The Writing Life with Guest Bill Champlin

[@bixfisher]

Been following Bill since my high school years. 1968 and on. The best!

[@tombaker6082]

Bill was also the singer who sang the theme to the 80's TV Show In the Heat Of The Night - I loved that and his work with Chicago as well. Great voice!

[@decacards5250]

An underrated singer, one of the best soulful voices in music.

[@generay6807]

Been a fan of Bills since the Sons days. His solo work is some of the best music out there not to mention his work with Chicago. His voice was my favorite of all time. So soulful and he could rock too. He sang background vocals on Alice Cooper From the Inside. He wrote some beautiful songs. An all around musician. Thanks for the good times Bill.

[@airbloomamplifiers]

Yes. Loosen Up Naturally is a watershed. Stands alone as a one of a kind masterpiece.

[@PC160]

Always liked Follow Your Heart, too, and Welcome to the Dance.

[@ronniek6323]

Welcome to the Dance, to me, is his Sgt Pepper.

[@pampushki6580]

Total Legend.

[@davidnorman4923]

Bill paid his dues singing backing vocals and songwriting for others! His foster collaboration and Chicago is fantastic!

[@topsyturvyy4558]

For sure, such an enigmatic and fantastic voice.

[@ronniek6323]

I coulda watched another hour with Bill! That was great! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@rjsmith44]

Great interview! Awesome questions Steve and Bill seems like a down to earth superstar!! Thanks!

[@northbayguitar]

Wonderful interview, so enjoyed watching this. Thanks!

[@LeeTavMusic]

Fantastic, informative interview, absolutely loved that, thank you for just letting Bill speak, a truly great musician! 💥👌

[@Louie914]

The Legend! I respect this man!

[@thomasfredjackson1115]

T

[@mattfoley6082]

Met him 40 years ago during their Chicago 16 tour. He'd just joined Chicago. So talented. Every once in a while I'll hear him singing background vocals unexpectedly, e.g., Deniece Williams I've Got the Next Dance.

[@trc2812]

The first I was introduced to Bill was during his stint with Chicago. He has an unmistakable voice and style. Unfortunately, his success before and during Chicago rankled the Chicago core.

[@drumngolf]

Every time Bill mentions drug use, Stephen get's really nervous and tries to change the topic. Hahahaha. Great interview. Bill is very open...really cool.

[@twin_zodiac]

The golden voice ever...

[@grundid44]

Just curious, and please correct me if I'm wrong, was this guys mother a judge, who gave him lots of money?

[@stephenlong7122]

I'm host of the show and count myself lucky to have been able to interview Bill. But I have no idea about his mother or how to contact him at this point.

[@wsb3377]

Great!

[@chrischung2018]

Is this the 2065 version of Between Two Ferns?

[@keelanp53]

He looks likes an old Chinese man or Mrs. Bates

[@chessward4832]

keelanp53 lol!!!

[@IMCcanTWEESTED]

Maybe you didn't know that Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 (i think) right after his son (Bradford) died. The hair is possibly a wig since chemo leaves you as hairless as Sphinx Cat. Gotta respect his humility. I would be far too vainglorious to go on video for an interview. The guy is dedicated...and one of the blackest white dudes that ever graced the bay area. His B3 chops brings tears to my eyes.

[@rocknative70]

Bobby Hill You got it exactly right - He had been going through prostate cancer treatment and lost his hair. He still stayed busy, collaborating, traveling and playing, but the traveling was wearing him down, being in 4 bands. It’s why he respectfully bowed out of Danny Seraphine’s CTA this summer (Summer 2019). He’s a legend and he’s a nice man, if you ever get the chance to meet him. He talks his fans’ legs off, too, after-show/ back stage !!!

[@keelanp53]

@@IMCcanTWEESTEDI didn't know about his cancer. That's too bad.

[@IMCcanTWEESTED]

@@rocknative70-I hear ya. In '72 or '73 I dragged some friends down to see the Sons of Champlin play a gig with Foghat, Commander Cody, and a couple other bands in San Diego's Balboa Park. We got there super early and were boppin around the outdoor venue and saw these cool looking cats passing reefer around in the soundman's pit. I was like 17 or 18 but we walked over and I asked if they knew when the concert was going to start. They all busted up laughing and when the guy passing me a joint started talking I knew it was Bill Champlin. Very distinctive voice. I played it cool and didn't get all nervous and jittery like I normally do when I meet a musical hero. My friends just thought he was a roadie because he said something about getting a level on the Leslie and walked down to the stage and began noodling some hot R&B licks on his Hammond. My friends stood there all shell-shocked and dumb looking with their mouths hanging open. The Sons opened the show and they blew everybody away. They were like the band that other musicians came to hear. I emailed Bill and Tamara 12 years ago and he quickly responded. Really nice guy, like you say. I hope he's doing alright. It does suck getting old.

[@TheRanhughes]

I like his hair.

[@stephenlong7122]

Bill underwent chemo treatments. He said to me, "How do you like my hair? It's the best money can buy."

[@keelanp53]

A......noooooo!

[@Nostaljack]

He's Bill Champlin. I promise you that no one who really knows who he is cares even a little bit about his wig.

[@badgertale]

Love him...but what died on top of his head?

[@stephenlong7122]

I commented on Bill's hair and his answer was, "It's the best money can buy." I understood he'd undergone chemotherapy and lost his hair, at least temporarily.

[@badgertale]

@@stephenlong7122 Really? I didn't know that. I wish him good health...but, that thing on his head is just bad news all day long... Seriously, though, I wish him good health.

[@badgertale]

@@stephenlong7122 Thank you for telling us. I hope he continues to be in remission.

[@jadmann]

Bad, just bad.