Chicago X
Encyclopedia
Chicago X is the tenth album
by American
rock
band Chicago
and was released in 1976. The album is notable for its soulfulness, and it ended up being a turning point in the band's career thanks to one song.
After recording Chicago VIII
in a state of exhaustion, Chicago didn't return to the studio until the spring of 1976, feeling refreshed after a substantial break away. While making Chicago X, the band felt satisfied that they were making a solid record, yet the feeling — especially with producer James William Guercio — was that there might be a paucity of hits on the album. Robert Lamm
's "Another Rainy Day in New York City", Terry Kath
's "Once or Twice" and James Pankow
's "You Are on My Mind" were strong enough to be singles, but Guercio was keen to include Peter Cetera
's new composition, "If You Leave Me Now
", on Chicago X. Although the others really liked the song, they felt that, as a romantic ballad with strings, it was completely out of place stylistically (a observation with which most reviewers agreed) and should not be allotted a place on the album. The song was one of the very last to be completed and, according to reports, was very nearly left off the final product. Band member Walter Parazaider has been quoted as saying he heard the song on the radio while cleaning his pool and initially thought "it sounded like McCartney," not realizing it was his own band's work.
However, as producer, Guercio overruled the band and included it, and when it became the band's first #1 hit in the US and UK, it completely changed the public's perception of Chicago, leading to more demand for Cetera and ballads. Lamm and Kath, in particular, were uncomfortable with this turn of events, and it led to a growing dissatisfaction with Guercio's control over the band, contributing to his impending 1977 dismissal.
Chicago X was released in June 1976 to a receptive audience, especially after "If You Leave Me Now" had become such a big worldwide hit, giving Chicago their first UK chart album in years (#21), though it missed #1 in the US, resting at #3. The album is also notable for the lead vocal debut of trombonist James Pankow. Different band singers tried "You Are On My Mind", but Pankow felt they weren't nailing it the way he heard it, so producer Guercio said, "You sing it," and that effort landed on the final album. Trumpet player Lee Loughnane also contributed a lead vocal for his song "Together Again", and both Pankow and Loughnane would contribute lead vocals for the Chicago XI follow-up. "You Get It Up" was sung by the entire band in unison — thus the album's atypical crediting of Seraphine, Parazaider & de Oliveira with "vocals".
In early 1977, Chicago X would win three Grammy award
s; two were for "If You Leave Me Now" and one for John Berg's trademark artwork, which resembled a Hershey bar this time out. They were also nominated for Album of the Year, but lost to Stevie Wonder
's classic Songs in the Key of Life
.
In 2002, Chicago X was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with an early rendition of Chicago XIV
s "I'd Rather Be Rich" by Lamm as well as Kath's "Your Love's An Attitude" — both cut in 1975 — as bonus tracks.
For the summer 2007 tour, the band included "You Are on My Mind" with Pankow again on vocals — the first time this song has been performed live since 1976–1977.
Additional personnel
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
and was released in 1976. The album is notable for its soulfulness, and it ended up being a turning point in the band's career thanks to one song.
After recording Chicago VIII
Chicago VIII
Chicago VIII is the eighth album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1975. Following the experimental jazz/pop stylings of Chicago VII, the band returned to a more streamlined sound on this follow-up....
in a state of exhaustion, Chicago didn't return to the studio until the spring of 1976, feeling refreshed after a substantial break away. While making Chicago X, the band felt satisfied that they were making a solid record, yet the feeling — especially with producer James William Guercio — was that there might be a paucity of hits on the album. Robert Lamm
Robert Lamm
Robert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
's "Another Rainy Day in New York City", Terry Kath
Terry Kath
Terry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
's "Once or Twice" and James Pankow
James Pankow
James Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
's "You Are on My Mind" were strong enough to be singles, but Guercio was keen to include Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
's new composition, "If You Leave Me Now
If You Leave Me Now
"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976....
", on Chicago X. Although the others really liked the song, they felt that, as a romantic ballad with strings, it was completely out of place stylistically (a observation with which most reviewers agreed) and should not be allotted a place on the album. The song was one of the very last to be completed and, according to reports, was very nearly left off the final product. Band member Walter Parazaider has been quoted as saying he heard the song on the radio while cleaning his pool and initially thought "it sounded like McCartney," not realizing it was his own band's work.
However, as producer, Guercio overruled the band and included it, and when it became the band's first #1 hit in the US and UK, it completely changed the public's perception of Chicago, leading to more demand for Cetera and ballads. Lamm and Kath, in particular, were uncomfortable with this turn of events, and it led to a growing dissatisfaction with Guercio's control over the band, contributing to his impending 1977 dismissal.
