Chicago - Beginnings | REACTION 

Rule #1 with early Chicago, if you think it's over, it's not

We had the best music in the world. This was the beginnings of one of the best bands of the 70’s♥️

THIS was the norm back in OUR day of the 1970s. Chicago, Doobie Brothers, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire...part of the greatest decade of music. AND, they all are STILL performing today influencing the young generation! Good job fellahs!

Talented musicians and singers. Not just dancers with piped in music and autotune. Real fucking music and real fucking musicians and singers.

Terry kath is an under rated genius. He could play rhythm or lead and switch back and forth

Terry Kath is the G.O.A.T (RIP). At that time he was the best lead guitarist in the business and maybe still is. I absolutely love this group.

I call that era of Chicago, “The Terry Kath” years. The best years. Incredible talents, all of them.

This is one of the best endings to a song ever

The Terry Kath Era of Chicago was the best! On the debut album as The Chicago Transit Authority you MUST listen to "Poem 58"!

The brass and saxophone players were EXCELLENT!

The brass and saxophone made Chicago unique among rock & roll bands.

The drumming, the brass and the overall sound of this song is a combination of big band meets rock

This lineup was just so. Damn. Good. There really isn't a bad song in the catalog,, only varying levels of greatness. This is a masterpiece. Great reaction guys! Thanks!

Back in those days, a group like this was SO creative and they were free to try all sorts of things… it would never happen now, not in a pop song on the radio… I love the whole ending… this is what they were inspired to do… and Ryan is right about Robert Lamn… great voice and songwriter

I first heard this as a high school music student in the '70's. My music buddies and I were floored. Nobody had ever heard anything like it before. Still a fantastic example of early jazz-rock fusion.

CHICAGO, "BEGINNINGS". I was 10 years old when I first was blessed by one of finest bands ever. Their early days were the favorite of many fans of the Era. More excellent Chicago. Now it's Terry Kath turn doing lead vocals, "MAKE ME SMILE", "SATURDAY IN THE PARK", "DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?", DIALOGUE PARTS 1 AND 2", "QUESTIONS 67 AND 68", "I'M A MAN"...✌ 🎶 Rock On MAN 🎵

You've heard Peter Cetera's tenor and Robert Lamm's smooth baritone, but you haven't lived until you've dig Terry Kath's soulful gravel. Try "Make Me Smile" off their second album for a taste of it. Or even better, do the entire "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" that generated two big hits from separate radio edits.

The horns at the end raise the song into the stratosphere. Remind me of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

I agree with Ryan, so creative authentic musicianship. Love all of it. At the end it was like a African style improv. Great stuff.

Most underrated bass player ever

Chicago's first 3 or 4 albums are their best!.... Check out, Make Me Smile (extended version). Terry Kath one of the greatest guitarists and singers!

All of Chicago were Jazz Musicians. I believe they started out as a Jazz band, before they adopted rock into their music. The drummer is Danny Seraphine, who was a jazz drummer, and it's why his drumming stood out so much.

Chicago was a band that could start out slowly with a guitar solo, add drums, horns then the vocals come in clearly and precise. Gradually they layer in more percussion and the full horn section till you have a perfect rock symphony.

Whoever sings they always have 3 great backup singers for great harmonies

As a band kid growing up in the 80's, Chicago was THE band. We all wanted to be in the horn section of the band, which really does have fatastic arrangements. Some have said that because their trombone player, James Pankow, did the arrangements for the horns. Being a "support" instrument he made sure that all the parts were interesting to play. ALSO!!! Killer Trombone solo in this song.

Next Up: Make Me Smile. Terry Kath, the lead guitarist also performs the vocals. Killer song and another instant classic with that unmistakable old school, can't miss sound of Chicago.

One of their greatest tunes and my favorite one after all this time!

You guys HAVE to give “Wishing You Were Here” not only because it’s an amazing ballad, but because The Beach Boys actually do the background vocals!

