Sunday, April 28th, marks the 55th anniversary of the release of “Chicago Transit Authority,” the debut album by the band we came to know simply as Chicago. The two-LP set reached No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and was eventually certified double-platinum, launching the singles “Questions 67 and 68,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Beginnings.”
The band was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1970, while the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014 for its 45th anniversary.
Chicago shortened its name after the album’s release rather than facing legal threats from the actual Chicago Transit Authority in its home town. The band has continued ever since and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. It also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Founding members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane and James Pankow continue to lead Chicago, which will be touring this summer with Earth, Wind & Fire. Tour dates can be found at chicagotheband.com.
Trumpeter Loughnane reflected on the “Chicago Transit Authority” anniversary for us, saying: