Does Bill Champlin Still Talk To Chicago Band Members?

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lp.constantcon... Interview Clip #1 Does Bill Champlin Still Talk To Chicago Band Members?
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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first Elton John album as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show ‚”The Cross Canada Report‚” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts an the evening show at Move Move 103.5 (formerly QM-FM) in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.
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[@brentj.peterson6070]

Bill seems like a stand up guy. Any bad mouthing about him must be sour grapes. His contributions to Chicago are flat out awesome.

[@JimRay16]

Bill is now, and always has been, a stand-up guy. Always speaks the truth and tells it like he sees it. Nobody can ask for anything more!

[@daleeasterwood2683]

I disagree with both of you. His opinion of himself is over the top and he thinks he was Chicago. They were good before him and still good after him. He could stand to eat a little humble pie.

[@leapest]

I like him, But in Chicago, I thought he overplayed and over sang all the parts. I was glad to see him leave the band. As a vocalist, and a hammond guy he's great. But not good fit for Chicago. With his background, he should know better than that!

[@waltersimmons946]

@@daleeasterwood2683 Nothing is wrong with thinking high of one's self, Cetera and Champlins voices are on Chicago's number one songs :"If you leave me now"-"Hard to say I'm sorry" both written and sung by Cetera (The 2nd with Foster and "Look Away" post Cetera sung by Champlin written by Diane Warren. Their voices carried the band through the 80s and ironically after Cetera's out almost all of their singles are written by outside writers except "What kind of man" by Bobby Caldwell and Jason Scheff . Pankow and Lamm lost their edge as hit songwriters due to drugs and jealousy reared its head . If they saved the band, they would've definitely taken full credit for doing so. But that's not how it turned out.

[@mdwayne741]

I agree with you. Totally. Bill is great.

[@tombaker6082]

Fun fact: Bill was the voice on the open for TV's In The Heat Of The Night. I loved that show - still watch reruns actually. I asked Bill about it backstage once and he smiled and said he really enjoyed doing that. Love his voice.

[@ShaiFishman]

What an incredible vocal track!!

[@artvandelay8090]

Chicago came on the scene and did something unique. They broke ground as a rock band with horns and their music was more artistically-oriented than commercially-oriented. In spite of that, they rocked the world and made it to the top. That was quite an amazing feat. They accomplished it in the 70s and then, as it continually does, the world changes. When it came to be the 80s, what they did had been done. You can't repeat that kind of success doing the same thing you did last time in order to get there. They had to reinvent themselves. The power-ballad formula was the ticket. It worked and they once again had big hits. Sure, if you want to be a purist to Chicago's original music you could say that the power ballads ruined the band, but if that hadn't happened, Chicago wasn't going to make it to the top again doing the same kind of stuff that they had been doing in the 70s, especially without Terry Kath. So although the power ballad was not a direction where the core members of the band wanted to go, it certainly kept them relevant and super-charged their bank accounts. Instead of whining about being thought of as a power ballad band, they should have reinvented themselves once again but unfortunately, they didn't have the vision to be able to see what would work in the 90s and beyond. So they had to become road warriors and play the same tunes for the 80-thousandth time.

[@davewebbtheauthor]

A band I would pay to see would be Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff, Danny Seraphine (or Tris), Chris Pinnick, Peter Cetera (I know, 2 bass players), and David Foster. They could play all the singles from the 80's and it would be a complete show and a smashing success.

[@mrstonejack23]

I would DEFINITELY would LOVE to see this lineup!

[@derhandtrommler]

@@mrstonejack23 But they would abuse the 70's material that most of us love, You can have Foster and that 80's schmaltz. Give the rest of us Terry Kath, Peter Cetera and those 11 CBS records.

[@lamarravery4094]

I hope Peter Cetera gets inspired by Bill's drive to keep recording and do a new album as well. Got to hand it to Bill, he's still creating.