The drummer, Danny Seraphine, is the bomb! He is touring again this year, and his tour is called "Back To Chicago," so I'm hoping he will be playing some Chicago songs. We will see him in November. SO excited!!

Those first few albums, Chicago was as good as any band on the planet....

This is an amazing song all the way through by Chicago. You should listen to Make Me Smile, and Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is.

Everything from Chicago in the 70's was FIRE

Wow. How does someone listen to this song and want to cut off the ending?!! Just. Wow. So much respect to Ryan, who appreciated the greatness of this masterpiece. The ending in this song just keeps growing, elevating the emotion. It can literally bring tears to my eyes. Definitely in my top five songs of all time.

When Chicago Transit Authority was touring, Danny Seraphine was one of the drummers of the era that impressed Buddy Rich. Yes, THAT Buddy Rich. Just as Jimi Hendrix telling Chicago their guitar player was better than Jimi himself, there was respect from a legend in his craft for Seraphine.

Guys, If you want to know what Chicago's BEST is all about, first song, first album (Chicago Transit Authority). It's called "Introduction", and all that weird, wonderful stuff was written by guitarist Terry Kath who also sang it. Understand, it was HIS band. This rockin', soulful guitarist's band. Trust me and give it a listen. Thanks for what you do.

Yes, it's basically a 4 piece…with a 3-person horn section added to it. Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals) Terry Kath (guitar, vocals) Peter Cetera (bass, vocals) Danny Seraphine (drums) James Pankow (trumpet) Lee Loughiane (trombone) Walter Parazaider (various woodwind instruments, notably the saxophone) All three vocalists wrote, although they didn't always sing their own songs: for example, Lamm wrote "25 or 6 to 4", but thought it was better suited for Cetera's high tenor. James Pankow also wrote, but as it's a bit tough to sing while playing the trumpet, usually someone else had the vocals on his. Suggestions: "Saturday in the Park" (Lamm) "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" (includes the famous segments "Make Me Smile" and "Color My World"; Pankow wrote it, Kath sings) "Feeling Stronger Every Day" (Cetera) "Wishing You Were Here" (Kath, with Cetera helping out.) Enjoy.

Oh, this was so, so gooooood...............Terry had the most recognizable voice. Chicago was and remains amazing. You have GOT to listen to "Wake Up Sunshine"

Make Me Smile should be next. Its a song that will make you all happy! 😂

they were all music professers just imagine that..... the talent up and down

Pull up a picture of Danny Seraphine’s drum set from back then and you’ll be amazed how much sound he gets out of such a small set. Just incredible.

There will never be a band this good ever again. For the same reason we don't build cathedrals anymore. It just isn't economically viable.

Another fantastic song from Chicago Transit Authority is the first song on the album--Introduction. The guitarist, the late Terry Kath, introduces the band with this song--hence Introduction. He’s not introducing them by name but with what each brings to the group. Best first song off of a first album ever…. IMHO

I grew up with this great band from the 70's-80's. They were a rock & roll band with horns & blended elements of classical music, jazz, R&B, & pop music. They had a lot of great songs such as "Make Me Smile", "25 or 6 to 4", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Questions 67 & 68", "I'm A Man", "Where Do We Go From Here?", "Free", "Lowdown", "Saturday In The Park", "Colour My World", "Hard To Say I'm Sorry", "You're The Inspiration", "Will You Still Love Me?", "Look Away", "Feelin' Stronger Every Day", "If You Leave Me Now", "Old Days" etc.

Early Chicago was as great a band as any other. And they really took musical chances. The voices of Robert Lamm (lead) with Peter Cetera and all-time guitarist Terry Kath. Fun watching you guys enjoy THIS CLASSIC!

They're known as a "Superband", and for good reason.

Dudes early Chicago was just an experience. Pretty much every song of theirs was an orchestration. I didn't discover them until maybe 2010 ish and my mind was blown. I could not believe this was the same group that recorded You're the Inspiration or Hard Habit to Break. This track is definitely up there for me along with Call on Me and Make Me Smile. They had 3 main lead vocalists - Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm and Terry Kath.

