Photo: Vivien Killilea / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Chicago has been busy on tour this summer, but without two of the band’s most iconic founding members. Keyboardist and singer Robert Lamm and trombonist James Pankow have been absent from the tour, leaving trumpet player Lee Loughnane as the only original member still performing. Their absence caused some concern with many longtime fans. We all grew up listening to Chicago’s signature brass-driven sound.
Lee Loughnane has hinted at health-related reasons behind the absence of Lamm and Pankow. “Everything is as okay as it's gonna be. We just get older,” he said. “Travel has never been easy and it's never gonna get easy. So, hopefully they will be as healthy as they can possibly be [and] come back and play some more shows until we can't do this anymore.” Despite the uncertainty, Loughnane remains committed to the road, adding, “I'm gonna be out on the road no matter what happens.”
While the band hasn’t made an official statement, a source close to Chicago shared: “We hope they are both back touring full time soon, but sometimes life has other plans.”We’ll keep you updated on the latest as we hear more.
[Source: Premiere]