[@sldl04]

I think Cetera is fine with retirement and he admitted that he's lost vocal range over the years. I don't think you'll see him back especially since he'll turn 77 in September. Champlin on the other hand is 4 years younger and doesn't need the upper vocal range like Peter does.

[@waltersimmons946]

@@sldl04 Champlin is 3 yrs younger than Cetera. Cetera September 13, 1944 and Champlin May 21, 1947 .He's 74 till May 21, 2022.

[@cardtrix1970]

Bill is a great musician; I like his material with Chicago & away from Chicago.

[@lamarravery4094]

Remember a little album called Chicago 19? There were 4 top 10 songs on billboard, 3 of which Bill sang lead. What a great time for Bill, he finally got to shine and be recognized as a lead singer. I know I was buying his solo albums that came before and after.

[@Dboys122]

The Champlin Scheff era was my favorite,two magical voices

[@nickh3698]

@Korbon Dallas I certainly prefer the Kath era, but everyone has their own tastes.

[@doninmichigan]

@Korbon Dallas It's a big world out there, lots of things to appreciate and enjoy. Time for you to move out of the bedroom at your mom's house and GET A LIFE!

[@Kimt33314]

Bill and Tamara Champlin are to of the nicest people.

[@thetruthchannel349]

And they were on everyone's records back in the late 70s to mid 80s. Crack a record open and look at the vocal credits.

[@tomjones2348]

My admiration for Bill started when I (at age 15) saw the Sons at a small venue in Omaha in 1975. Just amazing. I loved his work in Chicago too.

[@joegilmore]

Thanks for giving us another interview with Bill. I love the guy! Tremendously talented musician and such a great guy. Not to mention you know you're getting the truth from him because he's a no BS guy. I've had a couple really good conversations with him after shows and I left each conversation with even more respect for him. What's similar between Bill and Chicago is two amazing catalogues of music. Unfortunately, what's dissimilar is class. With Bill, you get a classy guy who takes every opportunity to give credit to other musicians he's worked with for their talent and who they are. With Chicago, they put so much effort into trying to erase many of the people who contributed to their success from their history. As it is, I lose a little more love for my favorite band each year...but I CAN'T WAIT to hear what Bill has in store for all of us on this new album.

[@lamarravery4094]

I love the talent and songs from Chicago, but the original members are very pity, jealous and insecure. They need to chill out and acknowledge the fact that Peter carried them through the drug filled days of the late 70s and early 80s. The songwriters were so burnt out, Peter kept them in the game and made them rich. Is it so hard to say thank you and you're the man?

[@Gilbarwaters]

“I don’t want to live without your love” is one of my favorite songs Bill sings with Chicago and of course “ Look Away” and “ Hard habit to break” and the others. I like them ‘cause of his voice and easy for me to sing along than Peter’s part when I was a teenager.

[@JedidiahVibes]

The way i hear the beautiful depth in Bill's voice through the interview + You mentioned those songs in your comment = now i know Bill is that deep voice man in every Chicago track ('I Got a little love and i dont wanna let go')

[@michaelyi2532]

he's old, but still got that lovely deep voice~

[@waltersimmons946]

Bill is three years younger than Cetera and Lamm.

[@Gem0674]

Not old - 95 is old

[@garycomingore2255]

Chicago instantly became an oldies band (like Sha Na Na) the day Bill left. Rapidly heading that way when he joined. He made each one of them millions of dollars.

[@brushman20]

Thanks for doing this John! Have always loved Bill. Some people don’t agree, but for my money, Bill is the best vocal improviser there is. I’ve seen Chicago many many times and for the most part during the years when he was there. Loved songs he sang because u never knew exactly how he wud sing it. Always knew it wud be great tho! Haven’t seen many interviews with Bill thru the years, so this is great. Look forward to the other segments. Other than the big hits, “Sonny think twice” from Chicago 16 stands out to me as a really great vocal from Bill.

