Robert Lamm (Chicago)- Interview Outtakes THREE (1986)

Rare, unseen interview outtakes (from September 1986) where Robert Lamm of CHICAGO discusses varied topics including the recent departure of Peter Cetera, addition of Jason Scheff, Carnegie Hall, songwriting, technology, music videos, acting and a lot more. Interesting stuff. Enjoy!
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[@amandalively1]

He is so handsome still to this day!

[@Anamcara6111]

Him and Jason Scheff!

[@mrsmacca126]

Always adored and respected Bobby. Such integrity. Excellent Tate’s in friends, also- Carl & Gerry

[@summerboy1976]

Integrity !?!? Are you kidding me ! He loses all integrity when he says that the group got better with every change. What the fuck is the matter with you people?

[@TAXENGINEER]

Bobby is a class act indeed!

[@60s70sChicagoRock]

Robert's words are always very carefully chosen and he obviously loosened up toward the end! (Pt. 1 he seemed a bit uncomfortable or preoccupied.) This is great footage, ChiKid--thanks for posting!!

[@vanibat]

Would be nice if Chicago could sound jazzier again like it used to in the 70s, rather than too pop like now. Anyhow, this man has helped keep the group together and going on until now. And he is always so refined and effortlessly charming. Thank u very much for sharing this.

[@imeldaennis3220]

Robert seemed uncomfortable...unsure... Indecisive...he was always so confident... Chicago didn't improve with the changes...gave us great songs from Peter though

[@summerboy1976]

I know Robert give me a fucking break. You gonna stand there and say every time the group has gone through a change it has gotten better. Now you’re insulting and assaulting us, The Chicago fans. How the fuck can you stand there and say that with a straight face. I think Peter Cetera must really be right about what he says about you guys. And actually what he stops himself from saying about you guys. One thing I know for sure, even though I love Chicago up to hot streets. You guys that threw Danny out of the group were fucking cowards

[@lindaloe]

LOVE ROBERTS VOICE!!

[@thekriskokid]

21st century...lol! At the time it probably seemed very forward looking. I need to find the video and watch it. Richard would have been an interesting addition!

[@kidderminsterbro]

hey CK69 thanks for sharing a great blast from the past. peace, rich

[@lindastjohn5007]

Great interview!

[@WrestlingHeretic]

I just checked it out. Wow. Just, wow.

[@grassroots8269]

Hunk with great hands.. would love you to sing Beginnings to me lol :) 💞💕💞

[@60s70sChicagoRock]

@79Saints Agree--most hardcore fans relate to CTA and through Chicago VII. And the 'change' in their music was noticeable before Kath died. There are two good interviews with Cetera, one on my channel (from 1995), and another recent one from the channel HoustonPBS(InnerVIEWS). In both, Peter states that he had left Chicago because of musical differences--he wanted to record a solo album (didn't want to continue touring), the group would not let him and he was forced out(?)

[@lindaloe]

That's SO 😁 😂 Funny!! PETER Squashed His Balls!!

[@hfjjor3681]

Sounds like a passive aggressive slip.

[@lamarravery4094]

Doubt that really happened.

[@lindaloe]

I Believe Robert!!

[@lamarravery4094]

@@lindaloe He probably made up that story since there was some animosity about Peter leaving the band at the time.

[@waltersimmons946]

​​The video STAY THE NIGHT was made long before Cetera was forced out in July 1985. Lamm I believe is telling the truth. The video for that song according to Cetera was shot on a Sunday and there were a lot of wild insane stunts going on in the actual video. I could see a few mishaps t (in my mind)taking place during the making of any video shot outdoors. ​@@lamarravery4094

[@Ladyranger]

I'm here SIR ROBERT

[@Ladyranger]

landed here this morning D.K.L.

[@lindaloe]

THIS HUNK REALLY DOES HAVE GREAT HANDS!! HES ADORABLE TOO!!

[@MrJsfingers]

Tired of people bashing Foster. He is/was one of the best producers in the 80’s. And he can play his butt off. Go listen to Al Jarreau or some of Michael Jackson’s stuff. He knew Chicago’s sound had to be changed if any record label were to support their record. Horns were a thing of the past. It was a different era. Some have forgotten, before Peter started writing hit ballads, it was Pankow who was the balladeer (Just You N Me, Colour My World).

[@waltersimmons946]

Peter outdid Pankow on the ballads. Cetera went No 1. Uh, 4 times lol.

[@julia.vasilieva]

Kath also wrote a lot of songs about love but they were ok)

[@summerboy1976]

You say that horns were thing of the past, but horns were already in the past, when Chicago came around. And don’t tell me blood sweat, and tears was around, so I must be wrong. And anyway, blood, sweat and tears sucked. Chicago got it right. With perfect chemistry ! Most of the time

[@joannthompson3764]

alright Bobby

[@60s70sChicagoRock]

@79Saints Well, Foster came along with Warner Bros. for Chicago XVI. Yes, the group continued in the direction of the 'power ballads' b/c that was the mainstream of the 80's-early 90's. (And I wasn't arguing about their post-Foster music.) SOS was a refreshing change & too bad it took so long to release. If you think THESE are 'power ballads,' then you are entitled to your opinion. I still say Cetera left/was fired from Chicago to do HIS 'Foster' ballads.

