Legendary rock bands, REO Speedwagon and Chicago , announced they will kick off a co-headlining tour this summer with a stop at Jones Beach on August 17. The 15-date summer tour will take the bands through major metropolitan areas across the United States including New York City, Boston, Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit and more with even more dates to be announced
"It's ironic, that these two legendary bands, who both have roots in Illinois, were label-mates (Columbia/Epic) in the 70's, and experienced waves of immense success in the 80's and 90's, and have somehow continued to consistently make compelling music, both in-studio and on tour.... have never before performed together!" says Chicago'sRobert Lamm. "This situation is about to change, as Chicago and REO will perform together during the concert's encore and present a finale that will thrill their audiences. As a musician who has always respected REO's skills, I look forward to our first rehearsals early this summer. This will be fun!"
"With so many personal connections between various members of REO and Chicago, it is amazing that we have never actually toured together. I love it that the Chicago guys feel the way we do about truly playing together when you tour together," says REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin. "Can you imagine the Chicago horn section on 'Roll With the Changes'? That would blow my mind! This tour promises to deliver some unique music from two bands who have made a ton of hit records, share that Midwest work ethic, and still refuse to sit back on their past accomplishments. We both keep raising the bar, challenging ourselves, and rocking hard... and the audience is the ultimate winner. We are psyched... I can't wait for this
Chicago Hailed as one of the "most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era" by President Bill Clinton, the legendary rock and roll band with horns, Chicago, is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six decades.
In March of 2013, Chicago's multi-platinum two-disc bestseller, The Very Best Of Chicago, Only The Beginning charted at #1 on two Billboard charts: the Catalog Chart, and the Digital Catalog chart. In Billboard Magazine's list of Top 100 artists of all time, Chicago came in at #13, the highest charting American band. Chicago will be performing on the GRAMMY stage for the first time in 2014, and their album The Chicago Transit Authority was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame this year.
Formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, the group has produced a steady stream of hits throughout their career, including "25 or 6 to 4", "Saturday In The Park", "Hard Habit To Break", "If You Leave Me Now" & many more. 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. Record sales top the 100,000,000 mark, and include 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles and 5 Gold singles.
The line-up includes 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 Wally Reyes on percussion.
From the signature sound of the Chicago horns, their iconic vocalists, and a few dozen of ever-classic songs, this band's concerts are celebrations. The band is now in their 46th consecutive year of touring, without missing a single concert date!
Chicago continue to be true ambassadors for their beloved hometown, carrying the city's name with pride and dignity around the world. Chicago is currently recording new songs. Fans are being offered clips of works in progress on the band's website,www.chicagotheband.com .
REO Speedwagon Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO SPEEDWAGON has rocked to the top of the charts with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S., 40 million around the globe, and a string of gold and platinum records. The group's nine-times certified platinum Hi Infidelity spent 15 weeks in the #1 slot. Thirty–plus years later, Cronin and bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying concert audiences across the nation. Live at Moondance Jam - the band's hit-filled performance from the country's premier classic rock festival, was released in both a Blu-ray and a deluxe edition (containing a CD and DVD in a glossy digipak) on November 19th. REO unveiled the band's "Great Chicago Fire Hydrant" as part of a citywide Chicago public art installation project to benefit the 100 Club Chicago. Recently, REO SPEEDWAGON and STYX organized Rock To The Rescue Extends A Hand To Those In Need, a benefit concert to raise funds for central Illinois communities that were affected by the recent devastating tornadoes. This concert raised in excess of $400,000 and REO Speedwagon continues to raise funds for Rock To The Rescue at headlining shows in the Midwest.
