When you've been making music and topping the charts for 50 years, it's a pretty daunting task to cram all of it into one night.
But Chicago, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band named after the hometown of its founding members, did a pretty good job of that Thursday night at Tucson Music Hall before a crowd that nearly filled every seat in the downtown venue.
It was the first night of the band's 2017 leg of its 50th anniversary tour and the stars seemed to be aligned for a near flawless tour kickoff. The house was packed, the sound system was without any major glitches and the band was primed to have have as good a time on a Thursday night in Tucson as it had that first concert a lifetime ago in their Windy City hometown.
"For all the times we've been doing this, this is a pretty dang nice first night," founding band member and trumpet player Lee Loughnane told the crowd.
Loughnane and his horn section buddies — trombonist James Pankow, who joined Chicago at its inception; and Walter Parazaider, who doubled on clarinet and flute — danced and jammed throughout the 2 1/2-hour concert. When he wasn't playing the trombone, Pankow was using it as a dance partner and jam buddy, rocking out to vocalist/bass-guitar player Jeff Coffey, who joined Chicago last spring.
Coffey played the biggest vocal role Thursday night, singing lead on iconic Chicago hits including "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "You're the Inspiration" and the ballad "If You Leave Me Now." He harmonized with keyboardist Lou Pardini, who joined the band in 2009, and founding keyboardist/lead singer and principal songwriter, Robert Lamm.
In the middle of the concert, the band took a 20-minute intermission, just enough time for Lamm to change from jeans to sweat pants and not enough time for the 20 to 25-deep lines at all four of the Music Hall's restrooms.
Almost everyone in the band got a chance behind the mic, including lead guitarist Keith Howland, who killed it on "Saturday In t he Park" and sang harmonies throughout the night.
Lamm started the night front and center, playing a portable keyboard hung on his shoulder and singing lead or harmony on several songs, his voice gently polished and vibrant. He moved to raised stage, next to percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr. and drummer Tris Imboden. By the second half, Lamm returned with grey sweats and sneakers and set up on the raised stage next to
It would have been impossible for Chicago to go too deep into its extensive catalogue in one night, although they did an admirable job chipping away at it. Also on the setlist: "Just You 'n' Me," "I'm A Man," "Questions 67 & 68," "Free" and "25 to 6 to 4."
