Chicago...

Beginnings...

1966 : Walter Parazaider, James Pankow, and Lee Loughane meet while all are attending DePaul University in Chicago. After meeting Danny Seraphine and Terry Kath then finding Robert Lamm...The Missing Links are formed.

1967: With a hand shake and dreams, the band makes a commitment to "make it happen".  The band changes the name to The Big Thing.

They are encouraged by aspiring producer James William Guercio and admired by bassist Peter Cetera of  The Exceptions who later joins.

1968:The band moves to Los Angeles and becomes Chicago Transit Authority.

1969: Columbia Records gives CTA a record deal and recording begins for their first album with Guercio producing.
 

Original Members...

*Robert Lamm- Keyboards and vocals 1967-Present
Terry Kath- Guitars and vocals 1967-1978
Peter Cetera-Bass and vocals 1967-@1985
Danny Seraphine-Drums 1967-@1990
*Lee Loughnane-Trumpet 1967-Present
*Walter Parazaider-Woodwinds and more. "The other half of the three of them... "1967-Present

*James Pankow-Trombone "and wiggling hips..." 1967-Present

Terry Kath passed away in 1978.  He accidentally shot himself while cleaning, or playing around with one of the guns from his collection.  The lack of caution was quite likely drug usage.  Robert Lamm states "he had been up for a couple days...a six pack of beer..." ( Off the Record by Joe White)

Others...

Laudir D'Oliveira-Percussion
Donnie Dacus-Guitar and vocals
Chris Pinnick-Guitar
*Bill Champlin-Guitars, keyboards, and vocals
*Jason Scheff- Bass and vocals
Dawayne Bailey-Guitar and occasional vocals
*Tris Imboden-Drums
*Keith Howland-Guitar and local heartthrob...

My personal thoughts on Chicago...
Some band photos...
Pictures from meeting Chicago
A brief Chicago discography...

Some links to other Chicago web pages...

My Robert Lamm Web Page
A Chicago link list
The fan club
A Chicago page
The official Chicago Records site
Some Chicago audio files
Bill and Tamara Champlin
 

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