Chicago

People often forget just how massively popular Chicago were in the 1970s. They released an album every single year that decade and scored huge hits with "Saturday in the Park," "Old Days," "If You Leave Me Now," "Call on Me" and many others. When they launched an arena tour in 1973, Bruce Springsteen was opening for them. The hits continued through the 1980s, but they never quite recovered from singer Peter Cetera's departure in 1985. They've been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 1995, but have yet to appear on a single ballot. Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-10-bands-who-should-enter-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-in-2014-20130424/9-chicago-0277416#ixzz2SMOCVewt Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

Yes, after DEEP PURPLE

I was never a great fan of Chicago. But jesus, look at the body of work. Pure politics. this group should have been an automatic.

If you play their music backwards it contains Satanic messages... don't mind me, I saw that in a movie.

Chicago had such a tight line up through their early years and produced 7 excellent charting albums in this time period - most of which were doubles. The musicianship was impeccable and the style was very unique. They should not be left out just because they chose to do things differently from the mainstream or because their sound didn't catch on because no one could imitate them.

if i cant fit a band on my front porch then thats too many for my hall.

When I toured the Hall last week, I couldn't believe this band was not an inductee. I expect them to be in in 2012.

I know actual musical talent is of little interest to the RARHOF, but these guys were brilliantcomposers and performers. Hard to think of any group that so seemlessly incorporated horns into a truly original rock sound, and Kath was a guitarist of amazing abilities (and, while he died way too early, was with them through somethinhg like 8 albums). Alice Cooper is in the RARHOF and Chicago isn't.....(shakes head).

According to Billboard chart statistics, Chicago is second only to the Beach Boys as the most successful American rock band of all time, in terms of both albums and singles. Judged by album sales, as certified by the R.I.A.A., the band does not rank quite so high, but it is still among the Top Ten best-selling U.S. groups ever. If such statements of fact surprise, that's because Chicago has been singularly underrated since the beginning of its long career, both because of its musical ambitions (to the musicians, rock is only one of several styles of music to be used and blended, along with classical, jazz, R&B, and pop) and because of its refusal to emphasize celebrity over the music. The result has been that fundamentalist rock critics have consistently failed to appreciate its music and that its media profile has always been low. At the same time, however, Chicago has succeeded in the ways it intended to. From the beginning of its emergence as a national act, it has been able to fill... Read more

An absolute travesty that this band has been completely ignored. Go back and listen to their first 5 albums, and tell me that sound is not fresher than ANYTHING being put out there today.

This is such an oversight that I can't believe we're still waiting for Chicago to be inducted. Their first album stands out and the 6 albums after, too. They are so deserving of being inducted that I don't understand absents. Let's get them inducted and soon.

The weather can be brutal, especially in the winter. Chicago has some of the best tourist attractions and the finest restaurants and hotels. The city has statues of Harry Carey and Michael Jordan in case anyone likes sports.

scott muni,wnew fm nyc, the greatest rock d.j.said it best,success speaks for it-self CHICAGO: terry kath, peter cetera, danny seraphine, robert lamm, jimmy pankow, walt parazaider, lee loughlin, any questions? pound for pound this line-up can hold it's own with any rock band on the planet, CHICAGO- feeling stronger every day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How ridiculous that they're not in when you look at the inductees who no one has ever heard of, or who were inducted after Chicago was eligible but unquestionably shouldn't be inducted before Chicago. Remember, this is supposed to be the "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame. Here's a partial list: Never heard of : Hank Ballard, Ruth Brown, Little Willie John, Solomon Burke, The Moonglows, Inducted after (key word "after") Chicago was eligible but just shouldn't be inducted before (key word "before") Chicago: The Allman Bros, Al Green, Buffalo Springfield, Parliament - Funkadelics, Gene Vincent, Staple Singers, The Flamingos, Ritchie Valens, Isaac Hayes, Gene Pitney, Ramones, The Dells, The O'Jays, The Pretenders, Percy Sledge, Miles Davis, Sex Pistols, The Ronnettes, Patti Smith?, Leonrad Cohen, The Ventures, Run-DMC, Bobby Womack, ABBA?, Jimmy Cliff, The Stooges. And I'm being nice. While success shouldn't be the only criteria taken into account when choosing the members, the fact that Chi... Read more

