Famed rock ‘n roll band Chicago has had a busy summer. Performing at sold-out shows across the nation, the famed group that first formed in 1967 is keeping its legacy alive through its 58th touring season. Last year, they performed across the states and in Japan.

Most in America know its name — it is one of the longest-running groups of all time, and the highest charting American band in Billboard’s Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists.

On Sept. 12, Sept. 13 and Sept. 14, they will travel to Los Angeles, performing three shows at the Hollywood Bowl. They plan on playing “nothing but hits,” band member Ray Herrmann said. Needless to say, Chicago is not lacking in songs of that caliber, with classics like “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Saturday in the Park” and “Feelin’ Stronger.” The band was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

“It’ll probably be two and a half hours of top 10 and top 20 hits,” Herrmann said. “I think last time we were there, we played with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra, but there’s going to be fireworks this time, so I’m looking forward to that myself. I might have to turn around and take a peek and see what’s going on behind us.”

There are three original members currently performing in Chicago: Robert Lamm on keyboards, Lee Loughnane on trumpet and vocals and James Pankow on trombone. In total, there are 11 in the group, many of which play percussion instruments like the trumpets, flugelhorn, drums and bass. It’s the additional “horn” instruments that have contributed to Chicago’s unique sound. Herrmann plays the saxophone and flute. Born and raised in Chicago, Herrmann moved to Los Angeles after earning his Master’s degree from the University of North Texas.

The band lineup also includes Wally Reyes, Jr. on drums, Neil Donell on vocals, Ramon “Ray” Yslas on percussion, Tony Obrohta on guitar, Loren Gold on keyboards and vocals, and Eric Baines on bass and vocals.

Music is constantly changing, Herrmann said. It’s a strive for perfection — even though that can never quite be achieved, it is that calling that has driven Herrmann’s work forward over the past several decades.

“You’re only as good as your last performance,” Herrmann said. “As I’m getting older here, it gets harder. You’ve got to practice more, you’ve got to work harder, and that’s a whole other set of issues that you have to deal with. That constant work is what makes it fun.”

Over its half-century career, Chicago has sold over 100 million records, releasing 20 Top 10 pop and 22 Top 10 adult contemporary singles, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seventeen of its first 20 albums are certified platinum, nine of which are multiplatinum — “Chicago 17,” released in 1984, hit platinum six times. They are one of the bestselling music groups of all time.

Chicago released “Chicago IX: Greatest Hits Expanded” on Aug. 8, 2025, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their original album. Plus, this year, Chicago’s debut album “Chicago Transit Authority” was inducted into The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, which archives audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage. In 2020, Chicago was awarded a Grammy for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We’re only as good as our last show, so we’re going to give it our best every night,” Herrmann said. “It’s hard to look back. Maybe, when I close the case and I don’t take out my saxophone anymore, then maybe I’ll have a chance to look back. But for right now, it’s just practice, practice, practice.”

Herrmann does not plan on retiring any time soon, however — neither does, he suspects, any other members of Chicago.

“We love music,” Herrmann said. “We love playing together. That’s the band is great, the personalities, the guys that are in the band right now, just to you know, we’re just gelling. It is just a wonderful set of personalities. So I don’t think anybody will retire on their own. I think it’ll have to be a forced retirement, where, physically, you can’t do it anymore. But that’s not going to happen anytime soon.”

Chicago first performs at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, Sept. 12, starting at 8 p.m. Learn more about the shows at chicagotheband.com/tour.

Chicago at the Hollywood Bowl

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 to Sunday, Sept. 16

WHERE: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Avenue, Los Angeles

COST: Varies

INFO: chicagotheband.com