Chicago 'Eight' great - 'America needs them'

This article appeared in The Cleveland Press on 4/4/75:

To paraphrase their latest smash single - "Harry Truman" - "America needs Chicago."

Chicago "Eight" is great.

It wouldn't surprise me - or anyone else - to see Chicago "Eighty." This super group has been getting better with each album since 1969, and happily there is no end in sight.

Chicago might be "Wild About Harry" (pun intended), but America is even wilder about Chicago.

Every time this groups performs in concert it's a sellout. And when they perform on television, their albums sell at an unbelievable rate.

For example, when Chicago "previewed" their eighth album in a New Year's Eve TV special, each of their seven previous gold albums (sales of $1 million) went back on the best-seller charts.

Columbia reports an unprecedented demand for the new album, John Kostick, Columbia's Cleveland-Pittsburgh promotion manager, said "the stores can't keep the albums in stock. It shipped gold, and will easily be their biggest album yet.

And no wonder. The album is loaded with fine music. While maintaining its distinguished trademarked sound,Ê Chicago explores new areas and as usual comes up with brilliant results.

Without taking anything away from the hit single - which obviously is loved by all - Chicago has at least three other potential singles in the album that are as strong or stronger than "Harry."

Through Kostick's enthusiastic promotion, "Old Days" already is getting nearly as much AM and FM air play in this area as "Harry." The sensational harmonies - vocal and instrumental - make this rocker a natural for, the next single.

"Long Time No See" is another boogie tune that could make it big as a solo, and so could "Never Been In Love Before."

Chicago is so good, that most fans can't wait until they release a new album. The enthusiasts rush out and buy the group's single, knowing full well that it will be included in their new album.

"That's entertainment, and boy do we need it now". Seriously, America needs Chicago. The group is a sure cure for the blahs that most of us are suffering from now because of the economy, weather or whatever.

Incidentally, there is a departure in the traditional Chicago album covers on "Eight." Besides their easily-recognizable logo there is a photo of a Cardinal.

The logo and red bird also are featured on an "iron-on" patch that can be applied to T-shirts or other garments. The patch and a humorous poster of the group is included with the album.

Chicago has been the rulers of "big-band rock" since 1972. The group's eighth album strengthens their rule.