[@mseminary]

Thanks for sharing this! One of my all time favorite singers/musicians.

[@davidkilmer5268]

I love BC amazing vocals all around great guy

[@dianekoopmann171]

Love Bill. Gteat singer.

[@jimreeder112]

I've been a fan of Bill Champlin since 1969. When I heard he joined Chicago, it was like the guy who was always in the cool rnb soul bqnds joined a prom band

[@willard2729]

No, it wasn’t like that at all

[@Romans219]

Bill is one classy guy and obviously a great musician

[@chrisanderson385]

Bill is a monster. Just amazing. He is so candid about everything and just amazing

[@jerrygeist1677]

I've listened to Bill on albums throughout the years he is one of the people that always stood out to have singular musicality that added to anything that he worked on. When I had my grammy Award-winning studio the Santa Fe Center Studios, I even had a mural of some of the people that I greatly admired of which his face appears in the clouds along with several other Wondrous people, and I think the gifts that he has given us musically over the years are so incredible and so numerous that it's hard to even mention. Hes just one of the all time Greats! Thanks for the segment cheers!

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

I have always admired Bill's work with everyone but Chicago... He is very talented and has written some of the best songs of the last 45 years... I saw Chicago in March of 1975... They were my favorite band other than the Beatles and damn they were hot that night. I have a friend here in Everett who posted a short video a couple of years ago, where she and her husband had gone to this little club in Mukilteo Washington to see Bill Champlin... I thought there was no way that he would be performing just minutes from my home.. and I didnt know about it. It seemed crazy but sure enough... there he was... and I missed it.. Thanks for this interview, I am looking forward to the next chapters...

[@DropAnchor1978]

I Love Bill Champlin's music. I have been a fan since I bought A Circle Filled With Love, and love the Chicago 16/17 era!.

[@beneunson]

Love hearing from Bill, thanks for this John. Looking forward to Part 2

[@mmee24]

Bill Champlain is the man. Already ordered the forthcoming recording. Thank for posting and for the future parts of this interview.

[@marieclaire4935]

Bill should say to Chicago " if you see me walking by look away baby look away and if we meet in the street someday and you don't know what to say look away look away " don't look at me I don't want u to see me this way! Lol

[@fieldysgrl98]

LMFAO

[@berliner0]

Peter Danny bill David great guys

[@AffordableEscapesShreveport]

There was NOTHING Better than those Cetera/Champlin days! My God their voices blended So INSANELY incredible! I Don't care if you didn't like the ballads of the Foster Era. That was The TREND THEN! Every Band was doing Ballads in the 80s! - Yall know this! Anybody w half a brain knows these guys Had to Put THE BLONDE out FRONT! I Saw Peter as Frontman since the 70s! They may have thot this tribe was a Democracy- but the way they treated Peter was Hypocrasy! Foster & Cetera single handedly brought this band back to Life! Disco back then was interfering w TRUE ROCK! If those 2 had not formed an Alliance- there would NOT have been a Chicago anymore! THATS FACT! Lamm waz in REHAB - didn't know what time it was & did anybody really care! So were the 3 drunks horns- REHAB. Peter wanted to work- and 17 was BORN! The money poured into these guys back accounts & yet They treated Peter & Danny like SHIT! Peter didn't want to tour after 17- needed some rest w family. They told him he couldn't do that- he was told he had to tour for Upcoming 18 Album VIA a certified letter coming to his house instead of face to face! It said if he basically didn't commit- they would find somebody else. So his response waz "FIND SOMEONE ELSE. Peter went on & never looked back w his solo career. I can assure you There will NEVER be Another Peter Cetera- one of the top 5 Tenors of all Time! AGAIN its REALITY- ALL bands were doing Ballads & power Ballads! This band is now a FORMER SHELL of itself & can barely sound KARAOKE good enough! I dropped CHICAGO when they did Peter DIRTY AS HELL.

[@phillipkendrick3368]

The Foster era was great but the era that made the band famous in the first place is nothing to dismiss so easily. In fact, it was that the band's focal points were a lot more evenly distributed, and having Peter Cetera become the main focal point became a real thorn for the other members. Plus, how in the hell are you going to have a band come back with 2 very successful albums and not tour because the (now) main focal point is on a power trip trying to dictate the bands' opportunity to capitalize ($) on their comeback? If you didn't want to tour ( which ultimately PC hasn't done that much of) then 16 & 17 could have been PC solo albums and not use the Chicago name in order to help sell records. Didn't Peter record and release a solo album while still a member of the band that did poorly on the charts? Having a proven brand name, even if they were previously in a slump, is a helpful marketing tool. Maybe the other members took the "One man is not bigger than the group" ala "The Temptations" attitude. Personally, while your assessment of Peter's distinctive vocals is accurate, I also think that Danny Seraphine got more of a raw deal than Peter did ( Bill got jerked too), and to a certain extent, the rest of the band cut off its nose to spite its face ( Jimmy Pankow anyone?)

[@TheFergyme]

Wrong! The best days were when Terry Kath was around and singing with Cetera and Lamm.

[@LoyalOpposition]

You keep repeating yourself in every single Chicago-related KZbin comments section, but it's obvious you just copy/paste bullshit. You have no idea what you're talking about, and those CAPS don't help.

[@richardyoung641]

Great new album Bill..can't stop playing it....true breath of fresh musical air!

[@The_Jewish_Cowboy]

Been listening to new Bill album non-stop. Soo good.

[@sdparker7]

Of all the musicians I enjoy and follow, Champlin is consistently the one who just seems to live and breathe music. He’s in the business because music is in his blood. And the results are for us to hear. Already ordered the new CD. And as a native of Houston, I’ve always loved his connection to H-Town.

[@thomasknight6453]

Can’t wait for the Album. Thanks for the interview

[@kevinthebeagle]

great interview, look forward to the rest, and the music too!

[@joshuaarcilla6211]

1:04 - Champlin talks about Tris Imboden leaving Chicago alongside Coffey when he focused playing more w/ Kenny Loggins

[@mseminary]

Should have mentioned “Isn’t She Lovely” with Lee Ritenour ... holy moly!

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

That guitar solo at the end is still one of the greatest I've ever heard. Lee and Bill scatting together then Lee taking it to another level.

[@davidnorman4923]

great cover version! Jeff porcaro on drums too!

[@phillipkendrick3368]

Champlin was killin' it way before Chicago got him and was an asset to the band.

[@billyrossi4661]

Saw the sons of chaplain a couple of times in the 70's...

[@TulsaGirlForever]

Great interview! Missed Bill at the Church Studio event in Tulsa in October. I KNOW that drive to Houston! I've made the drive from Houston to Vallejo, CA & Tx never seems to end!!! Continued success wishes to Bill & still enjoying your videos RHM.

[@fieldysgrl98]

I hate that some of the guys dont like each other. I love Bill with Cetera. Was amazing.

[@berliner0]

Oh yes unbeatable

[@Kimt33314]

Love his music.

[@motowngirl5891]

I still have the album “the Sons of Chaplain” 1968

[@walterpen371]

After Terry Kath passed away, Chicago should've been put on hold. Rethink about what just happened to their brother/band mate and focus on addiction recovery. Instead they fooled themselves by continuing with their addictions which distorted their lives. Egos collided and finally they have no money. David Foster has admitted that he is a difficult person to work with. He put success back in their bank accounts. Chicago should've worked out a deal that after they were financially ready to work on their own again. Easy for me to say. Too many bands fell apart because of their addictions.

[@aprilgosa5779]

He hangs with Jason Scheff too they redid Will You Still Love Me together

[@jennyjennyable]

He still sounds as amazing as ever! What a talented musician!

