Chicago's Lead Singer Carousel: A Neverending Ride on a Windy City Bus
Ah, Chicago. The band, not the questionable deep dish pizza (fight me, Chicagoans). Known for their smooth sounds and horn-heavy jams, they've been a mainstay in the music world for decades. But here's a question that's likely never kept you up at night (but will now): How many lead singers has Chicago actually had? Buckle up, because this musical mystery is more tangled than a teenager's headphones.
The Early Days: A Three-Ring Circus (But Make it Melodies)
Let's start at the beginning, back in the groovy late 60s. Chicago wasn't always Chicago, believe it or not. They were originally a bunch of ambitious music school dudes calling themselves "The Big Thing" (not exactly confidence-inspiring). Eventually, they landed on the slightly-less-embarrassing "Chicago Transit Authority" (CTA for short). Fun fact: The actual CTA wasn't too thrilled about sharing a name with a rock band, so...Chicago it was!
Here's where things get interesting. The core group featured several talented dudes: Terry Kath (guitar and vocals), Robert Lamm (keyboards and vocals), and Peter Cetera (bass and, you guessed it, vocals). Basically, it was a vocal buffet. Imagine a band where everyone wants to grab the mic – a recipe for either beautiful harmony or epic arguments (we may never know).
The Revolving Door of Rock (and Maybe Some Roll):
Life (and bands) can be unpredictable. Sadly, Terry Kath passed away in 1978. Chicago, ever the troupers, kept on truckin'. This is where things get a little hazy. A succession of guitarists and vocalists hopped on board, like a neverending game of musical chairs. Bill Champlin joined in 1981, adding his own vocal stylings to the mix. Peter Cetera eventually set off for a solo career in 1985, leaving another vocal-shaped hole to fill. Jason Scheff answered the call, becoming the new lead singer.
The Grand Total: Who Can Keep Track?
So, how many lead singers has Chicago had? If you're counting the early days of "everyone and their brother on vocals," the number gets fuzzy. But if we stick to folks who held down the lead singer title for a significant stretch, we're looking at 4 or 5. It's a respectable number, but considering the band's long history, it feels like a revolving door of vocalists.
The Moral of the Story?
Chicago's music may be smooth, but their lead singer situation has been a bumpy ride. Who knows, maybe they should just have a mic stand with a "Lead Singer Today" sign. Hey, it could work!
