It Doesn't Feel Like 30 Years

03/06/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
David Swan

Without a doubt, rock n’ roll masters Chicago will be having a ball as they mark their 30^th anniversary this year. Trombonist and founding member Jimmy Panko stated the group was celebrating because "We just got released from parole." But seriously folks, they were actually in high spirits because they were going to be performing for a very good cause, closing the Revlon 5K Run/Walk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer tomorrow at UCLA.

The band will then be feted on VH-1 this Sunday evening with a two hour special that will include interviews in New York, a performance from "Hard Rock Live," and footage from a Greek Theater concert. And when it was pointed out that the show would take place on Mother’s Day, the band let out a collective "Awwwww…" Walt Parazaider, founding member and saxophonist, then clarified "We’re all the mothers. We are the mothers, in Chicago slang." They’re also gearing up for another summer on the road. Their tour kicks off on May 30^th with the Beach Boys. While pianist and lead vocalist/founding member Robert Lamm pointed out that "It doesn’t feel like 30 years. It feels like some time when we look at the body of work," Jimmy was quick to note that "When we look at the body [i.e., their physical condition], it’s work." The rest of the band agreed and laughed.

And when they look at the other groups that have come and gone over the years, from those who made it big like the Police and U2, to those that never did, like the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood, Chicago is proud not only of its longevity, but of its ability to embrace trends in music and technology without being overwhelmed and redefined by those trends. Says Jimmy, "I believe that this band has chops, and you can’t cover for that." He added that when it comes to technology, "We’ve used it to accentuate our musical talent."

After some further discussion on musical trends, the talk turned to The Tonight Show Online "Fearsome Foursome." Since there were seven band members sitting in for the talk, the conversation just went around the room as follows:

Question #1 - What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show?

First up was drummer Tris Imboden, who replied "Dennis Miller, for TV show. I just think he’s amazing." When it was pointed out that not only is that another talk show, but on another network, Walt interjected "I love Friends, Seinfeld, ER, I love ‘em all!" Piano and keyboard man Bill Champlin then said "Right now, I just finished the new Frederick Forsyth novel, it’s called Icon, and I love it." As the question moved to Walt, a bandmate reposed the question as "Which porno films do you like the best?", Walt replied "Well, all of them. Debbie Does Fargo." The group burst out laughing, and they provided their own takes on dialogue from such a film, including a suggestion of a scene involving Debbie’s head being put in a wood chipper. Getting back to business, Walt then replied "I’d say Fargo and Donnie Brasco." Jimmy was up next, responding "I’m pretty much a realist when it comes to fiction versus non-fiction. I’m reading Slouching Towards Gomorra by Robert Bork. And although it’s ultraconservative, it’s the truth about, perhaps, what is happening to the moral fiber of the nation and the world. It’s a different world we live in today, and perhaps he’s a little more exaggerated than the real situation, but it’s food for thought. On the other side of the coin, Chicken Soup for the Soul, which I read between chapters of Slouching Towards Gomorra, to bring me back." Robert then answered "One movie that always stays with me is Wim Wenders’ Far Away, So Close. I always think about the movie because the idea of angels constantly being around us and kind of whispering to us when we need a little of encouragement or discouragement from doing the wrong thing or doing something that would be harmful. I just love that whole concept, as crazy as it might seem. I’d like to believe in it, I’d like to believe that that’s true. I think about that movie a lot." Bass player Jason Scheff then gave his answer: "My movie tastes change so much, but right now I’m hot on a movie called Flirting With Disaster. I like Mad magazine, too." Finally, guitarist Keith Howland owned up to his instrument and said, "Being the shallow guitar player that I must be, This Is Spinal Tap" was his choice of film. When asked if Rob Reiner’s classic mock rockumentary was an accurate depiction of band life, Jimmy immediately cried out "It’s good man!" while the rest of the band yelled "It’s the truth! Sure! Of course!" Still they admitted that after a week or so, the film hits a bit close to home. In fact, referring to Spinal Tap’s griping about its accommodations in the film, Bill joked "You know how to get a musician to complain, don’t you? Get him a gig." The band then said they have collective favorites on their tour bus, including The Godfather, Blazing Saddles, The Blues Brothers and Silence of the Lambs. Jason gave a frighteningly accurate imitation of the latter film’s serial killer.

Question #2 - What is your favorite food?

While Tris was "torn between Thai and Mexican," Bill said "Anything in New Orleans, we just don’t get there often enough." Walt has a palate for "Sake laden sushi. Covers it both, doesn’t it?" and Jimmy is partial to the rather exotic-sounding "SautÈed fois gras." Robert simply said "I just like Japanese cuisine," Jason was big on "Indian" and Keith rounded out with "Barbecued pork ribs."

Question #3 - What is your worst vice?

Tris admitted "I’m in the midst of quitting smoking. I’m a patch man at the moment, and I have been for a couple of weeks." Bill similarly said "Probably tobacco. Nicotine in general. I go back and forth, I keep slipping into cigarettes and cigars." Walt confided "There’s many here, I could do a top ten list right now. I have to say I enjoy red meat a lot. I don’t eat it a lot. But that’s one that I really have to fight to stay away from, ‘cause I would eat it every day" and Jimmy said "Well, I’d have to be general. It’s a general propensity for excesses. Just holding back is what I’d like to be able to do. I quit smoking New Year’s day, but I slip now and then." Robert stated "As I’ve gotten older, I think I’ve discarded most of my vices, but I’m probably, at times, shallow and vain. And I like sugar" while Jason let it be known "I have a total tie between sugar and fat. Okay, there’s a triple way tie: salt, fat and sugar." Wrapping up this query, Keith said "Honestly, I’d have to say, in keeping with the pork rib theme, part of the joy I get out of that is the barbecuing part, so I’d say pork ribs, and the beer that you have with your barbecue." The thought of pork ribs and beer led his fellow performers to hoot about the perfect restaurant for Keith called "Swine and Suds!"

Question #4 - What is your secret ambition?