FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENCORE RETURN: CHICAGO COMES BACK TO EAA AIRVENTURE FOR JULY 29 OPENING-DAY CONCERT
Kickoff for World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration presented by Ford Motor Company
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (May 1, 2013) — One of the music world’s legendary bands will be back at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, as Chicago will take the stage on Monday, July 29, for the event’s popular opening-night concert.
The concert, presented by Ford Motor Company, is free to all AirVenture attendees that day and will be held on Phillips 66 Plaza immediately following the July 29 afternoon air show.
“Those who were here for the opening-night concert in 2010 remember a picture-perfect summer evening in Oshkosh with Chicago playing hit after hit in front of thousands of people,” said Jim DiMatteo, EAA’s vice president of AirVenture features and attractions. “Chicago was one of the best-attended opening-night concerts we’ve ever had at AirVenture, so we’re very pleased to work with Ford Motor Company to welcome this legendary band back to Oshkosh this year.”
Over 40-plus years of recording, Chicago has attracted multiple generations of fans. Led by founding members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, and Walt Parazaider, Chicago jazz-infused “rock ’n roll band with horns” sound has created hits in six different decades. That includes such classics as “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”, “If You Leave Me Now”, and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry.” In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked Chicago, with 47 gold and platinum awards, as Number 13 on its Top 100 Artists of All Time.
“Ford is proud to be the sole automotive partner with EAA for more than a decade and pleased to enhance the experience for everyone attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,” said Kevin Keling, North America Corporate Events Manager for Ford Motor Company. “Chicago performed a great show in 2010 and we’re excited they will return for this year’s opening-night concert to start a sensational week at aviation’s annual reunion in Oshkosh.”
In March 2013, Chicago’s multi-platinum two-disc bestseller, The Very Best of Chicago, charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Catalog and Digital Catalog charts, making them the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six decades. More information about Chicago is available at the band’s website, as well as at its Facebook and Twitter sites.
The opening-night concert at EAA AirVenture is just one of a variety of family attractions and entertainment that are part of event. These added activities, ranging from night air shows to entertainment, are nearly all included with AirVenture admission. They are in addition to the hundreds of aviation forums and workshops, special presentations, and aviation exhibits available at Oshkosh.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.