[@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)

[@lamarravery4094]

I Believe from Chicago 18 should've been released as a single. That would've been a hit song. I would really like to know why it wasn't released.

[@berliner0]

Awesome

[@casario2808]

Actually I watched Danny's speech at RRHOF (on KZbin) and none of those names were edited out, including Bill Champlin...all there.

[@LoyalOpposition]

That's what I thought, but maybe he's referring to a different release. Maybe he means the band edited/cut a part, and then uploaded it to their website, etc.

[@babapawan62]

I think, Champlin, Scheff and Imboden or Seraphine should make a band.

[@fanmaxis3004]

I think Champlin, Friedst and that singer from Toto should do a project, that would be like the Traveling Wilburys of AOR

[@krisscanlon4051]

Bill is a guitarist too so it could be done.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Champlin and someone else from Chicago played with Danny in his new band, CTA (California Transit Authority) and Robert Lamm said he really respects what Danny is doing (because he wishes HE could do it, but he doesn't wanna fight "the guys in suits").

[@guitarcrazyusa]

If you’re not familiar, go way back to Sons of Champlin records (and live stuff) as well as his ‘70’s solo stuff.

[@jacktfowler246]

There's only Lamm left now and one of the other originals. Tells you who was ruling the roost and calling the shots in the group. Lamm resented David foster for being another piano player and wanting to improve the group.

[@jhpvids]

Love Bill's singing voice. .wished the band can work out the differences and come back together because believe me their show would sell out. Good stuff

[@davidsutter1846]

Always sad to hear members in Chicago did not get along! Foster does seem arrogant at times! Thanks Bill! Looking for a Gospel-Christ-Exalting record from you!!!!!

[@lamarravery4094]

Foster deserves to be a little arrogant, he's frickin talented. He's what Burt Bacharach was to the 60s, but Foster was the best in the 80s and early 90s. Most top 40 songs that were hits in the 80s he either co wrote or produced, that's amazing! He deserves to think he's the shit, because he is, lol.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Danny Seraphine is not only one of the great drummers, but a really good guy. I didn't know they cut that. Of course, Danny will be blamed for not speaking kindly of the other guys. I swear, man.. Why do they do this??? What is there to gain? Do a personal interview by yourself, instead of saying "We" for everything, putting blame on others when it's really THEIR opinion only.

[@Awesoman]

I really enjoyed his last solo album, 𝑁𝑜 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙. So you feel this album is even better? Good news!

[@joegilmore]

If Livin’ for Love is half the album that No Place Left To Fall is we’re all about to get a real treat!

[@randysalles2292]

Seen the Sons of Champlin many times from the late 60s into the Winterland yrs.....my brothers band was supposed to open for them in my hometown but covid took care of that!!!

[@motowngirl5891]

Still have the album THE SONS 1968

[@rubicon-oh9km]

I've loved Chicago for years and am beginning to think Cetera wasn't the only one with the ego issues. Pankow, Lamm and Loughnane, the original core still left in the band, seem to have pretty inflated heads as well. Sad to hear.

[@waltersimmons946]

Cetera didnt have an ego, he just wanted to play with people that contributed to Chicago, that's not a crime, the RRHOF was the one who screwed up.

[@CharlieRicker24]

As a youth, I loved Chicago. During this pandemic, I have gone back and re-listened to their albums and watched the documentaries. I always loved Cetera and what he brought to the band. IMO, the horn section and Lamm was their own undoing. Cetera, Foster and Champlin made Chicago relevant again and it seems the remaining originals have little gratitude.

[@RG-hf4et]

@@CharlieRicker24 The remaining originals were/still are jealous of the Foster/Cetera connection plus the fact thst MTV made Peter a star as the front man singing. F/C were working their asses off while the others were high & Lamm was awol. They should be thankful Foster brought the band to a new level. Then Lamm has the nerve to be critical about 17 and resented Foster. Well, were the hell were you, RL? I don't see any of the original members complaining about their paychecks after 17. In fact, they're still playing & cashing in of all of Peter's songs at every concert. Lamm & Pankow can eat crow!! POS.

