Early Chicago- Peter Cetera

[TheCouchBassist]

So I've been listening to the first four or five Chicago albums. Holy cow were they a talented band. It's sad so many people hear the name Chicago and think only of their mid-80's ballads, let alone Cetera as a bass player. Amazing musicians, bassist and band (especially in the early days).

 

[Geri O]

Indeed.

 

[crab]

The smell of money is strong, huh? George Benson used to be a proper jazz guitarist. I think Kenny G. might have always been pap.

 

[mikewalker]

You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs
I look around me and I see it isn't so
Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs
And what's wrong with that...

 

[TheCouchBassist]

You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs
I look around me and I see it isn't so
Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs
And what's wrong with that...

Touché

 

[DWBass]

My band plays several pre 80's ballads tunes.

 

[burk48237]

Great Band and Peter Cetera was one of the great bass players of the Era. I would also argue Terry Kath was as good as ANYONE on guitar in the early 70's.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The smell of money is strong, huh? George Benson used to be a proper jazz guitarist. I think Kenny G. might have always been pap.

Kenny Gorelick got his start with the Jeff Lorber Fusion. They were commercial, but solid musicians.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Great Band and Peter Cetera was one of the great bass players of the Era. I would also argue Terry Kath was as good as ANYONE on guitar in the early 70's.

You could write a book on Chicago and EWF.

 

[daveyo]

I have loved the band Chicago since I was a kid,Peter Cetera is one of my favorite bassists,that guy and Terry Kath ruled.
Listen to questions 67 and 68.im still trying to figure out the bass in the middle of the song,thanks for posting,Chicago fan big time here
Dave

 

[IamGroot]

So I've been listening to the first four or five Chicago albums. Holy cow were they a talented band. It's sad so many people hear the name Chicago and think only of their mid-80's ballads, let alone Cetera as a bass player. Amazing musicians, bassist and band (especially in the early days).

Peter Cetera started out as a polka prodigy on accordion, before switching to guitar, then bass. He was extremely succesful as a rock bass player in HS. I think he picked up his jazz side from the bands he worked with. He didnt do the college big band schtick.

 

[tradernick]

The smell of money is strong, huh? George Benson used to be a proper jazz guitarist. I think Kenny G. might have always been pap.

If this implies that Cetera/Chicago or GB somehow 'sold out' when they decided to make a ton of money because they had the writing chops and talent to do so...I disagree.

If this suggests that when GB released material designed to sell a bit more so he could get some crossover bump for his live audiences he was less of a 'proper jazz guitarist' by doing so, I disagree.

If none of the above is accurate, please carry on.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Nathan East cites Cetera as a bass influence.
Wow, I wish I could sing like Peter!

 

[Remoman]

You could write a book on Chicago and EWF.

Danny Seraphine did on Chicago, "Street Player", read it, great stuff.

As it happens, a very close life long friend is the current bassist for Kenny Cetera's Chicago Experience. Lead by Peter's brother, who sang on 17 and toured with the band. My buddy and I are both huge Chicago fans, since high school, him following Peter, me Jimmy. He's been loving every minute of it, but has said some of the early stuff takes some real work to get down. And he's very accomplished himself.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago II are 2 of my desert island albums. The songwriting and musicianship of both albums is off the charts. But when Terry Kath died, my interest in the band waned. One of the most soulful players and very underrated singer.

 

[seilerbird]

Several years ago a box set of 9 Chicago albums was marketed as Quadio. It contained the first ten Chicago albums minus #4. They were all in hi res stereo and surround sound. The sound quality, the surround sound and the packaging are all as good as it gets. I got it for $95 when it first came out but now it is a rare collectors item. The bass on the first albums is to die for. I'm A Man rattles the windows.

https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Quadio-Disc-Blu-Ray-Audio/dp/B01EWGTEGS

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Holy cow were they a talented band. It's sad so many people hear the name Chicago and think only of their mid-80's ballads, let alone Cetera as a bass player. Amazing musicians, bassist and band (especially in the early days).

I will admit that until a few months ago, I was one of those people. My only impression of them was cheeseball balladeers of the 80s with weird high pitched vocals. Recently, here on talkbass, somebody posted an old live video recording of them and my mind was blown. Another benefit of TB!

 

[ezstep]

Great Band and Peter Cetera was one of the great bass players of the Era. I would also argue Terry Kath was as good as ANYONE on guitar in the early 70's.

They were untouchable when I heard them live. Funny, Kath was playing a Gibson 335 that night. Awesome.

 

[denton57]

Introduction is one of my favorite bass songs ever. What an era for bass players. Cetera, Squire, Oakley... my favorites

 

[Jimruth]

I admit I've become a big fan of a YouTube channel that is a group of Ukrainians doing tributes to early Chicago. Invalid Link Removed.