[@60s70sChicagoRock]

@WH - how funny! :D

[@60s70sChicagoRock]

@79Saints PS - Nothing personal, but it is quite obvious which fans gave up their loyalty after Terry Kath died. I saw the band with Kath, but even though they were never the same afterwards, I still believe they continue to produce great music.

[@drillbag]

Oh Bobby.....

[@WrestlingHeretic]

@bze2nlz1 Yes. He's very tactful and politically mindful. In the last part of the interview he doesn't say anything unkind about David Foster. In later years, though, we would find out that Lamm had a great deal of reservations about Foster.

[@steeveomatic]

WrestlingHeretic Yes, and he's definitely the most diplomatic member of the band. He had good reason to have some reservations concerning David Foster, considering that Bill Champlin was brought into the band to help with keyboards. Lamm resented Foster bringing Champlin in and believed that it was the first step in pushing him out of the band. Whether that was drug-fueled paranoia or an initial plan of Foster is unclear. By Chicago 17 was recorded, all differences between Foster, Lamm and Champlin had been put aside. Another reason might have been the fact that most of the original material penned by Lamm for what would've been on Chicago 16 was completely sacked from the lineup and replaced with Foster's sugar-shock power ballads that promised a guaranteed profit with commercial success.

[@steeveomatic]

WrestlingHeretic If you want a completely unfiltered account of the goings-on inside Chicago between 1967-1990, the person to ask would be Danny Seraphine. I've been in love with Chicago's music since I was in grade school and would LOVE to spend an evening and share a case of beer with Seraphine and take it all in. I'm sure he'd pull no punches and I'd never see the group the same way ever again.

[@summerboy1976]

@@steeveomatic Yes you are absolutely right ! Danny is the Man !

[@scottmitchell3169]

Bobby Lamm is a good guy , but is disillusioned by his statement of the group getting better with the departure of Peter Cetera.

[@swday2024]

I fully agree with you Scott. PC sang 60+% of CHICAGO'S hits & his iconic voice could not be easily duplicated or replaced. Sorry Jason & other wannabes, there is only one original---Peter Paul Cetera!

[@waltersimmons946]

@@swday2024 Robert Lamm and James Pankow were jealous of Peter Cetera, that's why he's trying to hype up the post Cetera lineup. It was a dumb statement by him, because everything with exception of "Hard habit to hard to break " was sung and co written by Cetera did well. After Cetera left every song that was single except "What kind of man would I be"? was written by OUTSIDE WRITERS and Lamm didn't lead vocal not one single song that was a release before or after Cetera left. In my opinion, Lamm would've bombed as a solo act.

[@lindaloe]

👌 WOW! ROBERT LAMM IN HIS PRIME!!

[@grantbarnes6004]

John Travolta?

[@floatsting20]

No Robert has talent

[@scribbled309]

I love Robert... LOVE Robert. But to say that the band has improved musically as a result of each change they've gone through...? C'mon...

[@mariagilligan7133]

When Terry Kath left it wasn't Chicago. David Foster ruin the band and it's songs.

[@mariagilligan7133]

The way Robert Lamm explained when Terry was not here anymore , they wanted to quit. He explained there were so many people and families counted on this band . I just wish they didn't become soft rock.

[@fieldysgrl98]

@@mariagilligan7133 David Foster saved Chicago. Without him Chicago would have died in the early 80s.

[@mariagilligan7133]

@@fieldysgrl98 That's maybe true. I hated Chicago music then . A lot of people did. I guess without Terry Kath Chicago was not Chicago anymore.

[@waltersimmons946]

@@mariagilligan7133 Chicago was actually going down before Kath died, with drugs and lack of strongs songs. I bought Chicago Eleven on cassette in 1990, It was Kaths last album from 1977 . Cetera's " Baby what a big surprise " and Kath on "Little one" were ballads but in my opinion the best two songs on that album. In the 80s they were still good but they "HAD" to change. The music industry in the 80s were trying to get away from the 70s. Cetera's and Foster did what they had to do to not only save the band but keep it relevant. Nobody seems to think about that.

[@sharondehnz2848]

poor Peters balls

[@jonshonebarger5707]

The band did not improve post Cetera.

[@MillerGenuineDraft1980]

Did somone say Peter Cetera left Chicago due to musical differences what musical differences. Peter's solo material sound exactly like the garbage Chicago would record on Chicago-17 and on with the exception of some great songs from Stone Of Sisyphus there last good album was Chicago-16 thank god for Bill Champlin

[@MillerGenuineDraft1980]

All The Years and Plaid are awesome

[@brianknickerbocker8518]

He had balls ? not buying it.not the way he stares into the stars while singing those crappy ballads.

[@fieldysgrl98]

You sound jealous