Chicago’s big brass and timeless hits return to Hard Rock Live on April 20 at 8 p.m. As part of its 2011 nationwide concert tour, Chicago is, again, joining forces with the American Cancer Society to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. The band and the Society, which last year declared itself The Official Sponsor Of Birthdays®, will offer fans the experience of a lifetime, and the chance to contribute to the fight against breast cancer with the “Sing with Chicago” promotion. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 18 at noon.
Fans in every city where the band is performing will be able to bid on a package that includes two premium tickets, backstage passes, and the opportunity to sing the worldwide, #1 hit song “If You Leave Me Now” onstage with the band during the concert. Chicago and the Society are making this exciting experience available in dozens of U.S. cities through the end of the year using an online auction on Mission Fish, the charitable arm of E-bay. All proceeds will directly aid the Society’s fight against breast cancer. The auction page can be found at http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=americancancersociety
While only one fan can win each auction, all fans at Chicago concerts will have an opportunity to help save lives and support the breast cancer fight by making a one-time donation to the American Cancer Society by texting the word Chicago to 20222. Fans will also be encouraged to join the growing movement for more birthdays at morebirthdays.com.
Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in five decades. In Billboard magazine’s recent list of Top 100 artists of all time, Chicago came in at #13, the highest charting American band. Record sales top the 100,000,000 mark, and include 21 Top 10 singles, five consecutive #1 albums, 11 #1 singles and five gold singles. An incredible 25 of their 32 albums have been certified platinum, and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards.
Well known for being one of the first (and, one of the few) rock bands to make extensive use of horns, Chicago (previously known as Chicago Transit Authority) began in 1967 as a politically charged, sometimes experimental rock band and later moved to a softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. Early radio favorites include “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” “Beginnings,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Make Me Smile,” “Colour My World” and “Saturday in the Park.” Later popular songs number many and include “Just You ‘N’ Me,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long,” “Wishing You Were Here,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Baby, What A Big Surprise” and “Alive Again.”
From the early ‘80s through today, Chicago has topped the charts with “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Love Me Tomorrow,” “Stay The Night,” “Hard Habit To Break,” “You’re The Inspiration,” “Along Comes A Woman,” “Look Away,” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love,” effectively inspiring a new generation of fans.
Lifetime achievements include a Grammy Award, multiple American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Chicago street dedicated in their honor, and keys to and proclamations from an impressive list of US cities. In addition to the American Cancer Society, Chicago has generously supported other charitable causes in the past, donating a portion of ticket sales to support finding a cure for a fatal children’s disease and an organization that serves children and adults with special needs.
Chicago were thrilled to be invited to perform at last year’s 2010 American Idol season finale, especially since they were paired with winner Lee DeWyze, who sang three of Chicago’s hits with them. Being a native of Chicago, DeWyze had much in common with his hometown idols and went on to win the evening’s big prize.
The line-up on tour will include original band members Robert Lamm on keyboards, vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone and Walt Parazaider on woodwinds, as well as Jason Scheff on bass, vocals, Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar, Lou Pardini on keyboards, vocals and Drew Hester on percussion. For more on the tour, visit www.chicagotheband.com.
For more information on “Sing with Chicago,” please visit cancer.org/singwithchicago.
Tickets cost $90, $75 and $60*; all seats are available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office, open Tuesday – Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and on Sunday & Monday – only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply.