Watch Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago

Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago is a 2016 documentary film directed by Peter Pardini. The film follows the band members of Chicago as they recount their journey from being a group of young musicians playing in local clubs to becoming one of the biggest and most successful groups in the world. The film features interviews with all the band members, as well as archival footage and photographs from their early days. Each band member shares their individual stories and memories of how they met and formed the band, and how they navigated the ups and downs of the music industry.

The film begins by introducing the original seven members of Chicago, including Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, Terry Kath, and Peter Cetera, among others. The band’s first few years were marked by relentless touring and recording, with their self-titled debut album becoming an immediate commercial success. The film explores the band’s evolution from playing smaller venues to headlining arenas and stadiums, becoming one of the most popular acts of the 1970s.

The individual band members share their insights into the creative process behind some of Chicago’s biggest hits, such as “Saturday in the Park” and “25 or 6 to 4.” Robert Lamm, the band’s primary songwriter, talks about how he drew inspiration from various musical influences and his own life experiences to come up with the band’s signature sound. Lee Loughnane, the band’s trumpet player, recounts the various challenges they faced while recording their early albums, such as the use of unconventional instrumentation and the difficulty of capturing a live sound in the studio.

The film also delves into the band’s personal struggles, including the tragic death of guitarist Terry Kath in 1978. Kath’s bandmates share their memories of him as a musician and a friend, and talk about the impact his death had on the band’s future. The film also touches on the tensions between some of the band members over stylistic differences and creative control.

Now More Than Ever also addresses Chicago’s lasting impact on popular music and their enduring appeal to fans around the world. The film features interviews with several musicians, including Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins and Nels Cline of Wilco, who discuss the band’s influence on their own music.

Overall, Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago is a captivating and engaging documentary that provides an in-depth look at one of the most iconic bands in rock music history. Through candid interviews and rare archival footage, viewers get an intimate glimpse into the band’s creative process, their struggles and triumphs, and their enduring legacy. Fans of Chicago will undoubtedly enjoy this insightful and entertaining documentary, while music lovers of all genres will appreciate the band’s contributions to the evolution of popular music.

Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.