For years fans of Chicago, the horn based ensemble rock group, have struggled with one question: how to get the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Every year the group is omitted from the induction list despite a raft of massively popular hits that are played over and over on classic oldies radio.
Now Larry David, the epitome of hip, has based a whole subplot of his HBO film “Clear History” around Chicago. The result is a soundtrack issued today on Relativity Records which includes “Saturday in the Park,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and “Colour My World.” That doesn’t even include “Beginnings,” “Feeling Stronger Every Day,” “Just You and Me,” “Wishing You Were Here,” “Make Me Smile,” or all the later, poppier hits with Peter Cetera at the center.
Cetera may be the problem. Chicago’s history sort of runs from 1969 to 1975 as the original group, and then post-that with Cetera’s syrupy sound replacing the blue eyed soul and strong brassy horns. But really, Chicago deserves induction just for its first three or four albums. Maybe the Larry David connection will help. It can’t hurt.
