Chicago and Styx have announced a co-headlining Summer 2026 tour of North America starting in July.

“The Windy Cities Tour – All The Hits…Your Kind of Tour” is set to kick off on July 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and will continue through September 6 in Los Angeles.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, December 5.

“In my early days of live performing I had several mentors who were kind enough to let me join in and play with them despite not being able to read charts,” Styx singer and guitarist Tommy Shaw shared in a press release. “Rod Henley, Ricky Parsons, Bobby and Larry Moore, Eddie Wohlford, Wimpy Jones, Country Boy Eddie and others gave me a shot. And I am thankful for that.”

“By the time Chicago released their first album, I had enough experience to begin learning their amazing music on my own,” he continued. “Now, the idea of Styx touring with Chicago is a major thrill all on its own. We can’t wait to spend the summer with them!”

Chicago and Styx, Summer 2026 Tour Dates:

July 13 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iThink Financial Amphitheatre
July 15 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 17 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
July 18 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
July 20 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
July 21 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
July 23 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
July 25 – Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion
July 26 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
July 28 – Toronto, Ontario @ RBC Amphitheatre
July 30 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Acrisure Amphitheater
Aug. 01 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
Aug. 02 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
Aug. 05 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
Aug. 06 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
Aug. 19 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center
Aug. 20 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman
Aug. 24 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 25 – Kansas City, MO @ MORTON Amphitheater
Aug. 28 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
Aug. 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sept. 01 – Phoenix, AZ @ Mortgage Matchup Center
Sept. 02 – Palm Desert, CA @ Acrisure Arena
Sept. 04 – Concord, CA @ Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Sept. 06 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum

Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper (84), who was a key player for eminent artists such as Booker T & the M.G.’s, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and several others, passed away on Wednesday (December 3) in Nashville, leaving behind his wife Angel and four children.

Cropper was an original member of the Stax Records house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s, alongside organist Booker T. Jones, bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn, and drummer Al Jackson Jr.

“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I share the news that my amazing Dad passed away this morning,” Cropper’s son Stephen posted on Facebook. “He certainly lived an incredible life and enjoyed every minute of entertaining you all. Please lift prayers of comfort for my family.”

“Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched the lives of millions worldwide,” Cropper’s family said in a statement released through the foundation, describing his “influence on American music is immeasurable.”

Cropper, who won two Grammys and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T & The MG’s, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, was also a noted producer.

“Steve Cropper was a towering figure in the history of rock and R&B,” says Steve Greenberg, reissue producer of 1991’s Grammy-winning The Complete Stax-Volt Singles box set.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified Elton John’s festive classic “Step Into Christmas” platinum after the song logged more than one million certified units in the United States.

“Step Into Christmas,” which was released on November 23, 1973, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart in the U.S. The song, a seasonal favorite, has spent a total of 44 weeks to date on the Billboard Holiday Airplay chart.

The track, co-written by Elton and Bernie Taupin, has made it to the U.K. charts every December since 2011, and in the 2020-21 winter season, it achieved its highest U.K. chart position to date at No. 8.

The single was certified Triple Platinum by the BPI in 2023.

Elton’s latest “Step Into Christmas” social post went viral a few days ago, attracting more than 20 million views in under 48 hours.