Did Bill Champlin Need To Audition For Chicago in 1982?

[@perlmonk68]

I had two albums by Bill before he joined Chicago: Single & Runaway. Both are very good. In 1981, Chicago hadn't had a hit since 1978's "No Tell Lover". With Champlin coming on board in 1982, many of us knew (and were pleased) what Chicago was getting...perhaps Chicago didn't always appreciate it. Bill enhanced the group and even more so after Cetera left. Chicago 19 really was Bill's album.

[@lamarravery4094]

Bill, finally, was able to shine on 19. All the hits were him singing lead. It was a very good album and Twenty1 should've been even a better success.

[@FraserJCovers1975]

I could listen to these guys for hours.............Incredible!

[@TimfromChicago]

First time I heard of Bill losing his Son and him battling Prostate Cancer. My heart goes out to him and so glad he was able to be with his son during those times. I can’t wait to get my hands on this CD

[@sb66516]

Bill saved Chicago. he brought the Terry Kath...ish groove back to the band. I found Bill on the old Alan Thicke show. He had everything I was searching for a blue eyed soul singer with great music and the best black or white voice i have ever heard.

[@tomjones2348]

I've been a Son's fan since about 74' when I saw them with Terry Hagarty on guitar. What a band. Wow. My favorite Chicago album with Bill in #18. Bill's vocal work is just amazing on that album.

[@OttawaNow]

22 Chicago Songs by Bill Champlin Chicago Songs Written by Bill Champlin 01. Daddy's Favorite Fool (1982: Chicago 16) 02. Sweet Marie (1984: Chicago 17; unreleased track; live) 03. I Believe (1986: Chicago 18) Chicago Songs Co-Written by Bill Champlin 01. Sonny Think Twice (1982: Chicago 16) 02. We Can Stop the Hurtin' (1984: Chicago 17) 03. Remember the Feeling (1984: Chicago 17) 04. Please Hold On (1984: Chicago 17) 05. It's Alright (1986: Chicago 18) 06. Come In From the Night (1988: Chicago 19) 07. Runaround (1988: Chicago 19) 08. Hearts In Trouble (1990: Days Of Thunder Soundtrack) 09. Somebody, Somewhere (1991: Twenty 1) 10. Who Do You Love (1991: Twenty 1) 11. Holdin' On (1991: Twenty 1) 12. Plaid (1992: Stone Of Sisyphus) 13. Cry For the Lost (1992: Stone Of Sisyphus) 14. The Show Must Go On (1992: Stone Of Sisyphus) 15. Bethlehem (2003: What's It Gonna Be, Santa?) 16. Why Can't We (2006: Chicago XXX) 17. Where Were You (2006: Chicago XXX) 18. Already Gone (2006: Chicago XXX) 19. Better (2006: Chicago XXX)

[@craigvonberg4921]

This is my new favorite KZbin channel. I've always loved Bill Champlin. Had all the Sons vinyl back in the day. My musical heart is in the 70s. Chicago, EW&F, Gino Vannelli, Michael Ormartian, Al Jarreau, Seawind (Pauline and Bob Wilson), etc. Such great songwriting and really great production from that era, late '70s-early '80s.

[@ClarenceHW]

Seawind...been well over a half century since I've thought about them, great band. Now thinking of Dreams and The Flock. Had all the Sons as well, saw then several times in this sleepy SW town. Friend scored a couple bags for them, went backstage and spoke with Terry for a while.

[@philandgayelynnbethel5380]

Bill, sorry for your loss. I lost my 33 yr old son in 2014.

[@davidnorman4923]

What a lovely guy! Never knew he lost his son! Great singer songwriter and musician! His place in music history is assured! His songwriting his arranging his backing vocals and singing is unbelievable!

[@LoneWolf-oi4yx]

Mr. I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love. My favorite Chicago song.

[@Jonni1027]

I’ve seen Sons of Champlin several times in the last 8 years and I’ve been a fan since the early days... Bill Champlin is so talented it’s a real joy to see him and Tamara and the rest of the band❤️

[@Alice-fr1ef]

I remember when Chicago first started but I really love to hear Bill Champlin sing In The Heat of the Night. I think he is a great singer. I never heard of him until I saw the show with Carroll O'Conner but that was all it took. Now I seek him out on YT.

[@brushman20]

Bill is a very interesting guy. I’d love to sit and talk with him for a few hours. I’m sure he wud have a million great stories. Very interesting about Sonny Think Twice. I think that’s one of the better tracks on that album. Nice to see him in good health.

[@paulj.ingram2839]

Hope there’s a little about his relationship with Joseph Williams. Love how these guys are still producing great music.

[@Gem0674]

Bill is the Jimmy Stewart of musicians❣️

[@drsimple]

That pre-Chicago bit was fascinating. Thanks, John!

[@RichardMNixon-zh6uz]

Just in case you're curious who his son is that passed away, his name was Bradford William and was born in March 1965.

