It’s a Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire ticket weekend

All weekend long, we're giving away Chicago/Earth, Wind and Fire tickets at PNC Bank Arts Center.

I've dug up some interesting info on both groups you may not know.

First, some tidbits about Chicago.

*They formed in Chicago, Illinois(surprise) in 1967 and are one of the longest running, most successful and best selling American groups of all time- second only to the Beach Boys in Billboard singles and albums.

*Their debut record, Chicago Transit Authority released in April of 1969 was a double-album (very rare), sold over a million copies by 1970 that included "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Beginnings", "Questions 67 and 68" and "I'm a Man" all later released as singles.  Although the album never made it to the top 10 album list, it stayed on the Billboard album charts for an amazing 171 weeks!

*The band continued to release albums every year from 1969 to 1982.

*The reason they changed their name form Chicago Transit Authority to Chicago was because the mayor of the "Windy City" threatened to sue the band for using the name.

*So-why the name Chicago? All but one of the original members hail from the " Second City."

*Their first top-40 hit was "Make Me Smile".

Now- on to Earth , Wind and Fire.

*The band takes took their name from the astrological elements and would release songs according to the band leader's and founder Maurice White's sign of the zodiac. White cut his musical chops with former member of the  Ramsey Lewis Trio and started EWF in 1969.

*Maurice discovered Deniece Williams as well as the Emotions who sung "Best of My Love."

*Mr. White played drums on the 1966 Fontella Bass hit "Rescue Me."

*EWF's horn section, The Phoenix Horns, played on two Genesis singles, "No Reply At All", and "Paperlate."

*Their first album, "Earth, Wind and Fire" was released in 1971.

*At some points in time members of The Ramsey Lewis Trio, Friends of Distinction, The Watts 103rd St. Band, and Donny Hathaway were member of the group.

And finally,

Earth, Wind and Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in the year 2000.

Here's one of the songs that got them there.