Chicago back in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - What factors account for the enduring popularity of an international rock or pop band?

A lot, foremost of which is the special ability to charm and inspire audiences of all ages and classes with the beauty of its music, the novelty of its style and the world-class quality of its act.

Chicago has all these attributes — and more.

It has both earned tremendous attention and acclaim from other top musicians who have obviously been influenced by its music, and consistently maintained the support of millions worldwide throughout its successful career spanning more than 40 years.

With its new-found attention and popularity, Chicago will showcase before local fans the awesome products of its amazing staying power when it returns to Manila after nearly two decades for a live concert on Sept. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

To be mounted by Ovation Productions, Chicago Live In Manila! will feature hit ballads like Questions 67 & 68, Beginnings, Make Me Smile, 25 or 6 to 4, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Lowdown, Color My World, I’m A Man, Saturday In The Park, Dialogue and Free.

Other songs to be performed are Feeling Stronger Everyday, Just You And Me, I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long, Call On Me, Wishing You Were Here, Old Days, If You Leave Me Now, Baby, What A Big Surprise, Love Me Tomorrow, Hard Habit To Break, No Tell Lover, Look Away, and many more.

The musical extravaganza is a tribute to the incredible longevity of the band considered as one of the longest-running and most successful US pop/rock ‘n roll groups and which trombonist James Pankow described as “really remarkable.”

“Not just the longevity, but we’re still, in fact, a ticket in demand. Let’s face it, we’ve outlasted some of the buildings we’ve played in,” he stressed.

The fresh attention focused on Chicago puts the spotlight on the remarkable career of a group formed in 1967 around a North Side kitchen table in the Windy City for the simple purpose of creating music rooted in rock, pop, R&B, jazz and swing.

Since then, it has produced a formidable array of hits in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s that have earned for it a total of 19 gold albums, 13 platinum albums, 12 Top 10s, and five No. 1. From its singles, it has scored 21 Top 10 hits, five No. 1 records and five gold singles. In all, Chicago has sold over 120 million albums worldwide.

The present members of Chicago are Robert Lamm, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazaider, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff, Tris Imboden and Keith Howland.

Chicago Live In Manila! is supported by etc, 2nd Avenue, RJ 100.3 FM, Jack TV, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, Imarflex, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, philstar.com, GetzMo!, Focalcast Network and OptimaSignsolutions.

Tickets are priced at P4,700, P4,500, P3,500, P2,500, P1,000 and P500 and available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores. For details, call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ovation Productions at 532-8883.