Chicago Reviews | RateItAll

Chicago

2002 American musical black comedy crime film based on the 1975 stage musical of the same name which in turn originated in the 1926 play of the same name Website

Approval Rate: 77%

77%Approval ratio

Reviews 69

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  • by

    hateital

    Sat May 04 2013

    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

  • by

    wuzupdee

    Thu Mar 14 2013

    Yes, after DEEP PURPLE

  • by

    gangdalton

    Thu Mar 07 2013

    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.

  • by

    numbah16tdhaha

    Thu Dec 20 2012

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

  • by

    dianne67

    Tue Apr 17 2012

    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.

  • by

    wtflol

    Fri Nov 18 2011

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

  • by

    70smusicfreak

    Sat Jul 16 2011

    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.

  • by

    ken_goodsmith

    Thu Jun 16 2011

    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).

  • by

    dailyhabit

    Tue Apr 19 2011

    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

  • by

    obxshark

    Fri Oct 15 2010

    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.

  • by

    dowagiac52

    Tue Sep 07 2010

    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.

  • by

    conus4cf

    Tue Aug 31 2010

    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.

  • by

    raiajaaa

    Mon Aug 09 2010

    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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • by

    philtheirish

    Thu Jul 15 2010

    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

  • by

    oldiesjock

    Fri Jun 25 2010

    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).

  • by

    marymo

    Thu May 27 2010

    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

  • by

    scafish

    Mon May 17 2010

    Too much crap on top of some decent early stuff.

  • by

    jester002

    Sun May 02 2010

    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.

  • by

    scottss

    Sat Apr 24 2010

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

  • by

    jamie_mcbain

    Mon Mar 15 2010

    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.

  • by

    rucb1alum

    Tue Feb 23 2010

    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.

  • by

    beach0905

    Thu Dec 10 2009

    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.

  • by

    fitman

    Fri Nov 13 2009

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

  • by

    audiophilephil

    Sat Oct 10 2009

    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

  • by

    metslover4life

    Wed Sep 23 2009

    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!!!!

  • by

    14carrocks

    Wed Sep 16 2009

    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.

  • by

    disgustingfats_tupidsmellyugl_ypig

    Mon Sep 07 2009

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

  • by

    lindy3953

    Sat Aug 15 2009

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

  • by

    lofidelity

    Sun May 31 2009

    25 or 6 to 4

  • by

    windfighter

    Wed May 20 2009

    Awesome city. Great outdoor parks!

  • by

    nabeb396

    Sun Apr 26 2009

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

  • by

    devasic1

    Thu Apr 23 2009

    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!

  • by

    take403

    Mon Mar 09 2009

    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"

  • by

    maxjwinters

    Fri Jan 16 2009

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

  • by

    aksalwan

    Sat Jan 10 2009

    amazing city

  • by

    faceman7381

    Tue Dec 30 2008

    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?

  • by

    zibby3cb

    Mon Dec 22 2008

    Chicago V is a classic!

  • by

    jewels061

    Mon Aug 25 2008

    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??

  • by

    katrinabena

    Sat Jul 05 2008

    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.

  • by

    steamroller3

    Fri Jul 04 2008

    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.

  • by

    bammbamm62

    Fri Jun 13 2008

    Two words: Terry Kath.

  • by

    casperguylkn

    Sun May 25 2008

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

  • by

    exp_chiefs

    Tue Apr 01 2008

    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.

  • by

    travelerdiogen_es

    Sun Mar 30 2008

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

  • by

    fmflip15

    Tue Mar 11 2008

    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.

  • by

    pesky143

    Sun Mar 02 2008

    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.

  • by

    ceciljaymz

    Thu Feb 07 2008

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

  • by

    detroitdiezel

    Wed Jan 30 2008

    They should have been inducted years ago.

  • by

    caphillsea77

    Thu May 31 2007

    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.

  • by

    ajnm38a0

    Mon Mar 26 2007

    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