Chicago – Greatest Hits (Picture disc)

It didn't take long for Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits to rise to #1 on the album charts in the US. Released on November 10, 1975, the album was apparently a popular Christmas gift, as it rose to the top of the Billboard 200 on December 13 of that year and stayed there for more than a month until January 17, 1976, at which time Earth , Wind & Fire took the top spot with Gratitude.

The collection includes tracks from the band's albums, from the debut Chicago Transit Authority (1969) to Chicago VII (1975). The tracks from Chicago VIII have been omitted, as the album was not released until that year. Chicago III is not represented, as none of the songs were considered a big enough hit to be included.

The popularity of the album lasted well beyond the Christmas season, as the LP lasted an impressive 72 weeks on the Billboard 200, and Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits has sold more than five million copies to date.

Because Chicago has impressed so many people with their singles, the band has had to tailor their live experience over the years to be as close to Greatest Hits as possible. "We've tried to play [Deep Cuts] because we want to go back and play that stuff because it was fun to play, write and record," trumpeter Lee Loughnane told Billboard. "But if it doesn't work live, you still end up pulling it off. You have fun a few times, but when the only one having fun is the band, it's problematic. And you go back to what people want to hear: what made you famous, you know. That's what people want to hear. That's how I feel when I look at a band. I want to hear what made them famous."