Late Nights, Long Rides, and Legendary Songs: Lee Loughnane on What Really Keeps Chicago Going.

April 3rd, 2025

After nearly six decades on the road, the legendary rock band Chicago shows no signs of slowing down. With a packed touring schedule, a long-standing Las Vegas residency, and a fresh appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the band’s legacy continues to thrive. Founding member and trumpeter Lee Loughnane opened up about the band’s staying power, their connection with fans, and the joy of performing iconic hits night after night.

58 Years of Touring and Brotherhood

Staying together for nearly six decades is a feat most bands can only dream of. When asked how Chicago has managed to keep the show on the road for 58 years, Loughnane gave credit where it’s due.

“It’s got to be the music,” he said. “That’s the only constant we’ve had this entire time.”

Despite lineup changes over the years, three original members—Loughnane among them—still keep the spirit of Chicago alive. “When we first got together, we had six guys, so half the band is still part of Chicago today. That’s pretty much unprecedented.”

The band’s music, as he puts it, has “weathered the storm of time,” resonating with audiences across generations.

Life on the Road: From Austin to Louisiana

With a relentless tour schedule, it’s no surprise that the band often wakes up unsure of what city they’re in. “All the time,” Loughnane laughed. “I pretty much did that today.”

The band had just come off a 10-hour bus ride from Austin, Texas, across Louisiana, continuing their seemingly never-ending journey of live performances. But don’t expect deep strategy meetings on those rides—according to Loughnane, they’re more likely to reflect on the previous night’s show than to plan ahead.

“We might talk about the show we just played. The audiences are receiving it very well. We try to play every song like we’re doing it for the first time. That’s really the intent.”

And for the newer members of the band? They grew up with Chicago’s music and bring their own energy to it—sometimes even discovering they’d been mishearing a chord or lyric all these years.

A Vegas Legacy

Chicago’s long-running Las Vegas residency at The Venetian is yet another chapter in their storied career. This year marks their ninth consecutive year performing there, with a tenth already confirmed.

“It pretty much starts off our touring season,” said Loughnane. “We’ve played all of the hotels in Vegas, starting with the Aladdin in the ‘70s. That just closed a couple of years ago. So yeah, we’ve stood the test of time in Vegas too.”

In fact, Loughnane credits the band with helping change the perception of Las Vegas as a place only for older acts. “We were the first rock and roll band to come in and break open the new territory.”

A Brush with Kelly Clarkson

Recently, the band performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, lighting up the stage with classics like “Saturday in the Park” and “25 or 6 to 4.”

“It was great,” he said. “She was very fun to be with. It was a great show to do and we had a lot of fun.”

Misheard Lyrics and Musical Evolution

With timeless music comes timeless confusion—Loughnane laughed when asked if fans have ever misinterpreted lyrics.

“Pretty sure some tracks have been mistakenly sung,” he admitted. “Even ‘Call on Me’—they sing a couple words different than what I actually wrote. But honestly, it’s an honor to have people singing and remembering your songs at all.”

Accolades and Recognition

Chicago’s influence on music hasn’t gone unnoticed. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award—a testament to their enduring impact.

As for their Hall of Fame speeches?

“We sort of made it up on the fly,” Loughnane said. “Nobody wrote anything down.”

Fitting for a band that has always followed its own rhythm.

58 years in, Chicago has become a musical institution, still fueled by passion, camaraderie, and a deep love for the songs that shaped generations. As Loughnane and his bandmates continue their journey, one thing is certain: the music plays on, and Chicago is still hitting all the right notes.

Check out their show at Hollywood, FL’s Hard Rock Live on April 12th.