Ryan, you nailed it this time. I was there in the beginning (when it was released) and the ending was an integral part of the song. Remember, we came from the transitor radio era and we never heard percussion like that. ( except for Santana)

So much talent for 50 years now….

Lamm wrote most of the stuff for their first three albums. [Drummer] Danny Seraphine said "Lamm carried us for the first 3 albums because he had a stack of songs written early." Robert Lamm on lead vocals here, on their most famous song, "Saturday in the park", with Peter Cetera., lead vocals on other great ones.

The horn solo you heard was a Trombone (James Pankow), followed up by a solo on a Trumpet (Lee Loughnane). The Chicago horn section was unique at its time, much like the Tower of Power and EWF horn sections.

“MAKE ME SMILE” is a Chicago MUST! 😁❤️

Ryan I agree with you, Robert Lamm's voice is my favourite of the 3 Chicago singers. If you want to hear another song by him you should listen to "Saturday In the Park" and "Does anyone really know what time it is".

Other great Chicago songs sung by Robert Lamm are Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? and Saturday In The Park. They had a lot of members but remember three of them make up the horn section. 🥁 Danny Seraphine on drums 🔥

Back in the 70s, the band used this song to finish the show. It left the crowd hopeful and excited about future CHICAGO recording to come. As one of their best loved early works, this song was sure to please .

This is an awesome song by Chicago! If you haven’t already please do a Rare Earth song! They’re also fantastic. ❤

They are known for THE HORNS!

I love early Chicago music it's passionate, creative, eclectic, and gold. Watch Ryan's face in the beginning of the song. Pure joy ❤

Man do I envy you Cats, hearing these songs for the first time and enjoying something that has been in my life for over 50 years. This is truly why I watch reaction channels and there are so many bands and songs that are part of the early soundtrack of my life. I was a freshman in high school when this debut and it remains one of my most favorite albums of all time. It is hard to explain this era because the music scene was exploding and there were so many bands that were blazing new and wonderful trails. Living in Northern California I was listening to album cuts on "underground FM stations" like KSAN and KMPX. So, the long vinyl cuts were preferred but not friendly for AM radio play. So many great guitar solos end up edited out to make the commercial play list. Like so many albums the debut LP is often my favorite, and this is no different. The first 3 records were double LPs, and the 4th was a 4-record set and all of that released in a 3-year period. To say they were very talented and prolific would be an understatement. Great Reactions!

The guy on the trombone did/ does a lot of their arrangements and wrote several of their songs. Still preforms with them today and is quite flamboyant on stage. 😊

Just thinking that there's absolutely NO ONE ONE making this kind of great music today! Hate to say it but it is a lost art!

My favorite chicago song. S tier.

I'm A Man from that same album is still my favorite Chicago tune. You would love it. Trust me. Killer guitar and same kind of percussion layers.

So many people really have no clue how incredible this band was before Terry Kath died and David Foster took over a few years later and started producing and made them an 80's massive hit machine.

I love when I'm transported back in time to those days when I listened to these songs on the radio.

They are the Dream Theater of their genre. A Super Group

The entire song is a jam!

I’ve owned this album since it was released and have loved the percussion fade-out of Beginnings with a passion. It just makes the song elevate from great to classic.

Kudos, guys. This studio version has been reacted to almost never, in lieu of a live version, which obscures and muddles the sound. Kudos for noticing Danny Seraphine, whose drum fills are extremely satisfying and clean. Almost no one ever mentions him, but he's captivating in driving this song. Thanks so much. Enjoyed that you played it and also enjoyed that you really listened. :)

Chicago Live at Tanglewood to see this great band in action. On I'm A Man, you'll hear the 3 singers taking turns, starting with Terry Kath, guitarist, switching to Robert Lamm, keyboardist and then Peter Cetera, bass guitar. They sound just as good live! Make Me Smile features Terry Kath's growl on vocals. I believe Robert Lamm sang Saturday In The Park as well. I grew up with Chicago during the Terry Kath years and those are my favorites. Great reaction, so glad you all enjoyed it! Their musicianship is impeccable!

back in the day most of us were high and the percussions sounded awesome.