[@lamarravery4094]

@@RG-hf4et True, so true. Lamm and Pankow wrote the earlier hits, then went downhill. Cetera rose up and out did those two in the mid 70s to mid 80s. Don't blame Peter for being sober and trying to get the band successful again. Seraphine also deserves some credit for getting the band going again,I believe he went and got Foster and Champlin.

[@berliner0]

@@lamarravery4094 too true

[@jamescrouch3217]

Great stuff John 👍🏼

[@RosemaryStanley2070]

Waiting to hear the next one

[@lamarravery4094]

Chicago remastered the 3 albums from David Foster years? Chicago trying to rewrite history, lol. You might as well take out 80% of the songs from those albums since he cowrote them, lol.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Living for Love has no filler. Buyin it from Qobuz

[@JerryGreuel]

Great video! brand new to the channels.. 😎

[@walther9161]

His “hard habit…” song has always been amazing.!

[@thekriskokid]

Not amazing...a really good pop song, but.not.amazing. Introduction was amazing!

[@knownote]

It was amazing to me that Chicago had complete control over their documentary and STILL came across like jerks.

[@bruin4937]

Awesome interview and channel, John - Liked and subscribed.

[@RockHistoryMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks

[@paulmiller3885]

Enjoy Bills solo and Chicago albums. Shame about the fallout

[@louismarcianti4659]

No

[@lamarravery4094]

I wonder if Bill knows that you can still fly to Houston, lol. I'm still flying, I leave my mask on.

[@hansumjoe]

btw, thx for not calling me when you made it to Houston!!!

[@fanmaxis3004]

6:28 looks like Toto's get up and go got up and went now

[@aprilgosa5779]

Bill is 76 oops my bad but still he fought cancer he is a boss

[@mattdawg83686]

I asked Bill’s wife Tamara about the Hall of Fame induction, and Bill never even received an invite for it. 28 years in Chicago, and they acted like it never happened.

[@pthompson515]

All I would say is that the inductees were the original seven.

[@RG-hf4et]

If the original members on stage had any class ( which they don't except for Danny), each past member could have and should have been thanked. How long would it take to say thank you?

[@djmylesmatisse]

Even though I love the David Foster era of 16, 17 and 18, i'm not interested in listening to the Cetera ballads on 16 and 17...Only the uptempo songs. While I loved Foster's production sound then, with his work with The Tubes' "The Completion Backwards Principle" being a highlight, I feel the ballads he filled 16 and 17 with took the Blues, Horns, Prog, Rock and Groove that put Chicago firmly on the map too far out of their sound. By 18 the overly polished synth meets horns sound really commercialized their sound and turned them into a very, very different band. While I really dig 18 and still listen to it for its sound, production, arrangement and emotion, I'm not sure at the end of the day if it was appropriate for ANY producer to take Chicago down that road. But, you know it was the 80s and many bands changed their sound (Heart) to fit in with the times. Looking back, maybe Foster should've taken 18 in a more Tubes direction. Aggressive, Rockin', Experimental and with Horns and Blues at the forefront...AND with NO ballads on the entire album except maybe ONE.

[@bullhurly7741]

Those ballads were what put Chicago back on the map and coin in their pockets! The band may resent Foster but as Foster has stated, the band is working off the backs of those albums.

[@bulldogdave]

@@bullhurly7741 No offense, I don't know how old you are or how much Chicago history you know but... Chicago had many successful albums before Foster, and 17 is the only one worth anything from the Foster years. And like Myles said, the upbeat stuff is why I even own a copy of it. Foster did not put them on the map, they were already, Yes, they had a slump after Terry died but then Peter decided he wanted to be "heartthrob" in the 80s so everything was done with him as the main star. I am not saying what Foster did has no merit, but he (or anyone else) is talking shit if they think the only reason Chicago still sell tickets is because of Foster.

