New Rock Hall Members Chicago Get Unique Reissues

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As newly minted members of a fairly exclusive club, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Chicago are seeing some of their extensive catalog being reissued in a lavish manner. Rhino Entertainment has scheduled Chicago Quadio, which their announcement describes as “a new boxed set that includes quadraphonic and stereo mixes in high resolution 192/24 DTS-HD Master Audio on nine Blu-ray audio discs.” Whew!

Translation: Rhino has remastered the band’s first eight studio albums – which they released annually from 1969 through 1976 – in both the original quadrophonic and stereo mix on each disc, and so that the quadrophonic mix will play on surround sound systems. The set also includes Chicago IX (Chicago’s Greatest Hits).

The Chicago Quadio box set will be available on June 17 and comes in a rigid two-piece box. The albums are presented in sleeves that replicate the original release down to the last detail, including mini posters. Among their many Top 10 hits during this era are “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park” and “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.”

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On those early albums, the band was led by guitarist Terry Kath, keyboardist Robert Lamm, bassist Peter Cetera, drummer Danny Seraphine and Chicago’s signature horn section: trumpeter, Lee Loughnane; trombonist, James Pankow; and saxophonist Walt Parazaider.

Here’s the band during what some have called their jazzy, live peak. This performance at Tanglewood in 1970 features a blistering guitar solo by Terry Kath.

Also, on May 6, vinyl specialty label Friday Music is releasing Chicago VIII as part of their Chicago 180 gram audiophile vinyl series, now totaling 12 titles. It’s a limited anniversary edition that includes the original LP cover in a first-time gatefold style featuring the rare poster artwork now included as part of the inside gatefold. Chicago VIII includes the hits “Old Days” and “Harry Truman.”

Chicago are the highest charting American band in Billboard‘s Hot 200 All-Time Top Artists, earning the #9 spot. The group’s extensive accomplishments include: 11 #1 singles, five consecutive #1 albums, and record sales in excess of 100 million.

Just last year, Rhino released Chicago: The Studio Albums 1969-1978 (Vol 1) and The Studio Albums: 1979-2008 (Vol 2). Each set contains 10 remastered albums along with bonus tracks that, all combined, span the 40-year career of one of the most prolific and successful classic rock bands ever.

Chicago begins an extensive tour on May 22. Click here for tickets.