You've heard the horns. That brassy, unmistakable wall of sound that basically defined the 1970s and then somehow reinvented itself for the power ballad era of the '80s. But if you’re heading to a show at the Venetian in Las Vegas or catching their 2026 tour across the states, you might be wondering: who are these guys? Honestly, with a band that’s been around since 1967, the roster looks a little different than the one on the back of your Chicago Transit Authority vinyl.
The "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" group is famously a "self-perpetuating" machine. They just don't stop. They've toured every single year since they formed. That's a wild statistic if you think about it. No "farewell" tours that turn into "reunion" tours three years later. Just constant, relentless road work.
The Last Men Standing: The Founding Trio
When you look at the current members of Chicago the band, you have to start with the "Big Three." These guys were there in the beginning—in the basement, in the clubs, and on the charts.
Robert Lamm is still the anchor on keyboards and vocals. He’s 81 now, which is incredible given he’s still the voice behind "25 or 6 to 4" and "Saturday in the Park." He's the guy who brought that sophisticated, jazzy, New York-cool vibe to the band's songwriting.
Then you have the horn section. Lee Loughnane (trumpet) and James Pankow (trombone) are the architects of the Chicago sound. If you’ve ever air-tromboned to the "Beginnings" riff, you're mimicking Pankow. Interestingly, while they remain official members and the heartbeat of the organization, 2025 and 2026 have seen them take a few breathers. There’s been some talk about "hiatuses" for health reasons, which makes sense when you've been blowing into a brass instrument for nearly 60 years.
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The "New" Lead Voice: Neil Donell
Replacing Peter Cetera is a job nobody really wants. Just ask the guys who tried it before. But Neil Donell joined in 2018 and has basically made the impossible look easy.
The guy has a four-octave range. He’s a Canadian session legend with over 10,000 sessions under his belt. When he hits those high notes in "If You Leave Me Now," he’s not just mimicking Cetera; he’s owning the space. It’s kinda rare to find a fan who doesn't respect what he brings to the table. He's got the "tenor" thing down, but with a reliability that has stabilized the band after a few rocky years of singer-swapping.
The Engine Room: Drums and Bass
If you saw Chicago in the '70s, you saw Danny Seraphine. If you saw them in the '90s, it was Tris Imboden. Today? It’s all about Walfredo Reyes Jr. "Wally" is a beast on the kits. He actually started as the band's percussionist back in 2012 before sliding over to the main drum throne in 2018. He’s played with everyone from Santana to Steve Winwood. His style is a mix of rock power and Latin flavor, which fits the early Chicago catalog perfectly.
On bass, we have Eric Baines, who stepped in around 2022. He's a Nashville guy—a producer and singer in his own right. He brings a really solid, "pocket" feel to the rhythm section. In a band like Chicago, the bass player has to be a monster because those early Peter Cetera lines were surprisingly complex and melodic. Baines handles them without breaking a sweat.
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The Rest of the 2026 Lineup
The stage is crowded. That’s the thing about Chicago—you need a lot of people to make that much noise.
- Ray Herrmann: He’s the "new" Walter Parazaider. He officially took over the woodwinds (sax, flute, clarinet) in 2016 after subbing for years. He’s a session pro who has played with literally everyone.
- Tony Obrohta: The guitar player. He joined in 2021. He’s got the unenviable task of playing Terry Kath’s legendary solos. He does it with a lot of reverence, focusing on the tone rather than just flashy shredding.
- Loren Gold: Keyboards and backing vocals. He’s also toured with The Who. He’s a utility player who fills in the gaps and helps with those massive vocal harmonies.
- Ramon "Ray" Yslas: The percussionist. He’s the guy hitting the congas and toys, adding that layer of texture that separates Chicago from a standard rock band.
- Carlos Murguia: A more recent addition on keyboards and vocals, further strengthening the vocal wall that the band relies on for their hits.
Why the Lineup Changes Actually Matter
A lot of people get grumpy when original members leave. It’s understandable. You want to see the guys from the poster. But with Chicago, the "member" list is almost secondary to the "book" of music.
Lee Loughnane has said in interviews that the band is a "franchise" in a way. The arrangements are so specific—the way the trumpet, trombone, and sax interact—that as long as the musicians are top-tier, the sound of Chicago stays intact.
The 2026 tour proves they aren't slowing down. They have a residency at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas in February, followed by a string of dates in places like San Antonio and North Little Rock.
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Actionable Tips for Fans
If you're planning to see the current members of Chicago the band this year, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Check the Lineup Daily: Because some founding members are older, they occasionally sub out for specific legs of the tour. Don't be shocked if you see a "guest" horn player; they are always world-class.
- Listen to "Born for This Moment": This is their 38th studio album (released recently). It features many of the current members and gives you a feel for how the "new" guys sound on original material, not just the hits.
- Vegas is the Best Bet: If you want the full production with the best sound, the Venetian residency is usually where they pull out all the stops.
- Watch the Percussion: Keep an eye on Ray Yslas and Wally Reyes Jr. Their "conversation" during the drum solos is often the highlight of the modern show.
The band might be a "Ship of Theseus" at this point—where almost every part has been replaced over time—but when that first chord of "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" hits, nobody cares. They just want to hear the brass.
Stay updated on their official tour page or their social media, as they're pretty transparent about who's on the bus and who's taking a breather.