[@lamarravery4094]

@@bulldogdave You're forgetting something very important. Before you give credit to the other band members, you have to remember in the mid 70s, early 80s most of them were coke addicts, they were burnt out and were tired from all the constant touring. For them to be involved in a more upbeat progrock album would've required David to write all the tunes since they were in no condition. But David saw the talent in Cetera's golden voice and knew that was the ticket to success and Peter shines on the love ballads so do more ballads. David's the producer, it was his job to make those albums sell and he succeeded.

[@bullhurly7741]

@@bulldogdave I do know my Chicago history pretty well ( I am 54 years old ) and know their vast catalogs of hits prior to David Foster. The point is is that the ship was sinking fast and they were able to re-invent themselves even though it went from being a rock band with horns to being a pop band. No denying their greatness before Foster came along.

[@julensdad]

Cool

[@andrekunkel1520]

People wonder why the old core of the band did not like Bill Champlin but, he was “smuggled” into that group, hidden in the belly of a Trojan Horse named David Foster. Imagine your producer making line up changes to your band, without asking you whether you’re ok with that. Then he calls his other pals in Toto to play the music. These guys, although undoubtedly in a slump, were no rookies and had 12 multi million seller albums under their belts when Foster was still playing bar mitsvahs. I can see how alpha male James Pankow would have resented feeling his role in the band diminished, threatened by the power triumvirate of Foster, Cetera and Champlin. It, ultimately, ended up costing Danny Seraphine his gig. Champlin was never a team player and can constantly be heard on live recordings over “embellishing” his melodies to the point of unrecognizeability as well as constantly vamping over top of other vocalists leads. He is a very needy and insecure performer. Always having to over puff himself up. “Look at me! I can sing too!” I think Champlin is wise to remain a solo act. There is no room, really, for extra male singers in his world. He does remain, however, a great vocalist. And as far as Chicago is concerned, I think that long time vocalist / keyboardist, Lou Pardini is underrated and under appreciated.

[@aprilgosa5779]

stupidest thing was getting him out of the band he made Hard Habit to Break and Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love and Look Away huge hits my 3 favorites songs I mean Cetera was good but when Bill's vocal came on in Hard Habit to Break it was killer

[@sandmanbub]

@Whoop!!

[@pthompson515]

Great talent but as a Chicago fan I could never stand his open disdain (including on stage, in front of paying fans) for the Chicago gig.

[@waltersimmons946]

Bill didn't have a disdain for playing with Chicago, with exception to Cetera and Seraphine, the others seemed to have a disdain for him, comments like "If this guy gets a hit, we're never gonna get rid of him". But ironically Champlins voice is on most of their hit releases , during the post Cetera era with these ungrateful egotistical nitwits, Bill said being in Chicago was "steady work" and I believe him.

[@doninmichigan]

You got any examples of that?

[@prowlprime]

It's shameful how Chicago has treated Bill. The way they interpret that era of the band is just so absurd. No one made them do it. They chose to do it. And they had to do it or else Chicago would have disappeared just like most of the other rock bands from the 70s. Music changed and evolved, and they changed and evolved to survive.....and make LOTS of money. Heart did the same thing. If they feel so bad about that era, they should donate all of their money and wash their hands of it. But they won't because they're hypocrites.

[@willard2729]

Bill openly disdained Chicago from the beginning. He called it his day job. Sorry The Sons never made it and Chicago did

[@don4476]

Wait until people learn the truth. Maybe they'll finally wake up.

[@bgthtr6404]

Bill & Jason are the BEST Chicago vocalists. Love Peter but Bill & Jason are the best vocalists Chicago ever had.

[@willard2729]

😂

[@nikkivenable1856]

The David Foster era was my favorite era and it's not even close!

