Putting together Chicago's Finest

MANILA, Philippines - I’ve been a big Chicago fan ever since that rainy day in the late 60’s that DZRJ premiered their first album “Chicago Transit Authority”. Through four decades, I’ve tracked their progress, bought their albums and watched countless performances at Caesar’s Palace and Stardust Casinos in Las Vegas and the Greek Theater in Hollywood in the 80’s and 90’s.

Just like many groups who have managed to be together for decades, Chicago has gone through some personnel changes. The current Chicago line-up is still led by original front man Robert Lamm, including the original horn section, plus newer members led by Jason Scheff. Terry Kath (who accidentally shot himself dead) was the first to be replaced, followed by Peter Cetera who pursued a solo career, then Danny Seraphim the drummer who now leads a band aptly named CTA- California Transit Authority.

In October of 2008, I met original Buckinghams vocalist, arranger, saxophonist and keyboard player Marty Grebb. In one of our conversations, he mentioned that before joining Chicago, he and Peter Cetera founded a band in the ’60s called The Exceptions then the Buckinghams and when it split up, reunited with Peter in Chicago. I got excited about this and asked him, “Why not perform a couple of Chicago songs (Make Me Smile & Beginnings) at The Buckinghams’ concert?” He agreed.

When I heard him perform Make Me Smile, I decided to bring him back to perform an entire concert of Chicago hits in 2009. Chicago was only here once in the early ’90s and I know the fans would love to hear their favorites being performed again. Since I was already in a Chicago mood, I thought, why not take it a notch higher and search for ex members to reunite for the show?

Easier said than done. To start with, Chicago didn’t have a lot of ex members. The other problem was that most ex members either have solo careers or are current members of other bands.

The task of reuniting fell upon Marty’s hands. I’ll have to admit that he did a good job. Not only did he assemble a capable core of ex members, he also managed to make the group record songs for the radio/TV promo. Mind you, these people haven’t played or interacted together in decades!

What a fine line-up of ex Chicago members: Marty Grebb on keyboard/sax/vocals, Chris Pinnick on lead guitar, Kenny Cetera on guitar/vocals and the bassist/vocalist who have worked with Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, and Tim Scott, an original member of Tower of Power.

Since they are the finest in their field of specialization, I called the group “Chicago’s Finest” because they really are in the “Finest” category.

In early March, I met the group in Beverly Hills to discuss the aspects of the concert.

I found out that Chris Pinnick does a lot of recordings and session work for the gods of the rock world at his co-owned digital studio in California, writes scores for movies and performs live every now and then. Marty Grebb is still one of the most accomplished musicians in the industry. After leaving Chicago, he has had collaborations with Leon Russell, Greg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, David Sanborn and even John Lennon. To date, he has released several Jazz albums and is a doting father to Nika and Anna. Marty was also gracious enough to drive me around LA for two days. Kenny Cetera is the hunk of the group. He comes from the musical Cetera Family that includes his brother Peter and Tim. All three brothers have one time or another performed or recorded with Chicago. Kenny has several solo gigs in April in California before flying to Manila. Tim Scott has performed and collaborated with almost all my rock heroes including Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills. Tim is also a producer and arranger. I like Tim because we both share a passion for food. Over a nice Nouvelle Cuisine lunch at the trendy Simon LA, we agreed on an all-hit Chicago repertoire that included Beginnings, Questions 67 & 68, I’m a Man, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Make Me Smile (complete version), Colour My World, Wake Up Sunshine, Happy Man, Call on Me, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, Saturday in the Park, 25 or 6 to 4, If You Leave Me Now, etc.

Anna Grebb, whom I invited to open all Philippine shows, is a young singing sensation in California and Chicago. She has been performing since grade school and is an excellent songwriter.

There will be two shows in Manila, May 7, Thursday, dinner-show at Hyatt Ballroom, Hyatt Hotel and Casino; and on May 8, Friday, at Aliw Theatre, CCP Complex (tickets now on sale at Ticketnet outlets and all SM Outlets. Log on to www.ticketnet.com or call 911-5555); and on May 9 at Victoria Ballroom Cebu Park Lane International Hotel, Cebu City, and May 10 at the Central Bank Convention in Davao City.

Chicago’s Finest is a Steve O’ Neal/GMA Records presentation, sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines the official carrier, Hyatt Hotel & Casino the official residence, Manila Bulletin, Chrysler the official transport, Business World, PCSO, Baranggay LS, GMA7, IFM and RJ100FM (the official concert station).