Chicago Draws 25,000 at SPAC

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, September 4, 1971

Chicago broke its own 1970 record of 23,000 last night at Saratoga Performing Arts Center with an unofficial 25,000.

True house count was not expected until today because of the size of the crowd. But they packed them in, worked the entire show without any other act, and now have the distinction of the second and third biggest crowd in SPAC’s six years. The Who, of course, hold the topper with 34,000 last month.

If you can liken Chicago to computers, then you could say Chicago is a third generation rock group, as computers are now in fifth generation of development.

Far Beyond

I mean by this they have progressed far beyond the overamplified heavy guitar, narrow confines of rock to a point of sophistication and production numbers where heavy emphasis on brass provides the ingredients for enjoyable depth and diversity. This does not mean they did not play some true hard rock last night.

The stage was filled with equipment for the seven musicians, who play a wide variety of instruments. Their music tends heavily toward instrumental blending and solos of diverse instruments such as flute, piano and percussion. This places them, although some may not wish such a classification, in the general realm of the so-called big band sound.

Chicago is an exceptional group. It is a misnomer to call them a rock group and let it go at that, because the connotation for many is misleading. This is a production group, whose music is as often soft, delicate ballads as it is loud, hard and brassy.

Present Status

Those who term them a jazz rock group come closest to an accurate assessment of their present status in the music field. Their obvious experimentation with mixing instruments and vocals makes it clear that future years will see even more evolution of their sound into some other potentially exciting fields with a rock base.

Someone suggested Chicago might well be the group to join the Philadelphia Orchestra for the often-discussed but never-attempted rock-concerto concert. I am inclined to agree. This combination, since all are well-grounded musicians, would make for a very interesting performance. Chicago may well be the ones to bridge any gap in musical taste for both worlds.

Closed Circuit TV

Closed-circuit television was used again last night to give the huge lawn crowd excellent full-screen pictures of the stage happenings. Watching the TV cameraman bogged down with a mound of equipment moving all over the stage trying to keep up with musicians was a show in itself. The lawn picture was excellent and utilization of this the past two years has tremendously augmented enjoyment for the lawn crowd.

Although increased security forces were used last night, it was apparently totally unnecessary. This was an appreciative attentive crowd with no tendencies toward mayhem as has occurred in the past. Needless to say, SPAC officials were elated at this.

Tonight at 8:30 it will be Bill Cosby and Carmen McRae; tomorrow, Melanie and David Steinberg, and Monday, Kris
Kristofferson and lan and Sylvia.