A Classic Reclaimed: Chicago Revives “Make Me Smile” on Late-Night Television in 1997
When Chicago stepped onto the stage of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1997, they weren’t simply performing a familiar hit. They were reaffirming a legacy nearly three decades in the making. Their choice of “Make Me Smile” was deliberate, almost symbolic.
Originally released in 1970 as part of the ambitious suite Chicago II, the song marked a turning point in the band’s early career, blending rock energy with jazz-infused horn arrangements. Written and first sung by Terry Kath, its absence in the 1997 lineup could have left a void. Instead, the performance demonstrated how Chicago had evolved without losing its core identity.
By the late 90s, with members like Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff handling vocal duties, the band delivered a more polished, controlled rendition suited for broadcast television. Yet, the defining element remained untouched: the horn section. Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, and Walt Parazaider brought a tight, vibrant sound that cut through the studio setting with remarkable clarity.
The constraints of late-night TV required a shortened arrangement, trimming the song from its original suite form. Still, the performance retained a sense of completeness, a testament to the composition’s enduring strength.
What made this appearance especially compelling was its quiet defiance of time. In an era dominated by contemporary pop and alternative rock, Chicago’s analog warmth and live instrumentation stood apart. “Make Me Smile,” nearly 30 years old at the time, did more than revisit the past. It bridged generations, reminding audiences why the band’s sound had never truly faded.
In just a few minutes on national television, Chicago proved that some songs do not age. They simply wait for the right moment to resonate again.