INTERVIEW: Chicago band members ‘feelin’ stronger every day’

Photo: Chicago continue to tour the world, bringing their unique, horn-infused sound to the masses. Photo courtesy of the band / Provided with permission.

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Chicago are a celebrated band who over the course of many decades have brought unique elements to the sound of rock ‘n’ roll. For starters, they are known as the band with the horns, which creates a sound unparalleled in the music business.

Their records have sold millions upon millions of copies, and Chicago II still goes down as a rock highlight, almost 50 years after its initial release. Their hit tunes — “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” and “Make Me Smile” — continue to crowd the airwaves with near-constant radio play.

Their latest recording effort is Chicago XXXVI: Now, which should give listeners an idea of how many years this group has been going.

The legendary band have survived throughout the years because of reliable lineup changes that infuse new energy into the group. The musicians who are on stage, including founding members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane and James Pankow, bring that recognizable sound night in and night out. Lamm composes, plays keyboards and provides vocals, while Loughnane, the songwriter, is on trumpet and flugelhorn. Pankow is the trombonist, horn arranger and composer.

One of the steadiest and longest-serving members of Chicago is Keith Howland, who is on guitar and vocals for the band. He has been with the group for a quarter of a century. The Maryland native first saw Chicago play in 1975, at a concert that saw him break out in a rash because of a couple of nearby marijuana smokers. His mother, dispensing of good advice, told the child he must have an allergy to the drug.

Now, many years later, he finds himself fronting the band he admired as a youngster.

Howland recently exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about what fans can expect at the group’s upcoming concerts. They make stops June 17-18 at the Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, New York; June 29 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey; and other stops in Maine, New Hampshire, California, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What can fans expect on Chicago’s stop in the local area?

Fans can expect over two hours of hit music in two sets with a short intermission … get your popcorn! Contrary to popular belief, this is a high-energy concert sprinkled throughout with the love songs you came to hear as well. 

What were your early days like in the band? Excited? Nervous?

Early on I was both nervous and excited … later mostly excited. I remember reading once that Bruce Springsteen once said that nervous and excited felt the same to him, so he chose to interpret it as excitement!  

When did you first pick up a guitar? Why that particular instrument?

First picked up a guitar at age 7. My brother was four years older and a drummer, so I figured I couldn’t play drums so guitar it was!

Why do you think the band’s music continues to live on for future generations?

I truly believe that the music from that era has stood the test of time for many classic artists because the music was captured in an organic way, without the use of auto-tune and computers to fix everything. It resonates with humans because it is human. Also, the songwriting inside this band was/is so strong. A great song will always endure.    

What’s your favorite part of a concert? Is there a particular song or moment that you cherish?

My favorite part of the concert is usually the encore because it includes ’25 or 6 to 4,’ which has about a 3-minute guitar solo! It also means I’m that much closer to my after-show food! Ha Ha!

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Chicago make stops June 17-18 at the Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, New York; June 29 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey; and other stops in Maine, New Hampshire, California, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Click here for more information and tickets.

Revised 6/19