Legendary bands coming to Bethel Woods; Chicago/Earth, Wind & Fire

Posted 8/21/12

On Tuesday, September 1, two of the world’s most popular musical groups will be performing their Heart and Soul Tour at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Hailed by former President Bill Clinton as …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Legendary bands coming to Bethel Woods; Chicago/Earth, Wind & Fire

Posted

On Tuesday, September 1, two of the world’s most popular musical groups will be performing their Heart and Soul Tour at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Hailed by former President Bill Clinton as one of the “most important band’s in music since the dawn of rock and roll,” the highest-charting American Band in Billboard Magazine’s list of Top 100 Artists of all Time—Chicago—will be joining forces with Earth, Wind & Fire, which has been described as “one of the most influential and innovative contemporary music forces of the 20th Century, with a signature sound beyond category as deep as the soul of the planet.” (www.bethelwoodscenter.org)

Chicago founding member Lee Loughnane took a break during the tour to chat with The River Reporter about the band, its history and coming to Bethel Woods. Trumpeter, vocalist and flugelhorn player Loughnane is excited, to say the least. “I was 11 years old when I picked up the trumpet for the first time,” he said. “Little did I know that those horns would forever change the sound of rock and roll.” Larger than a trumpet and not quite a trombone, the flugelhorn is a unique instrument, and Loughnane’s skills are “constantly being worked on” according to the musician. “The way we formed Chicago was strictly organic; we just came together naturally,” he says of the band’s creation. “Initially, we thought we had one or two albums up our sleeve, and then we’d be back to being one of [the original] garage bands.” As the first American rock band to top the charts with 40 albums in six decades, Chicago continues to pack ‘em in wherever they appear, and their album “Chicago Transit Authority” was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2014. “This will be our fourth time playing with Earth, Wind & Fire,” he said, “and they are so much fun to be with. Playing at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival?” he adds, “Priceless.”

Earth Wind & Fire original member Ralph Johnson concurred. “Woodstock had a tremendous influence on me, the band and the trajectory of our career,” he said. “Hendrix, Sly & the Family Stone and Santana? We feel so lucky to have added to that legacy over the years.” On the 40th anniversary of the band’s album “That’s the Way of the World,” Johnson reflected, “It was our sixth studio album and the soundtrack for a film of the same name. The album spent three weeks atop the Billboard Pop Album Chart, and has contributed heavily to my ‘attitude of gratitude’ over the years. We don’t take our success for granted.” Johnson is also grateful for having met Clive Davis and his association with Verdine White, bassist for EW&F. “Were it not for these amazing musicians,” he said, “who knows what would have happened? I truly believe it was destiny.”

Combined, these two bands have sold hundreds of millions of albums worldwide, and the demand to see these legendary performers together again has been high. “One of the most exciting things about the show is when both bands perform at the end of the concert,” Chicago’s Loughnane said. “Having these 21 very talented musicians playing our greatest hits together puts the excitement level at a fever pitch. From the heart of Chicago and the soul of Earth, Wind & Fire, it is an unforgettable experience!”

For ticket availability and more information visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org. or call 866/459-2035.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here