Lately, Chicago has been all over my Substacks like they were all over the charts in the '70s. I'm sure the surviving original members are pleased their old stuff still gets new listeners.
It wasn't until I got the 2CD compilation "Only The Beginning" (which is a must have for fans) that I found out that "Make Me Smile" was actually an edited portion of a much-longer piece on their first album called "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon". '60s and '70s bands used to have long and ambitious pieces on their albums like that (taking advantage of the longer running time of an LP as opposed to a 45 RPM disc) and clearly they were no exception, although their true metier was short and snappy singles.
I think the first clip in this post has been edited down to just "Make Me Smile," with other music from "Ballet" cut out. The 2nd clip, the official radio single, doesn't have Terry's guitar solo and I wanted people to be able to see that, as he was an amazing guitarist as well as performer and songwriter.
I'm glad people are discovering or rediscovering them through substack. Their music is timeless and amazing. And if it gives Jimmy Pankow more royalties, that's good too!
I saw them live in Madison Square Garden in 1975, when they co-headlined with the Beach Boys. It was a bittersweet experience, for reasons I've written about. Chicago were the biggest thing in the world at that moment, and the Beach Boys were living legends, but in the process of disintegrating. Dennis Wilson was a mess (his substance abuse would kill him a few years later). Chicago held up their end of the bargain, though.
I read your post and sorry to hear about your bad experience with that concert and your regrets. Those poor Wilson boys. I don't know where I read about it, but they had a tough time of it in terms of abuse from their father/manager. It can't have been easy for you witnessing the repercussions of that as a teenager, especially on a date (!).
Re Chicago, I was surprised at your take on them, given that they are among the top ten bands in terms of all-time chart success, with over 100 million records sold. They still tour, and even Russia has a famous tribute band called Leonid and Friends that does their tunes, so they seem to have found a new global audience. I'm guessing the Beach Boys are more your cup of tea and the reason why you got those dear tickets all those years ago? (We'll have to debate Beach Boys vs Chicago at some point, which could be great fun.)
Thanks Ellen for all the thoughts. Yes, the Boys had a rough time of it, and it eventually destroyed them. Re. Chicago, they are enormously successful and I think at their peak were really good. I liked them and very much enjoyed their set in that concert. But commercial success is only part of the story. If I had to name the best band of that era, doing that sort of crossover thing, it would be Tower of Power. Their musicianship was at another level. As for why I got those tickets, it was mainly to make a grand gesture I hoped would get through to the girl in question. Same stupid mistake most boys make, thinking there is anything we can do to change a girl's mind.
Girls make those mistakes too, only in different ways. I could share some of my own doozies in that department! (But I won't to avoid making a fool of myself a second time.)
Hear you on the superb level of Tower of Power musicianship (crossing over into funk and R&B, I'm assuming you mean).
I put "Make Me Smile" in my Top Ten of 1970. It's one of SO MANY great Chicago songs that were played by my older sister Judy in our house during that era. Love the words and of course the production!
Great top 10 list you had that year. I really want to read your other memoire posts when I get a chance.
Yours is the perfect example of why older sisters are so important! (I say that as the oldest of four siblings.) Especially if they love and play Chicago tunes for your listening pleasure.
Lately, Chicago has been all over my Substacks like they were all over the charts in the '70s. I'm sure the surviving original members are pleased their old stuff still gets new listeners.
It wasn't until I got the 2CD compilation "Only The Beginning" (which is a must have for fans) that I found out that "Make Me Smile" was actually an edited portion of a much-longer piece on their first album called "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon". '60s and '70s bands used to have long and ambitious pieces on their albums like that (taking advantage of the longer running time of an LP as opposed to a 45 RPM disc) and clearly they were no exception, although their true metier was short and snappy singles.
I think the first clip in this post has been edited down to just "Make Me Smile," with other music from "Ballet" cut out. The 2nd clip, the official radio single, doesn't have Terry's guitar solo and I wanted people to be able to see that, as he was an amazing guitarist as well as performer and songwriter.
I'm glad people are discovering or rediscovering them through substack. Their music is timeless and amazing. And if it gives Jimmy Pankow more royalties, that's good too!
I saw them live in Madison Square Garden in 1975, when they co-headlined with the Beach Boys. It was a bittersweet experience, for reasons I've written about. Chicago were the biggest thing in the world at that moment, and the Beach Boys were living legends, but in the process of disintegrating. Dennis Wilson was a mess (his substance abuse would kill him a few years later). Chicago held up their end of the bargain, though.
I read your post and sorry to hear about your bad experience with that concert and your regrets. Those poor Wilson boys. I don't know where I read about it, but they had a tough time of it in terms of abuse from their father/manager. It can't have been easy for you witnessing the repercussions of that as a teenager, especially on a date (!).
Re Chicago, I was surprised at your take on them, given that they are among the top ten bands in terms of all-time chart success, with over 100 million records sold. They still tour, and even Russia has a famous tribute band called Leonid and Friends that does their tunes, so they seem to have found a new global audience. I'm guessing the Beach Boys are more your cup of tea and the reason why you got those dear tickets all those years ago? (We'll have to debate Beach Boys vs Chicago at some point, which could be great fun.)
Thanks Ellen for all the thoughts. Yes, the Boys had a rough time of it, and it eventually destroyed them. Re. Chicago, they are enormously successful and I think at their peak were really good. I liked them and very much enjoyed their set in that concert. But commercial success is only part of the story. If I had to name the best band of that era, doing that sort of crossover thing, it would be Tower of Power. Their musicianship was at another level. As for why I got those tickets, it was mainly to make a grand gesture I hoped would get through to the girl in question. Same stupid mistake most boys make, thinking there is anything we can do to change a girl's mind.
Girls make those mistakes too, only in different ways. I could share some of my own doozies in that department! (But I won't to avoid making a fool of myself a second time.)
Hear you on the superb level of Tower of Power musicianship (crossing over into funk and R&B, I'm assuming you mean).
I put "Make Me Smile" in my Top Ten of 1970. It's one of SO MANY great Chicago songs that were played by my older sister Judy in our house during that era. Love the words and of course the production!
Great top 10 list you had that year. I really want to read your other memoire posts when I get a chance.
Yours is the perfect example of why older sisters are so important! (I say that as the oldest of four siblings.) Especially if they love and play Chicago tunes for your listening pleasure.