Concert Review: Legends at Legends, Chicago Live In Toppenish!
The band Chicago released their first album, Chicago Transit Authority in 1969. My grandfather gave the album to my dad when he was 18, and ever since, they have been my father's favorite band. My father played music in several bands through out the northwest, and tunes from Chicago were always a staple in his group's set lists. When I brought my father to this concert, I didn't realize how emotional it would be for him, and in turn, for me.
The band hit the Legends Casino Hotel Event Center stage a little after 8 pm on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023. The show didn't get over until just about 11 pm. With the exception of a 20 minute intermission, it was a night filled with with hit after hit.
Going into songs like "Dialogue (Part 1 & 2)", "Questions 67 & 68", and "Call on Me" the band finally took a moment for one of the founding members of the band, trombonist Jimmy Pankow to address the audience.
"We're so grateful to be back in your neighborhood... but honestly, after all this time, we're grateful to be anywhere!" - Jimmy Pankow
Laughter and cheers from the audience followed. He then promised a night full of hits, at least "the ones that they can remember". He and the rest of the 10 piece band, did not let us down.
Out of all of the concerts I have seen in growing up in a musical family, and working in the radio industry, Chicago might just be the "tightest" musically that I have ever seen perform. Which is extremely impressive considering all the different musical parts, arrangements, and members.
The history of Chicago is a long one, for more on that you can check out the band's Wikipedia page. On Saturday night's performance, Chicago consisted of the 3 surviving founding members (Robert Lamm (keyboard & vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), and Jimmy Pankow (Trombone)) as well as 7 other band mates that fill out the iconic sound. The band's main arrangement was 2 percussionists, 2 keyboardists, guitarist, bassist, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, and singer. But all the musicians, are just that, musicians! The members swapped out instruments, took turns in singing (lead and harmony) and just had a blast on stage! It was beautiful to see the band act like there was no one "front-man", they all took turns with their time in the spotlight, and each other loved and respected one another and their turn to shine!
One of the highlights of the night (for me) was when the kicked into the song "I'm a man", the three brass players swapped out their horns for percussion instruments, 8 out of the 10 members were all singing back-up and chorus. In the middle of the song, all band members, except the two percussionists left the stage, leaving the spotlight on a several minute drum solo which saw the two percussionists swap instruments and do some crowd work, all while not stopping the rhythm. Making way for the band to return on stage to finish out the song! It was epic!
Chicago started to wrap up the night with "Saturday in the Park" and "Feelin' Stronger Everyday", thanking the crowd and leaving the stage. For what seemed like less than a minute before coming back and kicking into their song "Free", and wrapping up the night with their hit "25 or 6 to 4". The crowd (ages spanning from 18 to 90) were on their feet and enjoying every minute of it.
There was a moment during the night when my dad leaned over to me, and told me "This was your mom & I's song at our wedding." My mother had passed away in 2000, and the band playing "Colour my World" brought back great memories, filled with emotions (and a few happy tears for him and I). I asked him how many times he had seen them in concert, and I was floored when he said how this was his first. He told me how it was amazing to finally see his heroes perform after 50+ years of loving their music.
It was indeed a great night filled with music, memories, and seeing legends, at Legends, with my own personal legend, my father, Jeff.
Chicago Albums Ranked
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