhlmann, William James ( 1991 ). Chicago Group Portrait ( Box Set ) ( CD booklet archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. p. 4. Retrieved February 10, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Gold & Platinum - RIAA ''. RIAA. Retrieved September 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` the akron ''. The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California, USA. November 6, 1971. p. 6 ( Part 1 ) ( advertisement ). Retrieved September 25, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Mendoza, Henry ( November 9, 1971 ). `` ' Chicago at Carnegie Hall ' Called Superb ''. The San Bernadino County Sun. San Bernadino, California, USA : Gannett. p. A-13. Retrieved September 29, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Seraphine, Danny ( September 22, 2013 ). `` Danny Seraphine on Outsight Radio Hours '' ( audio ) ( Interview ). Interview with Tom Schulte. Archive.org. Event occurs at 12 : 11. Retrieved November 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Billboard Magazine ( USA ) Weekly Single Charts From 1972 ''. Hits of All Decades. Designs with Hope. Retrieved January 30, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 1972 : all charts ''. Weekly Top 40. Eagle Media / JTMichaelson. Retrieved January 30, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Detail view of Movies Page : Electra Glide in Blue ''. afi.com. Retrieved January 16, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Ruhlmann, William James ( 1991 ). Chicago Group Portrait ( Box Set ) ( CD booklet archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. p. 8. Retrieved February 9, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1975 : all charts ''. Weekly Top 40. Eagle Media / JTMichaelson. Retrieved January 30, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Billboard Magazine ( USA ) Weekly Single Charts From 1975 ''. Hits of All Decades. Designs with Hope. Retrieved January 30, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Ruhlmann, William James ( 1991 ). Chicago Group Portrait ( Box Set ) ( CD booklet archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. p. 7. Retrieved January 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Rockwell, John ( June 14, 1975 ). `` Chicago and the Beach Boys, Combined ''. The New York Times. ISSN 0362 - 4331. Retrieved August 23, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Gold & Platinum - RIAA : Search by Artist ''. RIAA. Retrieved July 26, 2017. Jump up ^ `` The Hot 100 -- 1976 Archive Charts Archive ''. Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 50 Official Charts Company for Nov 7, 1976 ''. www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved February 9, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Grammy Winners Database ''. Retrieved January 2, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 19th Annual Grammy Awards ''. Retrieved January 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Gold & Platinum - RIAA : If You Leave Me Now ( single ) ''. RIAA. Retrieved September 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gold & Platinum - RIAA : Chicago X ''. RIAA. Retrieved September 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` About American Music Awards ''. American Music Awards. Retrieved October 2, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` American Music Awards Winners Database ''. Retrieved January 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Terry Kath -- Accidentally Shot Himself ''. Ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved December 18, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Jerome, Jim ( October 16, 1978 ). `` Chicago 's ' Alive Again ' ''. People Weekly. Retrieved February 9, 2017. Jump up ^ The Box ( Media notes ). Chicago. Rhino Records. 2003. Jump up ^ Hot Streets ( album liner notes archived online ) ( Media notes ). New York City, NY : Columbia Records. 1978. Retrieved February 9, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Koshatka, Edgar ( September 21, 1980 ). `` Chicago 's welcome comeback ''. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. p. 8 - I. Retrieved September 25, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. ^ Jump up to : Van Matre, Lynn ( June 13, 1982 ). `` Revitalized Chicago back on road again ''. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois, USA. p. 5 ( Section 6 ). Retrieved September 26, 2017. Jump up ^ `` AFI Catalog of Feature Films : Summer Lovers ''. www.afi.com. American Film Institute. Retrieved September 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gold & Platinum - RIAA by Artists ''. RIAA. Retrieved September 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Trust, Gary ( January 29, 2010 ). `` Ask Billboard : Taking Peaks, '' Nos. 100 - 1 ``. Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Chicago 17 ( vinyl LP liner ). Chicago. Warner Bros. Records Inc. 1984. 