By Frank “Smokin” Truat
When I bought albums back in the 1970’s, I would listen to the hits and examine the album cover and liner notes all while listening to the album. It was one of the only ways that I had to learn about the band and the making of that album. Before the days of the internet, music videos and on-demand videos on our cell phones, we rarely were able to see our favorite performers do their thing. Some of the artists appeared on television entertainment shows and if we were lucky, performed nearby so we could see them in concert. Magazines gave us a peek into their lives, but for the most part, that album was our biggest connection to that artist. Some of the albums could be opened and gave us more all the juice on our favorite artists. Some of the paper liners covering the album had the lyrics of the songs. It was an experience not only for our ears, but for our eyes as well.
Of course, what we saw and read was what the artist and their production people wanted us to see. The more albums they made and the more we bought, the more we followed their career. But truly, it was all about the music. If the music sounded great, then everything was great with the band, right? Well, we know better today as many of these artists have been looking back over their careers, writing books and releasing documentaries of how it all began. What seemed to be a fun, easy ride in most cases was far from the truth. With the rise of fame and glory came many obstacles like band members wanting to go a different direction, disputes over splitting profits and of course drugs and alcohol. Being on the road and trying to cope with these problems caused many bands to split up.
Last weekend, while watching the documentary about the group “Chicago,” a group that I thought I knew just about everything about showed me that I really didn’t know it all and not the real inside workings and relationships with the members. I now have a much better understanding of how difficult it became to keep the band intact, yet, somehow most of the original band is still together today, more than fifty years after their forming. They too lost members like Terry Kath and eventually Peter Cetera, did drugs and eventually came out the other side intact with a few original members. Their passion to keep going on being the best they can be was amazing. They have seen it all, only to survive and be one of the greatest rock bands of all time. If you check our website WTBQ.com there is a photo on the slider of Chicago and little ole me and I actually look like I am part of the band, wishful thinking. I can’t wait to catch them on their next tour and can’t wait to watch another bands’ video anthology!
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