INTERVIEW - Jeff Coffey Explains His Chicago Exit

[@nickf9392]

Anyone who has followed Chicago has to be astonished at the bands touring schedule, longevity, popularity, and the monumental mountain of music they have produced during their career. I can't think of another band with those accomplishments all combined. The original members were truly a different breed.

[@davidshipes4247]

Jeffs my family and proud of what he has accomplished

[@dreadnaught90]

Good luck to Jeff Coffey. He is a very talented singer, songwriter and bass player. He'll continue to do well.

[@daleharapat4984]

Despite all of the recent trouble, I find myself listening to Chicago. Their music never ages....Just a shout out to the drummer from Brazil...He was amazing, yet the band kicked him out too....Chicago = the Mike Love of rock music, impossible to like on a personal side?

[@atp1962]

He really was a good fit for Chicago and them for him, to bad they couldn't have worked something out. Always hard to blend the new with the old. They could have easily cut new music with Jeff. I wish him well, chances like this seldom come along twice.

[@danielfronc4304]

Chicago, please do your best to get him back, if that's possible if the family issue is true. He is a fantastic live singer and the best replacement for Cetera that I've heard. Offer him a full partner's share in the band going onward. It's not like you're going to be touring or recording for that many more years. Do the right thing for your fans and go out on a high note (pun not intended). Please get him back.

[@michaelescareno7048]

I loved the studio recordings with Peter Cetera and Jason Scheff, but I thought Jeff Coffey was the best tenor vocal live Chicago ever had. Saw him with the band in 2016 and he nailed all all the vocals perfectly!!! Sad that he left the band.

[@semmcstevenson]

He was in the band for like 5 mins. Crazy.

[@fdrums60]

I had a chance to see him with Chicago in Tupelo Ms. I met him, seems like a nice guy. Enjoyed his time with the band. Also got to see him last year, as he was playing with former Eagles guitarist Don Felder. Great singer and player. He has some more new material coming out.

[@LuisMorales-xm6wc]

I love your interviews.Great videos!!

[@DracIsBack]

As much has he gets shit from some Chicago fans, that was the big thing that happened with Peter Cetera. His first daughter was born between the 16 and 17 tour. Then the 17 tour was scheduled to be twice as long as the 16 tour and wrap by the end of 1984. But more dates kept getting added through the late spring of 1985. Then the band got yet another offer for 100 dates, (another straight year of straight touring) long after the original 17 was supposed to end. That’s when the shit hit the fan

[@TruthHurts58]

hence the reason Booby, Jimmy, and Lee have been married so many times. Music before marriage.

[@brucear]

I've never heard it put that way before thanks for letting us know the similarities between Cetera and Coffeys experience. Now it makes perfect sense. Popularity and exposure increases demand. 17th album in Ceteras case, and Hof plus cnn documentary for Jeff's situation. It's a shame because Jeff was so very good vocally and musically as a bassist.

[@MrJsfingers]

Peter wanted to do a solo lp also and they’re like no way

[@lamarravery4094]

​@@MrJsfingersThe band and their management team were afraid of Cetera becoming a success, they didn't want him to leave, but he left anyway.

[@raybrown3510]

It was important to his family that he pass up a great opportunity that got even better. Right.

[@alswearingen323]

I saw them at the Hollywood Bowl in 1971 as a pimply-faced teen, and in St. Louis in 1994 or 1995 (I believe). They were a legitimate R&R band in '71. Later? Not so much. But I still own all their albums. There is a sweet spot right now playing for us baby boomers live. It won't last (and neither will we).

[@apgardude]

I saw Jeff perform with Chicago at Jones Beach, and he absolutely stole the show. Bass AND lead tenor vocals: a truly gifted performer. My guess? The Chicago partners / owners were making a LOT of money whilst paying him a relatively low salary. He deserved a cut of the action, but they said "no". So he said "bubbye".

[@lamarravery4094]

There's a hierarchy in Chicago. The originals make the most and Jeff wasn't and he didn't write any of the songs so he probably got paid as a hired hand. Too bad he didn't stay long enough, but he wouldn't have any clout to affect their sound.

[@anthonygentile8968]

Cetera can never be replaced

[@lamarravery4094]

It's amazing, for a band with 3 lead singers. Cetera sang like 90% of all their hits and they had alot of hits. He was the lead singer.

[@edleone5444]

He "left" basically because Robert Lamm couldn't stand all the attention he was getting (and all the attention Robert wasn't getting) at all the post-show "meet & greets." The epitome of pettiness, but true. And it's a shame you'll never read that anywhere. Jeff was the best thing that happened to Chicago in a long time. It's such a shame.

[@Lukather5150]

I agree that Jeff was the best thing that happened to Chicago in a long time. His vocals were so good and much truer to the original recordings made by Cetera than even Jason Scheff contributed. That’s coming from a huge Scheff and Champlin fan too. Just listen to Jeff on the 2018 Chicago live album and KZbin vids.

[@weareopen24hours]

Thought the same thing when I met RL.

[@steveparker5406]

Jeff is being kind. He knew what he was getting into with the heavy touring! I think it has to do with Lamm and probably Pankow to a lesser extent. Pankow can be hard to read, but Lamm seems to be the driving force there.

[@KAndrew636]

Pankow is the prick of the group- hatchet man! No matter how good the replacement Pankow runs the show & makes sure the originals keep making he money!

[@tonydegiuseppe9484]

Thats totally untrue. It was because of the CONSTANT TRAVELING AND TOURING.

[@chrisadams2246]

I think theres much, much more to this. Why have they lost four members in the last 9 years. And, two in one week. I think the original members are to demanding and feel that once you're in the band...that's it!!! you have to dedicate your life to it. I just think that theres something that's affecting the dynamics of the band. I really don't think the band is going to be around much longer.

[@highwaymaintainer]

Chicago is great, but sooner or later a dinosaur dies. He was a pretty good replacement for high end vocals. They sounded good, who knows what happens next. But they cant become a caricature of themselves.

[@JulyN78]

I'm a Peter Cetera fan. That said... After 30 years, I was ready to accept Jason as his own... Not the kid Peter put there to replace him. Yeah, I kinda was late to do that, but thing is that, cause he is actually a pretty good singer, I was ok in accepting Jeff way faster. And nowche's gone?!? I don't like changes.

[@juliejensen7370]

Better to have an intact family than all those alimony payments!

[@kenb5076]

I saw Chicago last night at thunder Valley. First time I had heard the current lead vocalist but I would take Coffey over him because even though new guy Blake hit the high notes. He didn’t even come close to Cetera. Jeff coffey had a stronger voice and I think Robert lamm’s voice is still there, but Getting weaker by the moment, but the band still sounded great

[@scottgiles7259]

Saw them summer of 2017 at St. Michelle Winery. Fantastic show. Must say, it will be hard to replace Jeff's singing. That's a fairly high and unique voice, in the Peter Cetera style. Too bad. Then again, I suppose if your Chicago you can find an adequate replacement, but it's an important part of the sound. We'll see....

[@rodeha1]

Saw Chicago last week having seen them two previous times fairly recently-pre-Jeff and with him. The quality pre-Jeff was bad; then saw them with Jeff and was amazed how much better the show was. Then without him last week- it was good but not Jeff Coffey.

[@timmccarthy5353]

Good for you, Jeff. Give my regards to Oblivion.

[@RCGoetzke]

That's actually what Chicago should rename themselves.

[@ZenyattaFan1]

It is obvious that there was more to him leaving than just the amount of shows. He admitted there were other factors. My guess is that one of the issues is that they were probably only paying him a salary and not giving him a full member's share of the concert proceeds.

[@steveparker5406]

Chicago just tours like crazy and the main (original) guys are very tight with each other, so it’s a tough circle to break if you join and can’t hang with the program. I think the non-originals are basically hired hands (and treated as such).

[@allanr6132]

Not going to really matter at this point. Chicago is pretty much done touring. No shows because of covid and Robert Lamm is 74 now. Just can't see them doing it next year in their mid 70's.

[@fieldysgrl98]

@@allanr6132 Uh they have concerts this month. Chicago aint done touring. smh. Also Robert Lamm is 76.

[@chriscianciolo5823]

@@allanr6132 - You gonna take that back yet? Robert may be 77 now, but I guarantee he’s in better shape than either of us. Barring some freak medical event (undetected stroke/heart issue/etc), I could see him going another 15 years. He’s in incredible vocal, mental, and physical shape.

[@AtheistCook]

these guys are in their 70s and they are doing 120 shows a year? at that age you should take it easy, i would do 50 to 60 shows a year, that is plenty, that is one reason why bands break up, excessive touring, . But management always see dollars signs. mental well being should be taken in consideration

[@lamarravery4094]

They love to tour, I think they get a high from touring. Plus the money they make.

[@CFKMAN]

Sorry I checked out of Chicago after they split from Peter Cetera in 1985. Terry Kath died & no Peter Cetera. To me Chicago ended in 1985

[@aarontrainor9918]

Carl Clandestine and Danny Left in 1990

[@MrJsfingers]

@@aarontrainor9918 they fired Danny

[@lamarravery4094]

I still am a Chicago fan after Cetera left. The band was more than Cetera, but Cetera was the voice and you really need the voice, without the voice you have an instrumental group.

[@daleharapat4984]

Rolling Stones are opposite of Chicago...Both very successful, but less acrimony. Lamm and Pankow have pushed themselves way to the back of the bus, despite writing amazing songs. True when you have so many people leaving then it starts to be about the original members....They just need someone with a good voice and treat them like an equal...The band was founded under the premise that members could not be kicked out...My how that has changed.