Write your Congressman...stage a sit in at Carnegie Hall...start a hunger strike -- no more Chicago-style deep dish pizza -- until these pioneers of jazz rock are inducted into the HOF. How can a group that still sells out concerts after 40 years and paved the way for so much of the good rock n' roll of the 70's and 80's not already be a member? It just doesn't make sense. I'm not going to the HOF or Cleveland again until this travesty of justice is righted! (Was that last sentence a little over the top? Sorry. I get worked up, sometimes).

They are not only successful, but a legend. Their music is legendary and doesn't sound like the same song over and over. Style varies. No other band performs like they have continuously for over 40 years and has a following of fans from the age of 10 to 90. They are true musicians! not just a group that got lucky with some hit songs

Too much crap on top of some decent early stuff.

I guess this is another WTF moment for me. These people should have been in years ago. What astounds me is that you create another genre of music and don't get in to the HOF. How in the hell do you let Madonna and her cone tits into the HOF and ignore true music pioneers.

One word why Chicago should be in.....ABBA

They should be in there one day. Yes, I am aware that their work from the 70's, is liked a lot more, than their music, from the 80's, which some consider middle of the group, and sappy, but still there should be in there some day, preferably before this century ends.

Chicago (60's and 70's) had a bigger impact on music than critics care (or like) to admit. They've certainly made more consistently good music than 7/8 of the acts in the Hall of Fame. The horn section is perpetually magnificent. And the rhythm work of Cetera, Seraphine, Lamm and Kath was unstoppable. Terry Kath is an unsung genius. Is it a crime to tour and make records after some members leave due to 'artistic differences' and in one case, death? I don't think so. Or do you just not get in because you cheesed off Jann Wenner? This band - at least on the albums produced by JWG - needs to be in the RRHOF. Hell, JWG needs to be in, too. And I'm no huge fan of JWG, the person. He strikes me as an arrogant, manipulative SOB but he knew how to make the band sound great.

There is no way this band should not be in the Hall. Basically created jazz/rock fusion genre of rock and roll. One of the best selling bands ever and widely played for over 30 years on radio. I don't know if the industry feels they "sold out", but I'm tired of hearing that about commercially successful bands. The musicians are a highly talented and musically educated. Maybe instead of pinheads voting, they should poll producers, composers and musicians who have played their compositions to judge their Hall of Fame worthiness.

Five stars because they're famous. Couldn't stand their annoying records myself, but who am I to stand in the way of popularity?

First of all, you posted the wrong photos of the band. WHOEVER POSTED THE BAND PHOTO ABOVE, PLEASE REPLACE IT WITH THE PHOTO OF THE ORIGINAL BAND (1969-1977). That's not the Chicago lineup that we are hoping to be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They have nothing to do with the real Chicago legacy. The real legacy of Chicago came from the Terry Kath -era Chicago (1969-1977) when they were recording for Columbia Records and produced by James William Guercio. The original Chicago lineup that deserves to be inducted are Terry Kath (guitar/vocals), Robert Lamm (keyboards/vocals), James Panlow (trombone), Peter Cetera (bass/vocals), Danny Seraphine (drums), Lee Loughnane (trumpet/flugelhorn), and Walt Parazaider (woodwinds/flute). The current lineup who are still performing but not making any memorable albums since the late 80's does not do any good for "Chicago". They just drag down Chicago's chances of being inducted. Yes, it's true that the current incarnation of the band wh... Read more

Chicago should have been in years ago. A great combination of hits, musicianship, and longevity. The RRHOF needs to get it together and put them in ASAP!!!!

ABSOLUTELY they should be inducted! Now they let in these anything-but-rock artists such as Grandmaster Flash into the ROCK HOF? Yes, Chicago should be inducted ASAP, and have a one time reunion with Cetera taking the vocals for a song or two on the night they go in.

Adult contemporary HOF, yes. Rock HOF, no way.

Absolutely. These guys revolutionized the horn section in Rock. And they've paid their dues.

