Chicago endured a severe crisis in the early 1980s following lead guitarist Terry Kath's passing and subsequent personnel departures, leaving the once-dominant band struggling commercially and emotionally adrift. To reverse their fortunes, the band brought in producer David Foster, whose pop-oriented expertise guided them through three albums starting with 'Chicago 16', which became a platinum-certified breakthrough featuring the number-one single 'Hard to Say I'm Sorry'.

While the collaboration ultimately proved creatively and commercially successful, the experience was emotionally fraught for band members navigating both grief and professional uncertainty. Keyboard player Robert Lamm has since reflected candidly on the challenging period, acknowledging that Foster's steady hand through their recovery proved essential to preventing the band's breakup. Where dissolution seemed possible, Foster's role in shepherding them through consecutive albums provided the stabilising force that allowed Chicago to survive and eventually recover.