Iconic music coming to Sydney stage

Chicago to end 2018 North American tour in Cape Breton

They’ve sold more than 100 million recordings and on Sept. 16, Chicago will end its 56-city 2018 North American tour at Centre 200.

“Any time we can have an iconic music act come to Centre 200, we’re glad,” said Centre 200 general manager Paul MacDonald on Wednesday. “We’re pretty excited about it.”

Formed in 1967 in their namesake city of Chicago, the band has recorded 36 albums and are best known for stellar horn arrangements and melodic rock songs, many of which have gone on to become classics.

Tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at Centre 200. Fan club members are able to purchase tickets earlier at http://www.evenko.ca/en/ events/13935/chicago/centre-200/09-16-2018.

The Sydney stop will be one of only two Atlantic Canadian concerts planned at this point; the other will be at Moncton’s Downtown Centre on Sept. 15.

The North American tour began in May but from June 13 until Aug. 12, the band is joined on stage by REO Speedwagon. However, it will just be Chicago performing in Sydney.

Those who attend will get to hear the band’s historic Chicago II album in its entirety during the first set of the concert. This is the double album that introduced the hits “25 Or 6 To 4,” “Make Me Smile,” “Wake Up Sunshine” and “Colour My World,” a song described as the top song played at weddings and proms for more than 40 years.

The second set will consist of the band’s greatest hits, making this their longest show ever.

The 10-piece band started out playing top 40 tunes but soon began writing their own material. They received one of their biggest breaks when guitar legend Jimi Hendrix saw them perform and asked them to open for him. They did a tour with him and played with Janis Joplin as well.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.