[@patrickhozjan7531]

I'd like to ask Bill, who is the problem is in Chicago? like who calls the shots? I bet its James

[@thekriskokid]

Most of the Foster stuff was not great from a creative standpoint, but very commercial and made everyone a lot of money,but so what. Terry even thought way back, that the band was losing it's creative edge. Foster pushed them over the edge and know what do they have?

[@Shellinois]

He reminds me of my father after a few. They're the same age.

[@billjackson1317]

I'll take the sons of Champlain better.

[@nengcikcomel1151]

David foster

[@Solarian-k3s]

Who cares what he thinks...28 years with a legendary band and he complained...disgusting.

[@mega00760]

Foster did two things for Chicago made them relevant again and destroyed the original vib of the band

[@pascaljeanne6520]

Bill is great , but his solo albums are not good ! ok you have one ou two songs (ballads) very tasteful but not entire album ! with chicago he was good ! but solo...

[@jbmorgan57]

Loved his musicianship but never liked his vocals.

[@nickf2170]

Bills Holy Roller style of singing just was not a match for Chicagos music. He should have stuck to church and TV commercials.

[@billbrandine5857]

You mean the Chicago Tribute band. The greatness of Chicago died with Kath, and the pop Chicago that remained ended when Cetera left. The rest was a cover band. Anyone who doesn't know that is in pop-delusion-land. Champlin's peak was early with his own great bands that I really liked. One person's informed opinion.

[@willjones6400]

Cool story

[@kineahora8736]

Agree, pop Chicago sucked. I only liked Transit authority and the next 1 or 2. Cetera was elevator stuff. Reminds me of Dennis DeYoung.

[@justatalismanpassingby4106]

@@kineahora8736 um, Babe, First Time, The Best of Times and Don't Let It End were the only Ballads DeYoung wrote for Styx!

[@pascaljeanne8002]

bill champlin is a great musician ...with chicago ! i mean his personnal music is cool but no songs really ! it sounds good but no hit !

[@pascaljeanne8002]

and chicago the band doesn't exist anymore , just listen to the last opus ! it sounds like somethin else !

[@sspbrazil]

David Foster may have increased the bands bank accounts, but he did ruin the band and virtually none of that era of the band holds up at all.

[@desertdetroiter428]

Yep. Schmaltzy crap.

[@derhandtrommler]

this guy is pure velveeta to me. Don't like anything about him.

[@fry9700]

This guy might be singlehandedly responsible for taking Chicago to their lowest of lows. Cheesy, sappy love songs, each worse than the last.

[@billswitzer1516]

He's a very talented guy, but agree with fry9700 he and David Foster's time, with Chicago, actually changed, and ruined what made Chicago great in the first place. Neither of them belonged with Chicago. Don't dislike either one of them, but it was not a good fit.

[@ronherrera8327]

Chicago had to reinvent itself in the early and mid-80s. You have to understand this is a band that had its Genesis in the mid 60s. How many bands do you know from that era that are still making music.

[@RG-hf4et]

Too bad if you people don't like the "sappy" love songs. A lot of people did and still do and those "sappy" love songs are still contributing to their paychecks. Get over it already!! Geez. There are more important things in life to bitch about like what is happening at our nation's border!!!

[@bassmickeyd]

"If I didn't make this album I go out and shoot people." ... That's a very poor choice of words Bill

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Dear God he was kidding!! Lighten up and quit being so butthurt.

[@thetruthchannel349]

@@rubicon-oh9km *I shouldnt be surprised that some dullard would take that statement seriously. I cant relate to people anymore. Everyones a politician in 2021*

[@gmwforce1972]

In times like these, it was a poor choice of words but he immediately said he really wouldn’t do something like that- and I don’t care if he was joking. I thought he was going to say that he would have climbed up and jumped off. Let’s just be happy that he didn’t hurt himself or anyone else ha ha (now that is a joke).