I'm one of the biggest Chicago fans ever. Love them so much, have been to many concerts and I own every album they've ever put out. That being said, you folks need to do a search for Leonid & Friends and listen to their Beginnings or any other famous Chicago song. They are the ultimate tribute band and if you know Chicago like I do, you'll see that they play the songs note for note. Since all of the original Chicago guys (inlcuding me) are old dudes now, Leonid & Friends are a re-birth of Chicago. Catch one of their concerts. You won't be disappointed.

Do Introduction. It's the first song on this album. Danny Seraphine's drumming is insane. There's about 5 tempo changes too. Great song.

Their first album is killer. I wore out the vinyl, got the cassette, later the CD and now its on my iPhone.

And over the manic closing percussion sequence: "ALL ABOUT THE BRADYS! ALL ABOUT THE BRADYS!"

This is the real Chicago, the original seven, a hard-driving rock and roll band with horns. Check out the first song on this debut album, “Introduction”, or “Poem 58”, where Terry Kath shreds like no other. Another great one is Terry Kath’s “Oh Thank You Great Spirit “, which is his tribute to Jimi Hendrix.

there are 3 singers in this group: Robert Lamm(keyboards); Peter Cetera(bass guitar); and Terry Kath(lead guitar). Robert Lamm wrote most of their songs, but other members, especially James Pankow (trombone) and Cetera, wrote or co-wrote quite a few. Pankow wrote "Make Me Smile". The first song on their first album (Chicago Transit Authority) is called "Introduction" which basically introduces what this band called "Chicago" is all about. Really the first group that incorporates horns into the melodies, not relegated to only background. If you can get the actual album (CTA), the inside jacket will explain the logic in changing their name to "Chicago", which reflects where they started as a group. They had to consider a name change because the Chicago Transit Authority said using the name was infringement and threatened to file suit. So, they just re-named themselves to"Chicago". Early Chicago, '68-"76 was their best years. They had more Top 40 hits than any other group in the 70's. After Kath (RIP) died they started a focus more on ballads which highlighted Cetera's vocals more (great tenor). Still believe that they were all under-recognized for their talents with their respective instruments, especially guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and drummer (Danny Seraphine) and for their vocals/harmonies and Lamm's songwriting talent. They only did one cover (I'm a Man - which is on this CTA album and a good drum solo). If you want a focus on the horn section, listen to Questions 67 & 68 (vocals by Cetera, written by Lamm and was their actual first release).

I'm with you , Ryan, FANTASTIC song, including the altro. Nick and Ty, you will appreciate the altro more as you get older.

This song is the epitome of what they were trying to do in the 80's but they never topped this one. Really tight, swinging, swaggering stuff!! Loved it when I first heard it in high school and still do.

I'm a little biased but anything Chicago in the 70's is 🔥! Terry Kath was so good and the horns - forget about it! There was a story they tell when they met Jimmy Hendrix -- he told them he loved Terry's playing! And that the horn section sounded like one instrument. They met at DePaul and were music majors. This is one of my favs by them! For some reason reminds me about going to Cubs games as a kid. You will love the Chicago rabbit trail! There is so much! ❤🎸🎺 🎷

These guys hit the rock world like a thunderbolt in the 70s when I was a kid. One of the best musical acts of the time. I've always said if you had to recommend just 3 songs to someone that had never heard these guys before that really captured the feel of them, I would say "Beginnings" and "25 or 6 to 4" and "Wishing You Were Here" would fit the bill.

POWERFUL SONG!!!!

Best guitar ever sings like the best singer ever! Wow!

The drummer(very underrated I might add) is Danny Seraphine, amazing things he's doing in this song! Plus the horn section: James Pankow on trombone, Walter Parazider on saxophone, and Lee Loghnane on trumpet all deserve mention in this and many other songs! One of my favorites is a song called Now, please react to this! Thank you!

