Few  musical groups in the past 40 years have had a more successful and more  spectacular career than Chicago, the legendary pop/rock band behind such classic hits as “Beginnings,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and many more.

Although they broke up a few years after attaining the height of worldwide  popularity, Chicago’s unique and exhilarating sound has outlasted the personal aspirations of its individual members who pursued  solo careers, and continues to endure despite the advent of new artists with new sounds and new styles.

Aside from its great hits that continue to score high in the charts, various efforts to keep alive the memories of the renowned group include retro concerts, tribute bands and solo performances by individual members.

A musical event that is expected to fulfill every music enthusiasts’ fantasy to experience again the timeless and authentic Chicago music is the forthcoming reunion concert tour of some former members of the band in Manila starting tomorrow, May 7.

Ex-Chicago members Marty Grebb, Chris Pinnick, Kenny Cetera and Tim Scott – now all accomplished artists and musicians in their own rights – have been assembled into a reunion group called “Chicago’s Finest” for the musical extravaganza dubbed as “Chicago’s Greatest Hits Live In Manila!”

To be mounted by Steve O’Neal Productions in cooperation with GMA Records, the concert tour will open with a dinner-show tomorrow at the Hyatt Ballroom, Hyatt Hotel & Casino-Manila, to be followed by a concert on May 8 at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City; and end with another show on May 10 at the Central Bank Convention Hall in Davao City.

To be featured as opening act is Anna Grebb, a young singing sensation from California and Chicago. La Diva, an up-and-coming artist of GMA Records, will be the special guest.

The  three-date, three-city musical event will showcase a string of Chicago’s classic hits, such as “Beginnings,” “Questions 67 & 68,” “I’m A Man,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” “Make Me Smile” (complete version), “Colour My World,” “Wake Up Sunshine,” “Happy Man,” “Call On Me,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “Saturday In The Park,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and many more.

Chicago’s Finest boasts of a powerhouse ensemble of former Chicago members who have made their individual marks in contemporary music as solo artists or as members of other groups since leaving the celebrated band.

Although involved in numerous projects, including several tours across the United States, they have graciously decided to leave their respective commitments for an extraordinary reunion with their fellow former musicians in this tour.

According to promoter Steve O’Neal, Chicago has performed only once in the Philippines in the early ’90s and the reunion concert featuring Chicago’s Finest would definitely be a real treat for thousands of fans who will enjoy listening to the authentic sound of the original group from the same musicians who made it popular.

Marty Grebb, original vocalist, arranger, saxophonist and keyboardist of The Buckinghams who was responsible for bringing together the ex-Chicago musicians for the tour, is considered one of the finest musicians in the industry who has had successful collaborations with music titans Leon Russell, Greg Allman, Bonnie Rait, Joe Walsh, David Sanborn and even John Lennon after leaving Chicago. He has several jazz albums to his name.

Chris Pinnick, on the other hand, has done numerous recordings and session works for some of the top celebrities in rock music in his co-owned digital studio in California and at the same time writes scores for movies and performs live occasionally.

Acknowledged as the hunk of the group, Kenny Cetera comes from the musical Cetera family that also includes his siblings Peter and Tim; all three of them have at one time or another performed or recorded with Chicago.

Tim Scott has performed and collaborated with top rock stars like Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills.  He is also a producer and arranger.

Formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, Chicago began as an experimental rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound that catapulted it to its position as one of the longest-running and most successful American pop/rock and roll groups.

They gained fame for producing a number of hit ballads.  Their steady stream of hits in the 1970s and 1980s placed it only second to The Beach Boys in number of singles and albums sold.

Billboard Magazine has named Chicago as the leading US singles charting group in the 1970s, with over 120 million albums sold worldwide and scoring 22 gold, 18 platinum and eight multi-platinum albums.  Throughout their career, they had charted five No. 1 albums and had scored 21 Top Ten hits.

“Chicago’s Greatest Hits Live In Manila” is also supported by Hawaiian Airlines (official carrier), Hyatt Hotel & Casino-Manila (official residence), Manila Bulletin, Chrysler (official transport), BusinessWorld, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Tsikot.com, Getzmo.com, Rayban, Perez Optical, Barangay LS, GMA-7,  IFM and RJ100FM (official concert station).
Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores.

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‘Mommy Diary’ airs today

This 10-minute show, “Mommy Diary” is one for all mothers, young and older alike. It is their partner on how to experience and promote healthy motherhood, particularly the care of their children.

“Mommy Diary” begins to air today, May 6, both on GMA-7 and Q Channel 11 but with different time slots: “Mommy Diary” on GMA-7 airs before “Sis,” at 10:15 a.m., and on Q at 5:50 p.m. before “American Idol.” This is the first time that a program is aired on both TV stations, and Suzi Entrata-Abrera, who hosts the show is so excited about the show.

“We have so much to share about motherhood,” she said. With three daughters, 5, 4 and 3 years old, she indeed has so much knowledge, experience and information about motherhood and the raising of children.

For the initial episode, she has Joyce Jimenez as her guest, and Gizelle Sanchez, for the succeeding episode.

“We are not limiting our guests to celebrity mothers,” Suzi said. “Because we know out there that there are also great mothers who can share with us their dynamic experiences.

A well-known TV personality, Suzi could not avoid questions about her being a ninang of Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. “Ryan,” she said, “has been a close friend for more than 10 years already. I would even cook for him when he came to our house. We used to discuss so many things until the wee hours in the morning.”

“Ryan asked me to be their ninang because they wanted to have someone who can give them advice. But honestly, as I announced it in our morning show, ‘Unang Hirit,’ I would only accept to be a ninang again when I reach the age of 40.”

Specifically, “Mommy Diary ”talks about the top concerns of moms who are caring for their children between 0 to 3 years of age. Soon to be moms, new moms, and even mothers who are blessed with their second or third babies will find friendly tips from fellow mothers and experts in baby care on topics such as making bath time enjoyable and efficient, relieving colic, helping baby get a good night’s sleep, baby skin care, and even the benefits of a mother’s touch.”

Suzi recalled the early days of her marriage, “It was just me and my husband. I was blessed to have love in my life. Then one day, I found out I was going to be mom! I knew then that my life would change. And it would bring more so much more love than I could imagine.”

“Mommy Dairy,” sharing the same vision with its program sponsor, Johnson’s Baby, seeks to make motherhood easier and more meaningful for moms everywhere. With extensive research about the needs of babies, Johnson’s Baby has been a trusted partner of mothers in caring for their children over the years.

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Jazz Wednesdays at Merk’s

Jazz Nights at Merk’s returns this May featuring Merk & Friends with world-class performers mounting a special show on all Wednesdays of May to showcase jazz rhythms. Merk and Friends, led by Richard Merk, sings with Jacqui Magno and Olivia.

Richard, known as “Prince of Jazz,” is the son of Annie Brazil, the “Queen of Jazz,” who is now US-based while Jacqui Magno is a vocalist of jazz in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Asia’s “Golden Girl of Jazz” Olivia won the 2004 Astana International Song Festival bagging the best performance award. Merk’s is located at Level 3 Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 6, go to Beny de la Luna of Philkraft Marketing Corp., Dr. Lupe Lazaro, Reynard Mancao, Eddie Vicente, Dr. Buddy Valerio, Meg Quisias, Bobby F. Rodolfo, Arlene L. Jacobo, Nicolai Custodio, Gerald Tabios, Engr. Benjamin Jonson and Tessie Mariano, former MB librarian… Happy wedding anniversary to Ed and Marissa Cepe...