[@alswearingen323]

Yep. They are the best Chicago cover band (featuring a few original members) ever. That said, the real money these days is in live concerts. Covid has pretty destroyed that source of revenue, so they might as well get back into the studio and to try earn at least a little jack.

[@blanhamwdl53]

I’m sure a lot of it was money. When you join an established band as a replacement there is usually money equalities and especially when it comes to recordings and appearance tour money. The amount of dates just further cramped his creative abilities. But money usually pulls the trigger on leaving.

[@lamarravery4094]

In order to justify getting equal pay, one must contribute, songwriting mostly, Jeff hasn't written anything for Chicago or performed on an album.

[@gabrieltoneguitars9365]

So, what your saying is: There's an opening and I've got a chance to play bass and sing tenor lead for Chicago?

[@Cotronixco]

His saying?

[@dimitrikotsianas2852]

Is Jeff’s replacement Brett Simon( bass-wise) the youngest member in band now, I bet he’s not even 40 yet.

[@Playitstraight44]

I think touring is just the only means to generate revenue these days. If they filled bigger halls, they wouldn't have to play so many dates, so I think that factors into it big time. Its hard to play that many days out of the year and be balanced in life. Its easy to see why so many of them had addiction issues. Sounds like they have financial ones these days too, being on the road that much. I don't trust what I read online about their net worth because the most experienced bands hate the road and speak to that. So to be gone that long with few breaks at this stage of their life does not sound like a personal preference.

[@lamarravery4094]

He joined them at the wrong time, he should've joined Chicago in 2019 right before covid hit, that way there'd be less touring, lol.

[@he5975]

So it was about money.

[@randyduncan4004]

But he Had to know the schedule. He used Chicago imho. I do miss him tho

[@fredstriker2042]

For crying out loud, what's left of Chicago, is nothing but drama. Robert and James beating up on session guys. It's time to pack it in or the two of them start playing lounges

[@RCGoetzke]

And some people still wonder why Peter Cetera left Chicago in 1985.

[@ijeff2005]

Really? I thought Cetera's intentions were made pretty clear a long time ago.

[@MrJsfingers]

Robert G. According to Peter, they gave him an ultimatum; no more solo stuff strictly Chicago or you’re gone. He wanted to do both solo and Chicago stuff like Collins with Genesis

[@lamarravery4094]

​@@MrJsfingersDidn't Robert Lamm attempt that in the 1970s? He wanted to do a solo album and stay with Chicago too.

[@shanikabradley2870]

Chicago been over when Terry died and when Peter Cetera turn the band into some elevator music Chicago was over

[@RCGoetzke]

That elevator rained a lot of money.

[@fieldysgrl98]

to you. chicago was good when peter left and I'm a cetera fan.

[@lamarravery4094]

People must love elevator music, Peter's songs made them millions, lol. I, for one, am a Cetera fan.

[@shawncosmos5431]

80/90 + shows a year that can be between California and South Carolina and north and south and over sea’s is grueling.

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

Terry Kath was the original singer.(Not even a footnote mention?) Not Peter. Everyone else was the replacement. Isn't this Rock History music? Great interview. But Jeff was singer number 4? Or 5? Who's keeping track! Next time you talk to Bill talk to him about his band The Sons of Champlin. A groundbreaking band that that some say inspired Miles Davis to start the electric phase of his career. They were the bay area version of Chicago in 66. Now thats some history to explore.

[@lamarravery4094]

I disagree. There were 3 lead singers, Terry, Robert and Peter. All 3 had songs that were hits, but as time went on, Peter sang on all the hit songs and he became their lead singer.

[@sm26801]

Today's "musicians" !!! "Too much" touring!!

[@timfurnier7061]

It's sad that you as knowledgeable of music as you are perpetuate the myth that Cetera was the main voice of Chicago. He BECAME that, but he never WAS that. Go back and listen to those first albums. Cetera hardly ever sang their songs, and he even more seldomly wrote their songs. If Chicago had a main singer in the beginning, it was either Lamm or Kath. Even in the mid-seventies, Cetera wasn't the main voice of Chicago. They allowed Lee Loughnane to become a singer and to even have some prominence as a singer. They even had James Pankow sing rather than having one, main singer. The idea of Cetera becomes the focal point of the group didn't occur until after Kath died after Chicago XI. From "Hot Streets" until Chicago XVII........THAT was the Cetera Era!

[@hmk8996]

Peter was the main voice of Chicago hit singles.

[@lamarravery4094]

I agree, Cetera started as one of their three main singers. But as the yrs went on, the songs that Cetera sang on became the hits and he became the voice of Chicago.

[@kevgret]

Chicago has had the same touring schedule for the last 25 years. Why would he think they would cut back because of him. This guy is full of shit. Can't handle success don't get into the game.

[@saturdaysun10]

He said that the number of shows increased dramatically after Hall of Fame and documentary came out.