Was that Chicago?

I don’t think I’ve ever written a bad review of a concert. Almost always there is something redeeming. This will be my first.

Last night we went to see REO Speedwagon and Chicago at Red Rocks. Neither were bands I really ever got into, but with REO Speedwagon enough of their popular music played on the radio back when I was in junior high school, that I knew it. As for Chicago, it was another one of those bands that was nearly impossible not to know. When I looked through their set lists from previous concerts, I knew at least 80 percent of the songs.

I’ll start with REO Speedwagon. They were great. High energy performance; their songs sounded like their songs. They were fun, they engaged the audience, and I could’ve listened to them play another hour, at least.

I cannot say the same thing about Chicago. In fact, we left after a half dozen songs. The first thing I noticed when they came on stage was that no one was old enough to be Chicago. A few minutes later, the horn section came out, and those were the only guys I recognized. When they started to play the first song, I was incredulous. The so-called lead singer was so bad, and I mean so bad. He was horribly off-key, and kept pointing to his earpiece. I can only assume that meant it wasn’t working (or something), and he couldn't hear how horrible he sounded.

I hoped it might get better. It didn’t. When they continued to massacre songs I grew up with, I sat and hoped my two fellow concert-goers were hearing the same thing I was, and  might want to leave. I think it was one more song before we all fessed up that we were enjoying it equally, meaning not at all. 

We weren’t alone. People were leaving in droves. And the weather was perfect. So no one can say there was any other reason except the band being really bad.

The thing I’m most disappointed about is that I feel cheated. I feel as though someone sometime somewhere should’ve made it known that 75 percent of the band wasn’t original, or even close to original. I felt as though I was in Las Vegas watching a really bad Chicago cover band. 

The tickets weren’t cheap, even at face value. I sympathize with those who paid scalper prices for this sold out show. I’d be really mad had I gone that route. 

I haven’t posted an official review anywhere, but I plan to. I don’t know how many dates they have left on this tour, but I feel as though future concert-goers should at least be warned. I can’t say whether I still would’ve gone or not. Probably not, especially if I’d read a review that said it was bad.  

My next Red Rocks experience is Tuesday. And we’re seeing Fall Out Boy. And no matter what, that show will be amazing. So I will cleanse this bad experience through writing about it, and move on.