LEGENDARY ROCK BAND CHICAGO SET FOR JULY 4TH FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR 

Full Season Announcement to Come in February 2016

Los Angeles, CA (November 2, 2015) - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association today provided the first glimpse of the 2016 Hollywood Bowl summer season, with the entire season to be announced in February 2016.

Legendary rock band Chicago is set for the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, with three performances, July 2, 3, and 4. Joining the Grammy Hall of Famers is the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins. The Hollywood Bowl July 4th holiday celebration offers the incredible outdoor setting of the iconic venue, Chicago's chart-topping hits, patriotic music from the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and a spectacular fireworks display. Considered one of Southern California's top Independence Day pyrotechnic displays, the annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at the Bowl has become a local family tradition. Tickets for children ages 12 and under are half price.

Former President Bill Clinton hailed Chicago as one of the "most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era." Lifetime achievements include a Grammy Award, multiple American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a street in Chicago dedicated in their honor. The band's albums have collectively sold over 100,000,000 copies, and have produced twenty-one Top 10 singles, five consecutive #1 albums, and eleven #1 singles. An incredible 25 of their 36 albums have been certified platinum, and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards.

Chicago has toured every year since the band's inception. The line-up includes original band members Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), and Walt Parazaider (woodwinds), as well as Jason Scheff (bass, vocals), Tris Imboden (drums), Keith Howland (guitar), Lou Pardini (keyboards, vocals), and Walfredo Reyes, Jr. (percussion). From the signature sound of the Chicago horns, their iconic vocalists, and a few dozen of their biggest hits, this band's concerts are true celebrations.

Dates for several of the popular annual concerts at the Hollywood bowl have also been set, including: Opening Night (June 18), Sing-A-Long Sound of Music (June 24), Smooth Summer Jazz (August 28), and "The Big Picture" Movie Night (September 4).

With the Hollywood Bowl serving as the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for more than 90 years, the 2016 season continues the tradition of offering classical concerts every Tuesday and Thursday night, with star-studded programming. 

Highlights include: 

• Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel teaming up with superstar pianist Lang Lang to kick off the classical season with an exciting all-Tchaikovsky program. 
• Conductor Mirga Grazinytė-Tyla joining beloved pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet to perform music of Beethoven. 
• Nicholas McGegan celebrating the 20^th anniversary of his Hollywood Bowl debut with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham performing works by Handel. 
• Bramwell Tovey leading programs of music inspired by Shakespeare and classic film scores. 
• Andrew Manze conducting a program of Beethoven and Schubert, and Cristian Măcelaru leading works by Copland as well as a new violin concerto composed by Wynton Marsalis. 
• Violinists Nicola Benedetti, Arabella Steinbacher and pianist Francesco Piemontesi making their Bowl debuts. 
• Gustavo Dudamel leading the LA Phil and thrilling pianist Yuja Wang in a program of Gershwin and Ravel. 
• Pianist Garrick Ohlsson making a welcome return to the Hollywood Bowl. 

Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl 2016 summer season will be available online at HollywoodBowl.com or via phone at 323.850.2000 on the following dates: 

• Subscription online renewals are available November 2, 2015.
• Subscription mail renewals will be available November 12, 2015.
• New subscriptions and group sales will be available February 9, 2016.
• "Five or More" packages will be available March 15, 2016.
• The Hollywood Bowl box office opens for single ticket sales in early May 2016.

​About the Hollywood Bowl

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and plays host to the finest artists from all genres of music. It remains one of the best deals anywhere in Los Angeles; to this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many classical and jazz offerings. The venue offers something for everyone, from its sizzling summer evening concerts to the daytime arts festival for children, "SummerSounds: World Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," now in its 48th season. In February 2015, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the eleventh year in a row at the 26th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. For millions of music lovers across Southern California, the Hollywood Bowl is synonymous with summer. http://www.HollywoodBowl.com. 

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