Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Band Chicago to Perform at Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago will light up the Ford Amphitheater this Saturday night, bringing their signature horns, deep catalog of hits, and nearly six decades of music history to fans in Colorado Springs.
A Tour Backed by History
Chicago’s 2025 tour supports the release of “Chicago at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C. (9/16/71)”, a four-LP/three-CD set capturing the band’s historic performance at the newly opened Kennedy Center more than 50 years ago.
Founding trombonist James Pankow reflected on the milestone: “We were one of the first artists to perform there… it was a brand-new venue, and they were looking at inaugurating the venue with acts that were meaningful and exciting. We were invited to perform and we did.”
That concert marked the first live performance of “Saturday in the Park” — before it was even recorded. At the Kennedy Center show, Peter Cetera sang the lead, though it would later be re-recorded with Robert Lamm handling vocals on Chicago V.
From Chicago Roots to Rock Legends
The band’s origins trace back to friends at DePaul University in Chicago during the late 1960s. Starting as a nightclub act playing Top 40 covers, the group soon embraced originals, moved to Los Angeles, and became the house band at the Whisky a Go Go. That leap led to their signing with Columbia Records and the beginning of a run that has spanned nearly 60 years.
From jazz-rock fusion to chart-topping ballads, Chicago has built one of the deepest catalogs in rock history. Their career has included countless hits, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and collaborations with icons such as Earth, Wind & Fire, with whom they have toured six times.
What Fans Can Expect in Colorado Springs
Unlike co-headlining tours of past years, this concert will be an “Evening with Chicago,” giving the band more time to showcase music from every era. “This year, people will get to hear songs that they didn’t get a chance to hear because we’re going to be on stage for the whole evening,” Pankow explained. “We’re going to be doing some things from every album… it’s going to be a lot more in-depth snapshot about what Chicago is all about musically.”
Fans can look forward to a setlist spanning from early classics like “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” to later hits such as “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” and “You’re the Inspiration.” With 80 to 100 shows each year, the group continues to bring its brass-driven energy to audiences worldwide.
As one of America’s most enduring bands, Chicago’s Colorado Springs performance promises both nostalgia and discovery. For more news on tours, music festivals, and legendary acts returning to the stage, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com for the latest updates.