Chicago

The Profile

Chicago is an American rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, known for blending rock with a prominent horn section and for a long-running career that spans jazz-rock/progressive-leaning early albums and later mainstream pop/AOR successes.

From the reviews: early Chicago are described as a septet with sax/trumpet/trombone horns, multiple lead vocalists (Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera, Terry Kath), and an early tendency toward double-LP масштаб/"gigantism"; producer James William Guercio is credited for the early sound. The band later embraced 80s studio polish and AOR aesthetics (reviews highlight David Foster, synths/electronic drums), with Cetera leaving for a solo career in 1985. Publicly verifiable: the band formed in 1967 and was originally named Chicago Transit Authority; they are commonly categorized within rock with strong brass arrangements and had major commercial success.

Across these reviews, Chicago are portrayed as a horns-driven jazz-rock powerhouse in the early years, with ambitious double albums and long suites. Several writers contrast that period with later slick, adult-oriented pop/AOR, especially in the 80s David Foster era. Terry Kath is repeatedly singled out as a standout guitarist/vocalist, while Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm are central voices and writers. Overall sentiment ranges from reverent about the early catalogue to selective appreciation of later records and hits.