The Short Music Career of The Chicago Loop

The Chicago Loop was a brief but intriguing part of the 1960s rock scene. Known for their one hit, “(When She Needs Good Lovin’) She Comes to Me,” the band blended pop, soul, and garage rock with a hint of blues. While their time was short, their sound captured the restless energy of a decade defined by musical experimentation.

Formed in Chicago, the group included seasoned session musicians and up-and-coming performers. Despite their breakup just two years after forming, their music lives on through collectors, nostalgic rock fans, and those interested in one-hit wonders of the psychedelic era.

The Chicago Loop – Artist Profile
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Years Active	1966–1968
Genres	Pop Rock, Garage Rock, Blues Rock
Main Labels	DynoVoice, Mercury Records
Notable Members	Bob Slawson (vocals) Judy Novy (vocals) Barry Goldberg (keyboards) Mike Bloomfield (guitar – studio) Carmine Riole (bass) John Siomos (drums) John Savanna (guitar)
Producer	Bob Crewe
Biggest Hit	“(When She Needs Good Lovin’) She Comes to Me” – #37, Billboard Hot 100 (1966)
Post-Band Projects	The Mitch Ryder Show, The Rides (Barry Goldberg), The Electric Flag

Formation and Background

The Chicago Loop was formed in 1966 by a mix of folk singers and seasoned musicians. Vocalists Bob Slawson and Judy Novy came from folk backgrounds, while instrumentalists like Barry Goldberg and Mike Bloomfield had deep roots in blues and rock. The rhythm section featured Carmine Riole (bass), John Siomos (drums), and John Savanna (guitar).

What made the band stand out was its talent lineup. Goldberg and Bloomfield were already respected studio musicians. Bloomfield had worked with Bob Dylan and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, while Goldberg had built a name in the Chicago blues circuit.

A Single Hit and Radio Attention

The Chicago Loop signed with DynoVoice Records, a label run by famed producer Bob Crewe, who was known for his work with The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli.

Their debut single, “(When She Needs Good Lovin’) She Comes to Me,” was released in October 1966. The track featured a tight groove, catchy vocals, and polished production. It climbed to #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their only national hit.

The B-side of the single, “This Must Be the Place,” received less attention, but fans of the band often consider it an underrated gem.

Follow-up Singles and Commercial Struggles

Despite the modest success of their debut, The Chicago Loop struggled to maintain momentum. They released several follow-up singles:

• “Richard Cory” / “Cloudy” (1967) – A-side inspired by the Simon & Garfunkel classic, but didn’t chart.

• “Saved” / “Can’t Find the Words” (1967, Mercury Records) – Attempted to capture a gospel-rock vibe but failed to gain traction.

• “Technicolor Thursday” / “Beginning at the End” (1968) – A psychedelic-style track with an experimental edge, but it also failed to chart.

By the end of 1968, the group disbanded. Their brief existence, charted by one hit and a few overlooked singles, placed them in the ranks of notable one-hit wonders of the 1960s.

After the Band: Members’ Paths

Though the band dissolved quickly, its members went on to impressive careers.

Bob Slawson, Carmine Riole & John Siomos

After the breakup, Slawson, Riole, and Siomos joined The Mitch Ryder Show, which became the rhythm section for Ryder’s touring band. Siomos, in particular, went on to become a respected session drummer and later worked with Peter Frampton and Todd Rundgren.

Barry Goldberg: From Blues to Rock Royalty

Keyboardist Barry Goldberg was arguably the most prolific member of the group. A blues prodigy, Goldberg played with Paul Butterfield’s Blues Band and famously backed Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965—a pivotal moment when Dylan “went electric.”

In 1967, Goldberg co-founded The Electric Flag with guitarist Mike Bloomfield, a group that mixed rock, blues, and soul. He also formed the Goldberg-Miller Blues Band with Steve Miller, recording “The Mother Song” under Epic Records.

Goldberg’s songwriting career grew rapidly. He penned songs that were later recorded by:

• Rod Stewart

• Gladys Knight

• Bobby “Blue” Bland

• Gram Parsons

• Steve Miller

He also co-wrote “Devil with the Blue Dress On,” famously recorded by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

In 1974, Goldberg released a self-titled solo album produced by Jerry Wexler and Bob Dylan.

Later Projects and Recognition

In 2012, Goldberg teamed up with Stephen Stills and Kenny Wayne Shepherd to form The Rides, a blues-rock supergroup. Their debut album, Can’t Get Enough, was well received and earned a nomination for Best Rock Blues Album at the 2014 Blues Music Awards.

In 2016, The Rides performed with Neil Young at the “Light Up the Blues” autism benefit. That same year, they released their second album, Pierced Arrow.

Goldberg also appeared in 2021 on the BMG album American Railroad, continuing his long, genre-spanning career.

Discography: The Chicago Loop