Chicago - Interview Excerpts from "Star Sessions" (5-14-1982) - Chicago 16

Talk radio host Bill Ayres of New York's WPLJ FM (*not* to be confused with the radical Leftist terrorist guy of "Weather Underground" infamy) interviews several Chicago band members during a studio concert in Los Angeles as part of ABC FM Network's "Star Sessions," a 90-minute series of in-studio concert specials that debuted on March 20, 1982. The shows were taped live in a recording studio of the artist's choice.
Having recently recruited Bill Champlin to compensate for the four-year absence of Terry Kath's soulful baritone, Chicago was re-energized and freshly determined to make music they could be proud of again. The "Star Sessions" performance helped the band hype their then-upcoming album, Chicago 16, which was released the following month and featured, in this author's opinion, the very best of their 1980s output.

[@3rdRockRider]

Wish more Chicago interviews gave this much behind the scenes with more than 1 or 2 of the guys along with live demonstrations from them. Thanks for the upload! It may be the only one where Jimmy compliments Bill.

[@Eighties_Child]

I feel the same way. And I, too, thought Jimmy's compliments were more than a little ironic. It's so incredibly sad that these guys couldn't prioritize their friendship and brotherhood above their egos and business baloney.

[@StevieG777]

@@Eighties_Child Pankow always struck me as an arrogant d-bag, Lamm somewhat too. No wonder Cetera wanted out, especially with Foster paving the way.

[@lamarravery4094]

​@@StevieG777Pankow and Lamm wrote a lot of their earlier tunes that were the hits, and they knew they were good, so that'll inflate their egos.

[@denisefleener8755]

Great interview. Bit too Pankow-heavy for my taste but so good to hear the boys, especially Walter and Danny, talking about their music.

[@Eighties_Child]

I agree completely, Denise!

[@lamarravery4094]

Bill was a great addition, Pankow was right, Bill's voice is probably the closest they'll ever get to Terry's voice.

[@Eighties_Child]

Bill's voice was great in the early '80s, particularly in the studio when paired with Cetera and ONLY WHEN he restrained himself and didn't over-sing like a goon (which, unfortunately, was most of the time). In the '90s onward, Champlin's voice deteriorated to the level of a croaking frog, probably due to years of chain smoking. I much prefer Robert Lamm covering Terry's vocal parts. In his prime, Champlin was really bluesy and soulful, but his gravelly voice doesn't sound anything like Terry Kath's, though. Terry's husky baritone was much smoother and very similar to the great Ray Charles'. In my opinion, Kath's voice was more irreplaceable than his guitar playing. Chicago's harmonies/sound have never been the same since his death. That said, they've still put out a lot of good music since '78.