Listen

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Listen" from Chicago's debut album, Chicago Transit Authority! This track is a funky, horn-driven deep cut that captures the band's raw energy in their early days. According to a 2016 review on Something Else! Reviews, "Listen" showcases multiple guitar overdubs by Terry Kath, whose gloriously raunchy and melodic solo steals the show, backed by the aggressive horn section and Danny Seraphine’s jackhammer drumming. The song is an aural documentary of the band’s bar-playing days in Chicago and Los Angeles, reflecting their hustle as openers at festivals. Fans on the site noted it as a favorite non-hit, with one commenting, “I’m surprised they never considered releasing this as a single,” given its punchy, radio-friendly strut.

Another cool tidbit comes from the 2023 Chicago & Friends: Live at 55 concerts in Atlantic City, where "Listen" was dusted off for the first time since the '70s, as shared in a Ultimate Classic Rock interview with trumpeter Lee Loughnane. The performance, featuring guest artists like Robert Randolph, highlighted how the song’s raw power still resonates. Loughnane recalled their early gigs opening for Jimi Hendrix, where chants for Hendrix drowned them out, but enough fans dug their tight, horn-heavy sound to keep them going. The band’s official Facebook page also posted about these shows, hyping the return of rarities like "Listen" to their setlist, which got fans buzzing in the comments about its gritty vibe.

Chicago started in 1967 when a group of Chicago musicians—Walter Parazaider (saxophone), Terry Kath (guitar), Danny Seraphine (drums), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), Robert Lamm (keyboards), and Peter Cetera (bass)—came together with a bold vision: to blend rock ‘n’ roll with horns, drawing from their city’s rich jazz, R&B, and blues heritage. Originally called The Big Thing, they became Chicago Transit Authority in 1968 after manager James William Guercio moved them to Los Angeles to chase a record deal. According to their bio on chicagotheband.com, the band faced rejection twice from Columbia Records before landing a contract. Their debut album, recorded in just ten days in 1969, was a double LP—a rarity for a new act—and hit No. 17 on the Billboard 200, staying on the charts for 171 weeks. A cease-and-desist from the actual Chicago Transit Authority forced the name change to Chicago, and their iconic Coca-Cola-inspired logo, designed by John Berg and Nick Fasciano, debuted on their second album.

Stay connected with Chicago through their official channels: their website at chicagotheband.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at the Chicago Band Wiki on Fandom, a treasure trove of band history and trivia. Join the Chicago Fan Club on Facebook to swap stories and celebrate the band’s legacy with fellow Zoo Freaks!