[@vazz22]

God Bless You Bill.... we rebuke prostate cancer in the name of Jesus!

[@filmsforfred]

The new album is phenomenal! Can’t stop listening.

[@billjackson1317]

Peter saterra does whimp rock, first Album was a classic and still is.👍👍

[@lamarravery4094]

There's a lot of us that like the wimp rock then.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

Again, thanks John and Bill for this interview... I promise that if Bill wants to join my brother and I on our quest at #theSoundry in the #houseofmanycolors he doesnt need to audition.

[@oldbandguy]

Really enjoying these Champlin interviews. How many more are coming?

[@julensdad]

Great 👍

[@jwckauman]

Bill looks and sounds great. What a cool cat.

[@KAndrew636]

Its interesting he mentions Danny Saraphine, since both Bill and Danny were “drummed” out of the band by James Pankow! He has always been the hatchet man of the group- making sure he and the original members continue to make huge money off the Chicago name!

[@chrisschrecker5497]

You’re exactly right. I’ve lost a lot of respect for Pankow considering he was willing to let Dacus go, Pinnick go, Cetera go, Danny go, Scheff go, Coffey go, etc. Notice the pattern? He’s the Glenn Frey of Chicago. Great interview with Bill. Thanks John!!

[@roberthelme8000]

Pankow was also the prime mover behind shoving Robert Lamm and Terry Kath to the side. Someone should have told him to shut up a long time ago. He had a great heyday in the 1970s, but that time is long gone and some humility would do him a world of good.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

And then David Foster left, even after Cetera was gone!

[@tonydegiuseppe9484]

Jimmy Pankow is an arrogant egotistical prick.

[@showstopperrob1097]

Great interview John, Really like the guy. Tell you a secret I also own Studer equipment. A Studer A810 2 track master recorder, the A721 Casste tape deck, A727 CD player and the A 725 Cd player and the Studer A68 Power amp. Marvelous stuff. Keep it serviced it myself So it will last forever.

[@RockHistoryMusic]

Cool, Mine is a Studer A-807. I bought it from my first radio Program Director for $1000 maybe 3 years ago.

[@showstopperrob1097]

@@RockHistoryMusic That's a bargain

[@jaym4958]

The brass section just hated people like Bill and Duane that could put it out on a guitar simple as that always love CTA great band but hated guitar players rock on Bill

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

This group ONCE BEYOND the late 60s and most of the seventies .... Terry Dying being horrible prompting one after another reiterations of the CHICAGO cast .... always brought us back to THE THREE AMIGOS = Pankow and crew = still there ! Of course The Founding force and Keyboards / guitar / singer Robert Lamm & after Cetera had his head swell eventually Danny Seraphine burned out ...... the group is different but, core people still keep it what it has always been .... A ROCK BAND that brings it with Horns, uses blues, Jazz & orchestration influences to make GREAT MUSIC loved around the world ! GBjj

[@LoyalOpposition]

I know the song, but can't quite make out the lyrics :(

[@JBPRODUCTIONSOK]

Hello I have subscribed to your channel, I really like your content, I am looking for some inspiration for my videos.. Keep it up!

[@dimitrikotsianas2852]

Did Bill play any guitar or keyboards on the his first two albums with Chicago, or was it all Robert?

[@MrJsfingers]

A majority of the boards were Foster, Porcaro and Paich on 16. I think Foster “let” Bill and Robert play some boards on 17.

[@TwoSouls-productions]

I want the STUDER !!! LOL

[@RockHistoryMusic]

IT'S A STUDER A-807. I bought it from my first Program Director. It weighs as ton but great machine.

[@waltersimmons946]

Bill Champlins song from Chicago 18 >I BELIEVE should've been a single. Peter Cetera, after listening to Chicago 18, had said in an interview that "I BELIEVE " was a potential hit. Hmmm I say, what happened??

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

Left handed drummer playing a right hand set up, just like Ringo Starr.

[@hansumjoe]

They should have allowed him to do 09 during the 21 tour

[@hansumjoe]

I was thinking to myself, what am I talking about? Then I flipped down to @Ottawanow's list and it was #9, Somebody Somewhere Mystery solved

[@billjackson1317]

What about the Sons‼️

[@aprilgosa5779]

Bill has cancer oh no

[@sspbrazil]

After Terry Kath passed Chicago died.

[@tonydegiuseppe9484]

Absolutely not true. Terry Kath was only there for 10 years.They have endured and forged on throughout DECADES

[@doninmichigan]

Grow up, it's a big world out there, lot's of things to appreciate and enjoy.

[@lamarravery4094]

He was an important part of the band, but there were 6 other very talented guys in the band and they continued.

[@fry9700]

I don’t know, I think this guy took Chicago to the lowest of lows. I think his contributions were just awful. Sappy radio love songs, really a bad era for the band.

[@doninmichigan]

You're insane

[@zgfit]

And clueless!