9 25060 - 1. ^ Jump up to : Bahr, Jeff ( October 6, 1984 ). `` Chicago hits musical homer ''. The Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. p. 5. Retrieved September 24, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ USA for Africa : We Are the World at AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Duffy, Thom ( March 8, 1987 ). `` Scheff 's Chicago Habit Is Still Hard To Break ''. tribunedigital - orlandosentinel. Retrieved August 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chicago 18 ''. www.chicagotheband.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Bishop, Pete ( October 22, 1986 ). `` Chicago brings out old talents, new hits, but fewer fans ''. The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. p. C8. Retrieved September 25, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Heckman, Don ( November 27, 1986 ). `` Chicago Resounds with More Voice, Less Horn ''. The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California, USA. p. VI - 8. Retrieved September 25, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Graff, Gary ( September 5, 1987 ). `` Chicago is faithful to its past and ready to move on ''. The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. KNT News Wire. pp. A52, A56. Retrieved September 25, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Kiss, Tony ( September 4, 1988 ). `` Chicago Keeps Hits Coming After 20 Years ''. Asheville Citizen - Times. Asheville, North Carolina, USA. p. 1L. Retrieved September 26, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Songs of the Year : 1958 - 2015 ''. Billboard. December 10, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Bowman, Rob. `` Chicago : Biography ''. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 27, 2017. Jump up ^ Burke, Barbara ( February 10, 2017 ). `` Tris Imboden finds peace, quiet in Malibu ''. Malibu Surfside News. 22nd Century Media, LLC. Retrieved September 27, 2017. Jump up ^ One More Story ( CD booklet ). Peter Cetera. Warner Bros. Records Inc. 1988. p. 13. 9 25704 - 2. Jump up ^ `` Chicago -- Chart history ''. Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Chicago ''. Walkoffame.com. Retrieved April 10, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Payne, Ed ( June 17, 2008 ). `` Chicago releases ' lost ' album 15 years after recording it ''. www.cnn.com. Cable News Network. Retrieved September 29, 2017. ^ Jump up to : LeRoy, Dan ( July 2, 2008 ). `` Chicago returns with a record that 's been sitting on the shelves for 15 years ''. Cleveland Scene. Cleveland, Ohio, USA : Cleveland Scene. Retrieved September 29, 2017. Jump up ^ Chicago at AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Eisenberg, Sherri ( Winter 1997 ). `` Montpelier Winter 1997 : Sound and Screen ''. www.jmu.edu. James Madison University. Retrieved September 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Chicago moving to Las Vegas ? ''. Las Vegas Sun. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA : Las Vegas Sun. March 8, 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Their kind of band, Chicago is ''. Orange County Register. Anaheim, California, USA : Southern California News Group. July 9, 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2017. Jump up ^ Weatherford, Mike ( October 10, 2008 ). `` Chicago ''. Las Vegas Review - Journal. Las Vegas Review - Journal, Inc. Retrieved October 1, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Curtin, Mike ( July 27, 2006 ). `` Old acts show some flash at SPAC ''. Glens Falls Post-Star. Glens Falls, New York, USA : Robert Forcey. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire reunite for summer tour ''. CNN. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Pound, Kara ( April 3, 2009 ). `` Chicago StAugustine.com ''. St. Augustine, Florida, U.S.A. : staugustine.com. Retrieved February 8, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Lifton, Dave ( May 27, 2012 ). `` Drew Hester Leaves Chicago ''. Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Champlin, Bill ( June 1, 2011 ). `` Bill Champlin, formerly of Chicago : Something Else ! Interview ''. Something ELSE ! ( Interview ). Interview with Nick Deriso. Retrieved September 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Payne, Ed ( August 11, 2009 ). `` Musician Bill Champlin leaves Chicago ''. www.cnn.com. Cable News Network. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Reitz, Allison ( December 18, 2009 ). `` Chicago, Doobie Brothers tour rolls out co-headlining dates for summer 2010 TicketNews ''. www.ticketnews.com. TicketNews. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Dretzka, Gary ( June 14, 2012 ). `` Movie City News : Chicago in Chicago : Blu - ray ''. moviecitynews.com. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Berman, Craig ( May 27, 2010 ). `` ' Idol ' voters make DeWyze choice ''. Today. Retrieved May 28, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Chicago with the Colorado Symphony ''. www.artscomplex.com. City and County of Denver. 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Wardlaw, Matt ( September 28, 2011 ). `` Chicago Reveal More Details About Holiday Album ''. Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire Network. Retrieved September 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chicago and Doobie Brothers Announce 2012 Tour ''. Ultimateclassicrock.com. June 27, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Santos, Sandra ( May 6, 2015 ). `` After nearly 50 years, Chicago still on the road and rocking ''. San Antonio Express - News. Retrieved February 10, 2017. Chicago 's newest member, percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr., came to the band in a fun way a few years ago, Scheff said. Reyes ' brother, percussionist Daniel de los Reyes, was originally touring with the band, but had also been playing with the Zac Brown Band. When scheduling conflicts arose, Reyes would fill in for his brother. De Los Reyes eventually joined the Zac Brown Band on their tour full - time, so Reyes was invited to join Chicago full - time, as well. Jump up ^ `` Front Row King ''. Retrieved February 23, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Walfredo Reyes Jr. ''. Chicago. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Walfredo Reyes Jr. ''. Walfredo Reyes Jr. Retrieved April 24, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Clear History '' - IMDB Archived April 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` '' Now '' Chicago XXXVI ``. Chicago Records. Retrieved April 14, 2014. Jump up ^ Stutz, Colin ( October 8, 2015 ). `` Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2016 Nominees : Cheap Trick, Chicago & More React ''. Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple + Steve Miller Elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ''. Ultimateclassicrock.com. December 17, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Original ' Chicago ' Drummer & Co-Founder Danny Seraphine to Perform at Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony ''. BWW. Retrieved February 16, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Ives, Brian ( April 8, 2016 ). `` Rock Hall Induction Ceremony 2016 Wrap - Up : Cheap Trick, N.W.A. and More ''. Radio.com. CBS Radio, Inc. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Legaspi, Althea ( June 1, 2016 ). `` Bonnie Raitt, Miguel, Chicago in ' Greatest Hits ' TV Lineup ''. Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 2, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Watch Chicago and Aloe Blacc Sing You 're The Inspiration on Greatest Hits ''. abc.go.com. ABC. Retrieved October 2, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Sands, David ( October 27, 2016 ). `` Jason Scheff leaves Chicago ''. For Bass Players Only. Notehead Media Group. Retrieved September 28, 2016. Jump up ^ Payne, Ed ( May 4, 2016 ). `` Chicago 's Jason Scheff ' not fired, ' has n't quit the band, source says ''. linkedin.com. Retrieved July 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chicago 's Jason Scheff Leaves Band After 30 Years : : Chicago News : : antiMusic.com ''. www.antimusic.com. Retrieved July 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Nick, DeRiso. `` Chicago Replace Longtime Singer and Bassist Jason Scheff ''. Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved November 2, 2016. Jump up ^ `` CNN Films Premieres ' NOW MORE THAN EVER : The History of Chicago ' on New Year 's Day '' ( Press release ). Cable News Network. December 15, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Farhi, Paul ( January 4, 2017 ). `` Why did CNN air a documentary about the band Chicago produced by band members ? ''. The Washington Post. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Sedona Film Festival - Award Winners : Past Festivals ''. www.sedonafilmfestival.org. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Staff, ISP ( April 28, 2016 ). `` Film Festival Awards ''. Island Sand Paper Fort Myers Beach News. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Percussionista Laudir de Oliveira morre, aos 77 anos '' ( in Portuguese ). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017. ^ Jump up to : Berg, John ( October 30, 2007 ). `` Across the Graphic Universe : an Interview with John Berg '' ( Interview ). Interview with Paul Nini. American Institute of Graphic Arts. Retrieved June 26, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Jacobson, Aileen ( November 23, 2012 ). `` Album Covers That Are as Evocative as the Music ''. The New York Times. ^ Jump up to : Fox, Margalit ( October 12, 2015 ). `` John Berg, Art Director Who Made Album Covers Sing, Dies at 83 ''. The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Meggs, Philip B. ( 1989 ). Type and Image : The Language of Graphic Design ( book ). New York : Van Nostrand Reinhold. p. 59. ISBN 9780442258467. OCLC 18191210. Retrieved June 27, 2013. Jump up ^ Verity, Michael ( March 15, 2011 ). `` Every Picture Tells A Story : The Iconic Chicago Logo ''. CBS. