Interesting. I have to say that never followed them terribly closely. I knew that their early stuff was harder and had a strong jazz flavor. And I knew that Terry Kath died. And then they seemed to get “commercial” and have huge hits. I assumed they decided to change direction because they no longer had Kath in the band. But maybe it was really the new producer.
Terry Kath was the Soul of Early Chicago until he died.
Chicago had no choice but to change direction after Kath died.
Foster owes no apologies to anyone.
To my knowledge Chicago is still touring doing what they love to do.