Great reaction! Thank you. Now you must ask yourself. What comes first.... the "Introduction" or the "Beginnings". "Introduction" starts with fire then smolders at bit before erupting in a conflagration.

This remains one of my favorite all time songs. The music perfectly captures that feeling when you first fall for someone new…..it’s so exciting

THEY ARE AMERICAN LEGENDS CHICAGO IS AWESOME

Some of Chicago's other great early hits from the 1970s are "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" (1970), with Robert Lamm on lead vocals; and "Saturday in the Park" (1972) and "Feeling Stronger Every Day (1973), with Peter Cetera on lead vocals; and "Colour My World" (1970), with Terry Kath on lead vocals (a super popular slow-dance song at middle school and high school dances in the early to mid-1970s :-) ). ... Btw, Nick has the absolute best "Holy shit, that's f--king amazing" stank face around! :-)

When Terry Kath died, he took the stardust with him. The "whole Chicago sound" changed after his death. But Peter Cetera also had an incredible voice and he and Chicago made some beautiful tunes too. Peter Cetera left the band somewhere around 1985 and began his solo career which was very successful. And Jason Sheff was his replacement, here's one of his songs, in case you're interested. "Chicago - Will You Still Love Me? (Extended Version) [QHD]" Here's another song when they were "Chicago Transatlantic Authority - Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (2002 Remastered)" You guys looked like you were really enjoying [CTA] RIP: Terry Kath U R Missed🔥💔

I was 21 when CTA Chicago came out. A 19 yr old guy i worked with turned me on to them.( This album was so damned good, I ended up dating him, his taste in music was phenomenal!) My friends thought it was white boy music 🎶🎶🎶. I forced my roomie to listen. She was amazed at the powerful horns, singing, the lyrics.all good! Damn I miss those hot summer nights, dancing and partying. Loved this song still do. I'm 78 still digging on it! ,

This is one of my all time favorites. Keep going with older Chicago. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is and Color My World should be next. Great job!

Thanks guys for reacting to my very favourite Chicago song.

Robert Lamm isn’t even the best vocalist in the band, that honor goes to that amazing lead guitarist, Terry Kath. Check out Make Me Smile next (make sure to choose the extended version over the radio single edit, it has Kath’s guitar solo). Danny Seraphine goes absolutely ape on drums also! You guys will love it.

This is my FAVORITE Chicago song! I just LOOOOOOOOOOVE it!

I listen to this song all the way through. I love the percussive end.

Love the creativity, spontaneity of that early Chicago.

Got into this group - with the release of their first album - because I Love Horns. The more I listened to them the more I started to appreciate ALL of the musical/songwriting/vocal talents this group presented for listening enjoyment. Some said that a rock group with horns won't be around long - so wrong! This song, was released off their first album in 69/70, composed/lyrics/vocals by Lamm. Also off their first album are "Introduction" - which is composed to be an intro into their type of music with rock sounds containing strong melodies from a fantastic horn section. Each person in the group gets to perform a little ditty to showcase their particular talent/instrument. Song written by Kath (whom did not read music) and each vocalist gets sings a verse. Then there is "Question 67 & 68". It features 3 tempo changes and the middle musical break, normally for guitars, is ALL Horns - Fantastic. Also written by & composed by Lamm with Cetera lead vocals.

This is my favorite Chicago song. The band was amazing in its early days. If you haven’t heard Make Me Smile (sung by Terry Kath, the band’s virtuoso guitarist), check that one out.

You must hear the very first song called INTRODUCTION, total 🔥

I love Chicago's songs from the late sixties through the seventies! Try Free, I've Been Searching So Long, Just You And Me, Make Me Smile, Lowdown, so many more as well! And drummer Danny Seraphine's drumming is way too effortless!!! One of my all time favorite drummers!

This 1st album was only locally released in 1969. The hit songs were not released as singles to the mass radio markets until 1970 & '71.