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013. Jump up ^ Nick Fasciano, credits at AllMusic at AllMusic. Retrieved June 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Grammy Winners Database ''. Retrieved January 23, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Sculley, Alan ( July 27, 2017 ). `` Original Chicago member, still rockin ' after 50 years, does n't mince words ''. Virginian - Pilot. Norfolk, Virgina, USA. Retrieved September 27, 2017. Jump up ^ Durchholz, Daniel ( June 22, 2017 ). `` Chicago delivers a satisfying career retrospective but pulls a political punch ''. stltoday.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Price, Robert ( August 10, 2017 ). `` Chicago feeling 50 years young ''. New Jersey Herald. Retrieved August 21, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Steve Jankowski... The Official Site ''. www.stevejankowski.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017. Jump up ^ Burnes, John ( June 11, 1992 ). `` Chicago Seems Merely to ' Cover ' Own Material ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Retrieved September 30, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Dimopoulos, Thomas ( June 21, 2002 ). `` Chicago brings its brass to town Sunday ''. The Saratogian. Saratoga Springs, New York, USA. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Flory, Julie Hail ( October 30, 2006 ). `` Chicago to Perform with Notre Dame Band ''. Notre Dame News. Notre Dame, Indiana, USA : University of Notre Dame. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Korson, Gerald ( July 7, 2008 ). `` ' Chicago ' musician releases CD of St. Alphonsus hymns ''. www.catholicvoiceoakland.org. Oakland, California, USA : Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, CA. Retrieved September 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Brainard, Karen ( August 15, 2011 ). `` RHS student takes stage with Chicago - Ramona Sentinel ''. www.sandiegouniontribune.com. Ramona, California, USA : Ramona Sentinel. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Saldaña, Hector ( August 3, 2011 ). `` Chicago fans should expect a night of infectious fun, dancing ''. San Antonio Express - News. Retrieved September 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Gabel, Sue ( April 11, 2015 ). `` Chicago announces 2015 spring and summer tour in North America ''. AXS. Archived from the original on 2016 - 07 - 18. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Yarborough, Chuck ( May 21, 2014 ). `` Chicago 's sold - out Hard Rock Rocksino show proves band is getting stronger every day ( Review ) ''. cleveland.com. Retrieved September 29, 2017. Jump up ^ Perciaccante, Mike ( September 1, 2012 ). `` The Doobie Brothers and Chicago : Wantagh, NY, August 18, 2012 ''. All About Jazz. All About Jazz. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Olson, Cathy Applefeld ( June 7, 2017 ). `` Chicago 's Jimmy Pankow on Band 's 50th Anniversary & What 's Next for Them ''. Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Grammy Award Nominees and Winners -- 1971 ''. awardsandshows.com. Jump up ^ `` Grammy Award Nominees and Winners -- 1974 ''. awardsandshows.com. ^ Jump up to : `` Grammy Award Nominees ''. awardsandshows.com. Jump up ^ `` Grammy Award Nominees and Winners -- 1980 ''. awardsandshows.com. Jump up ^ `` Grammy Award Nominees and Winners -- 1981 ''. awardsandshows.com. Jump up ^ `` Grammy Award Nominees and Winners -- 1983 ''. awardsandshows.com. Jump up ^ `` Grammy Award Nominees ''. awardsandshows.com. Jump up ^ `` 2014 GRAMMY HALL OF FAME ® INDUCTEES ''. grammy.org. Jump up ^ `` ' Sledgehammer ' wins ''. Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. February 28, 1987. p. 2A. Retrieved August 1, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Chicago ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 10, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees ''. Rockhall.com. Retrieved January 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Chicago ''. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 31, 2017. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to : Chicago ( band ) Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chicago ( band ). Official website A Chicago Story, the band 's official history Chicago Awards on AllMusic.com Debbie Kruger 's two interviews with Jimmy Pankow and Robert Lamm in 1999 Debbie Kruger 's words on Chicago, synthesizing those two interviews, for Goldmine Magazine in 1999 Debbie Kruger 's interview with Chicago for Performing Songwriter in July and August 2000 Chicago Robert Lamm Lee Loughnane James Pankow Walter Parazaider Tris Imboden Keith Howland Lou Pardini Walfredo Reyes Jr. Jeff Coffey Danny Seraphine Peter Cetera Terry Kath Laudir de Oliveira Donnie Dacus Chris Pinnick Bill Champlin Jason Scheff Dawayne Bailey Drew Hester Daniel de los Reyes Touring musicians Studio albums Chicago Transit Authority Chicago Chicago III Chicago V Chicago VI Chicago VII Chicago VIII Chicago X Chicago XI Hot Streets Chicago 13 Chicago XIV Chicago 16 Chicago 17 Chicago 18 Chicago 19 Twenty 1 Night & Day : Big Band Chicago XXV : The Christmas Album Chicago XXX Chicago XXXII : Stone of Sisyphus Chicago XXXIII : O Christmas Three Chicago XXXV : The Nashville Sessions Chicago XXXVI : Now Live albums Chicago at Carnegie