Band’s Concert in Bethlehem Part of 50th Consecutive Year of Touring

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Chicago, celebrating their 50th consecutive year of touring, will headline one of the largest music festivals in the nation when they perform, along with special guest Devon Gilfillian, at Musikfest on Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance at the festival’s Sands Steel Stage are $39-$69 and are on sale at www.musikfest.org and 610-332-3378.

Hailed as one of the “most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era” by former President Bill Clinton, this legendary rock and roll band came in at No. 9, the highest charting American band, in Billboard Magazine’s recent list of the 200 Greatest Artists of All Time. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, the group has had Top 40 albums in six decades, with dozens of hits including “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday In The Park,” ”Beginnings,” “Just You ‘N’ Me,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “Hard Habit To Break” and “Baby, What A Big Surprise.”

Chicago’s lifetime achievements include a GRAMMY Award, multiple American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Chicago street dedicated in their honor and keys to and proclamations from an impressive list of U.S. cities. The band’s record sales have topped the 100 million mark and include 21 Top 10 singles, five consecutive number-one albums, 11 number-one singles and 5 gold singles. An incredible 25 of their 36 albums have been certified platinum, and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards.

Chicago’s lineup includes original band members Robert Lamm on keyboards and vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet and vocals, James Pankow on trombone and Walt Parazaider on woodwinds, as well as Jeff Coffey on bass and vocals, Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar and vocals, Lou Pardini on keyboards and vocals and Walfredo Reyes, Jr. on percussion. Lamm and Pankow, who wrote such hits as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday In The Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” and “Make Me Smile,” will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame during the organization’s 48th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner June 15 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

One of the largest music festivals in the nation, Musikfest features more than 500 performances on 15 stages throughout Bethlehem over 10 days. Dates for the 34th edition of the festival are Aug. 4-13. For more information, visit www.musikfest.org or follow the festival at facebook.com/Musikfest and twitter.com/Musikfest.