Famed rock \u2018n 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.<\/p>\n
Most in America know its name \u2014 it is one of the longest-running groups of all time, and the highest charting American band in Billboard\u2019s Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cnothing but hits,\u201d band member Ray Herrmann said. Needless to say, Chicago is not lacking in songs of that caliber, with classics like \u201cHard to Say I\u2019m Sorry,\u201d \u201cSaturday in the Park\u201d and \u201cFeelin\u2019 Stronger.\u201d The band was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll probably be two and a half hours of top 10 and top 20 hits,\u201d Herrmann said. \u201cI think last time we were there, we played with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra, but there\u2019s going to be fireworks this time, so I\u2019m looking forward to that myself. I might have to turn around and take a peek and see what\u2019s going on behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s the additional \u201chorn\u201d instruments that have contributed to Chicago\u2019s unique sound. Herrmann plays the saxophone and flute. Born and raised in Chicago, Herrmann moved to Los Angeles after earning his Master\u2019s degree from the University of North Texas.<\/p>\n
The band lineup also includes Wally Reyes, Jr. on drums, Neil Donell on vocals, Ramon \u201cRay\u201d Yslas on percussion, Tony Obrohta on guitar, Loren Gold on keyboards and vocals, and Eric Baines on bass and vocals.<\/p>\n
Music is constantly changing, Herrmann said. It\u2019s a strive for perfection \u2014 even though that can never quite be achieved, it is that calling that has driven Herrmann\u2019s work forward over the past several decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re only as good as your last performance,\u201d Herrmann said. \u201cAs I\u2019m getting older here, it gets harder. You\u2019ve got to practice more, you\u2019ve got to work harder, and that\u2019s a whole other set of issues that you have to deal with. That constant work is what makes it fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 \u201cChicago 17,\u201d released in 1984, hit platinum six times. They are one of the bestselling music groups of all time.<\/p>\n
Chicago released \u201cChicago IX: Greatest Hits Expanded\u201d on Aug. 8, 2025, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their original album. Plus, this year, Chicago\u2019s debut album \u201cChicago Transit Authority\u201d 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\u2019s recorded sound heritage. In 2020, Chicago was awarded a Grammy for the Lifetime Achievement Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re only as good as our last show, so we\u2019re going to give it our best every night,\u201d Herrmann said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to look back. Maybe, when I close the case and I don\u2019t take out my saxophone anymore, then maybe I\u2019ll have a chance to look back. But for right now, it\u2019s just practice, practice, practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Herrmann does not plan on retiring any time soon, however \u2014 neither does, he suspects, any other members of Chicago.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love music,\u201d Herrmann said. \u201cWe love playing together. That\u2019s the band is great, the personalities, the guys that are in the band right now, just to you know, we\u2019re just gelling. It is just a wonderful set of personalities. So I don\u2019t think anybody will retire on their own. I think it\u2019ll have to be a forced retirement, where, physically, you can\u2019t do it anymore. But that\u2019s not going to happen anytime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Chicago at the Hollywood Bowl<\/p>\n