Hall Live in Japan Chicago Transit Authority Live In Toronto Chicago XXVI : Live in Concert Chicago XXXIV : Live in ' 75 Chicago at Symphony Hall Compilations Chicago IX : Chicago 's Greatest Hits Greatest Hits, Volume II If You Leave Me Now Take Me Back to Chicago Greatest Hits 1982 -- 1989 Group Portrait The Heart of Chicago 1967 -- 1997 The Heart of Chicago 1967 -- 1998 Volume II The Very Best of Chicago : Only the Beginning The Box Love Songs The Best of Chicago : 40th Anniversary Edition Related articles Discography Peter Cetera Tom Dowd Tim Feehan David Foster James William Guercio Electra Glide in Blue Phil Ramone Chicago singles discography singles 1960s and 1970s 1969 `` Questions 67 and 68 '' `` Beginnings '' 1970 `` Make Me Smile '' `` 25 or 6 to 4 '' `` Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is ? '' 1971 `` Free '' `` Lowdown '' 1972 `` Saturday in the Park '' `` Dialogue ( Part I & II ) '' 1973 `` Feelin ' Stronger Every Day '' `` Just You ' N ' Me '' `` ( I 've Been ) Searchin ' So Long '' `` Call on Me '' `` Wishing You Were Here '' `` Harry Truman '' `` Old Days '' `` Brand New Love Affair '' 1976 `` Another Rainy Day in New York City '' `` If You Leave Me Now '' 1977 `` You Are on My Mind '' `` Baby, What a Big Surprise '' 1978 `` Little One '' `` Take Me Back to Chicago '' `` Alive Again '' `` No Tell Lover '' 1979 `` Gone Long Gone '' `` Must Have Been Crazy '' `` Street Player '' singles 1980s 1980 `` Thunder and Lightning '' `` Song for You '' 1982 `` Hard to Say I 'm Sorry '' `` Love Me Tomorrow '' `` What You 're Missing '' 1984 `` Stay the Night '' `` Hard Habit to Break '' `` You 're the Inspiration '' 1985 `` Along Comes a Woman '' 1986 `` 25 or 6 to 4 '' ( re-recorded ) `` Will You Still Love Me ? '' `` If She Would Have Been Faithful... '' `` Niagara Falls '' `` I Do n't Wanna Live Without Your Love '' `` Look Away '' `` You 're Not Alone '' `` We Can Last Forever '' `` What Kind of Man Would I Be ? '' singles 1990s and 2000s `` Hearts in Trouble '' 1991 `` Chasin ' the Wind '' `` Explain It to My Heart '' `` You Come to My Senses '' 2008 `` Let 's Take a Lifetime '' Billboard Year - End number one singles ( 1980 -- 1999 ) 1980 : `` Call Me '' -- Blondie 1981 : `` Bette Davis Eyes '' -- Kim Carnes 1982 : `` Physical '' -- Olivia Newton - John 1983 : `` Every Breath You Take '' -- The Police 1984 : `` When Doves Cry '' -- Prince 1985 : `` Careless Whisper '' -- Wham ! featuring George Michael 1986 : `` That 's What Friends Are For '' -- Dionne & Friends 1987 : `` Walk Like an Egyptian '' -- The Bangles 1988 : `` Faith '' -- George Michael 1989 : `` Look Away '' -- Chicago 1990 : `` Hold On '' -- Wilson Phillips 1991 : `` ( Everything I Do ) I Do It for You '' -- Bryan Adams 1992 : `` End of the Road '' -- Boyz II Men 1993 : `` I Will Always Love You '' -- Whitney Houston 1994 : `` The Sign '' -- Ace of Base 1995 : `` Gangsta 's Paradise '' -- Coolio featuring L.V. 1996 : `` Macarena ( Bayside Boys Mix ) '' -- Los del Río 1997 : `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' / `` Something About the Way You Look Tonight '' -- Elton John 1998 : `` Too Close '' -- Next 1999 : `` Believe '' -- Cher Complete list ( 1946 -- 1959 ) ( 1960 -- 1979 ) ( 1980 -- 1999 ) ( 2000 -- 2019 ) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Performers Cheap Trick Chicago Deep Purple N.W.A Steve Miller Non-performers ( Ahmet Ertegun Award ) Bert Berns LCCN : n85367841 ISNI : 0000 0001 1942 3263 GND : 1212016 - 9 MusicBrainz : 3f5be744 - e867 - 42fb - 8913 - 5fd69e4099b5 NLA : 35728791 BNE : XX99421 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chicago_(band)&oldid=804355158 '' Categories : 1967 establishments in Illinois American soft rock music groups Columbia Records artists Grammy Award winners Jazz fusion ensembles Musical groups established in 1967 Musical groups from Chicago Musical nonets Musical octets Musical septets Reprise Records artists Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Warner Bros. Records artists Hidden categories : CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from July 2011 Webarchive template wayback links CS1 Portuguese - language sources ( pt ) Use mdy dates from July 2017 Articles needing additional references from February 2008 All articles needing additional references Articles with hCards All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from February 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from September 2017 Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Wikipedia articles with NLA identifiers Articles which contain graphical timelines Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote Asturianu Български Boarisch Brezhoneg Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français 한국어 Հայերեն Bahasa Indonesia Italiano ქართული Nāhuatl Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Slovenčina Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 8 October 2017, at 13 : 04. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: how many original chicago band members are there
Answer: six