Chicago X was released in June 1976 to a receptive audience, especially after "If You Leave Me Now" had become such a big worldwide hit, giving Chicago their first UK chart album in years (#21), though it missed #1 in the US, resting at #3. The album is also notable for the lead vocal debut of trombonist James Pankow. Different band singers tried "You Are On My Mind", but Pankow felt they weren't nailing it the way he heard it, so producer Guercio said, "You sing it," and that effort landed on the final album. Trumpet player Lee Loughnane also contributed a lead vocal for his song "Together Again", and both Pankow and Loughnane would contribute lead vocals for the Chicago XI follow-up. "You Get It Up" was sung by the entire band in unison — thus the album's atypical crediting of Seraphine, Parazaider & de Oliveira with "vocals".
In early 1977, Chicago X would win three Grammy award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s; two were for "If You Leave Me Now" and one for John Berg's trademark artwork, which resembled a Hershey bar this time out. They were also nominated for Album of the Year, but lost to Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's classic Songs in the Key of Life
Songs in the Key of Life
Songs in the Key of Life is the 13th album by American recording artist Stevie Wonder, released September 28, 1976, on Motown Records. It was the culmination of his "classic period" albums. An ambitious double LP with a 4-song bonus EP, Songs in the Key of Life became among the best-selling and...
.
In 2002, Chicago X was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with an early rendition of Chicago XIV
Chicago XIV
Chicago XIV is the 14th album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1980. Recorded at a time of waning interest in the band, Chicago XIV remains one of Chicago's poorest selling albums and was a commercial flop...
s "I'd Rather Be Rich" by Lamm as well as Kath's "Your Love's An Attitude" — both cut in 1975 — as bonus tracks.
For the summer 2007 tour, the band included "You Are on My Mind" with Pankow again on vocals — the first time this song has been performed live since 1976–1977.
Track listing
- "Once or Twice" (Terry Kath) – 3:01 (lead singer: Terry Kath)
- "You Are on My Mind" (James Pankow) – 3:24 (lead singer: James Pankow)
- "Skin Tight" (Pankow) – 3:20 (lead singer: Peter Cetera)
- "If You Leave Me NowIf You Leave Me Now"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976....
" (Peter Cetera) – 3:58 (lead singer: Peter Cetera) - "Together Again" (Lee Loughnane) – 3:53 (lead singer: Lee Loughnane)
- "Another Rainy Day in New York CityAnother Rainy Day in New York City"Another Rainy Day in New York City" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago X . The first single released from that album, it reached #32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and it was a #2 hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
" (Robert Lamm) – 3:03 (lead singer: Peter Cetera) - "Mama Mama" (Cetera) – 3:31 (lead singer: Peter Cetera)
- "Scrapbook" (Lamm) – 3:28 (lead singer: Robert Lamm)
- "Gently I'll Wake You" (Lamm) - 3:36 (lead singer: Robert Lamm)
- "You Get It Up" (Lamm) – 3:34 (lead singers: Chicago)
- "Hope for Love" (Kath) – 3:04 (lead singer: Terry Kath)
Personnel
Chicago- Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Laudir de Oliveira - percussion, vocals
- Terry KathTerry KathTerry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Robert LammRobert LammRobert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals - Lee LoughnaneLee LoughnaneLee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
- trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, vocals - James PankowJames PankowJames Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
- tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
, vocals - Walter ParazaiderWalter ParazaiderWalter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
- woodwinds, vocals - Danny SeraphineDanny SeraphineDaniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals
Additional personnel
- David J. WolinskiHawk WolinskiDavid J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
- pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and mellotronMellotronThe Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
on "Hope For Love" - James William Guercio - acoustic guitar and bass on "If You Leave Me Now"; guitar on "Hope For Love"
- Othello Molineaux - steel drums on "Another Rainy Day in New York City"
- Leroy Williams - steel drums on "Another Rainy Day in New York City"
- Jimmie HaskellJimmie HaskellJimmie Haskell born Sheridan Pearlman 1936 in Brooklyn, New York is a prolific American composer and arranger for a variety of popular singers and motion pictures.-Biography:...
- string and french horn orchestration on "If You Leave Me Now"; string conductor on "Gently I'll Wake You" - Rudolph Trulli - tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, backing vocals on 'If You Leave Me Now'
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Pop Albums | 3 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Another Rainy Day in New York City | Pop Singles | 32 |
| 1976 | Another Rainy Day in New York City | Adult Contemporary | 2 |
| 1976 | If You Leave Me Now | Pop Singles | 1 |
| 1976 | If You Leave Me Now | Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| 1977 | You Are on My Mind | Pop Singles | 49 |