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Chicago fans have noticed a major shift onstage the past year. Keyboardist and singer Robert Lamm and trombonist James Pankow haven’t been touring, leaving trumpet player Lee Loughnane as the last original member performing with the band. Last summer, Loughnane suggested their absence was health‑related, noting that touring only gets harder with age.
Those absences have now officially turned into retirements. During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Lee Loughnane confirmed both Bobby Lamm and James Pankow have retired. Loughnane says the legendary group’s mission hasn’t changed.The band will still step onstage, lock in and deliver the songs their fans came to hear. Loughan is enjoying the challenge.
Lee will turn 80 later this year he laughs off the idea of retirement, joking he’s no golfer or fisherman — just a trumpet player doing what he loves. Loughnane says there are no plans for any “tell-all” memoir—preferring instead to protect the band’s legacy and keep the focus on their music.Chicago will tour with Styx this summer beginning in July.
[Source: Premiere]