25 or 6 to 4

Awesome city. Great outdoor parks!

Their longevity and their early recordings were ahead of their time. It's not everybody's music but this is not a popularity contest.

Despite their afwul 80s and 90s material, this band should already be in based on their groundbreaking 60s and 70s work which along with Blood Sweat and Tears helped fuse jazz and rock together and pave the way for Steely Dan, who are already in!

I had written the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year suggesting their induction. In the early days, Chicago was one of the most innovative rock bands out there. They actually came before Blood, Sweat and Tears, though BST's album came 1st. Though 2 key members are no longer in Chicago (the late, great Terry Kath and Peter Cetera), they continue to make music to this day. One guy said they were uninteresting and unoriginal. I wonder if the guy ever heard their version of Steve Winwood's "I'm A Man" the entire "Ballet For A Girl In Buchanon" or "Dialouge Parts 1 and 2." If not, that's his loss. Anyways, that's all I need to defend this band. We want to see some progress in 2010 for Chicago! "We can make it happen"

This group has a unique and accessible sound, and Peter Cetera is one of the top 5 rock singers of all time!

amazing city

They made an entire musical tradition. How can they NOT be in? I give the fact that since Peter left they were never the same, but I mean REALLY?

Chicago V is a classic!

It is hard for me to say, but Chicago is a great city. My ex lives there and since he moved there I've been jealous. I'm from Phoenix, and yes I know its not as exciting as Chicago, but why did he have to move there. I really like Chicago, and while I was there a couple of months ago I could picture myself living there someday. Now, I must find another city thats better than Chicago. But where??

I grew up on 80's music and listened to a lot of Chicago. I like them fine but they are not Hall of Fame material.

Maybe I just don't know their music as well as I should but what exactly is original about Chicago? Cheesy songs and mediocre musicianship. They definitely don't belong.

Two words: Terry Kath.

Terry Kath era Chicago should be reason enough why they should already be in. The Rock Band With Horns, indeed.

Chicago has been around for over 40 years now!The 60's and 70's list of songs was ground breaking.  In the 80's in the david foster era, Chicago did ALOT with Love songs and ballads while mixing them in with some rock as well.  in the 90's and 2k's, they have toured almost every year to sold out houses and venues around the world and contine to be a STRONG vegas act that draws in fans old and new.Both my daughters Love chicago and keep turning on there friends to the wide variety of songs and the Unique sounds of the horns that you only hear in a handful of songs today.Why they are NOT in the RnRHoF is BEYOND me?  Much lesser srtists like have been inducted when were 1 hit wonders?It is an injustice for Chicago to be left out.

One of the singularly LEAST unique groups of all time. Every song to me sounds the same. And forgettable.

How can they not be included in the Hall of Fame.  They were on top in the 1970's and 1980's and are still around today.  Although they had numerous hits, their early stuff was groundbreaking.  How many other bands merged the big band sound with rock and roll, prior to them?  In the baseball hall of fame there is some sort of criteria to make it.  The subjectiveness used for the Music Hall of Fame has no rhyme or reason.  Grand Master Flash is more of an influence on music then Chicago?  Chic? Get real.

They have been around for over thirty years and still fill the arenas all over the world. Yet, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame manages to induct Grandmaster Flash. I couldn't, off of the top of my head, recite too many of his "rock and roll" hits. There is a very blatant conspiracy that we don't know about that is keeping Chicago out of the Hall. I would love to know what it is.

Chicago Rocks, unique with its blend of rock and roll and blues kicks it up a notch

They should have been inducted years ago.

Chicago is probably the best all american urban experience one can have. Having been a few times just the thought of it excites me with a skyline that will knock your socks off, awesome food, good shopping, lots of world class museums, amazing architecture, beautiful parks and a dramtic setting on the Lake Michigan shoreline. The people of Chicago are great and I love this city, looking forward to going back again.

My favorite megacity! Chicago is huge and meets all my criteria for a big city. Proximity to Water, great culture, distinct 4 seasons, vibrant city center.  One thing that perplexes me though is why so many Chicagoans are fleeing to Phoenix??? it can't all be weather related