Even as Robert Lamm celebrates the debut of a long-awaited new Chicago single, the band’s 45th anniversary looms — along with questions about staging a Beach Boys-style reunion of its original surviving members.
Chicago has officially released released “Somethin’ Comin,’ I Know”, its first new music since 2006’s Chicago XXX. The track is to be part of a forthcoming record being produced by Hank Linderman, who has worked with the group on recent Christmas recordings and with Lamm on 2008’s The Bossa Project.
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Danny Seraphine enthuses about the new addition of horns to his group California Transit Authority, something that completes a musical circle for the Chicago alum.]
Original guitarist Terry Kath died in 1978, the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As for getting back together with Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine, who also helped found Chicago in 1967, Lamm says he’s reluctant to close the door completely.
Still, such a reunion seems highly unlikely.
In fact, Lamm says he’s already been rebuffed in such discussions with Cetera, after suggesting that the bassist rejoin Chicago — or even that he appear on a series of dates as a duo with Lamm. “He doesn’t seem to be interested, because he doesn’t like to do extensive touring,” Lamm says in this clip. “He likes to tour when he likes to tour. Again, I would never say never but I will say, I would be surprised.”
As for Seraphine? The drummer has since founded California Transit Authority, a group that shares a historical link in its name — Chicago was originally called Chicago Transit Authority — and within its core sound. Lamm says that makes things more complicated. “I think, to a certain degree, Danny Seraphine has kind of burned his bridges with us by deciding to compete — which is fine,” Lamm says. “By the way, I admire what his band is doing.”
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I don’t think Peter has any interest at all, whatsoever, in a reunion. When approached I’ve heard that his compensatory demands have been more than a little outrageous. I don’t think this is because he’s a greedy or arrogant man but because he really doesn’t want to do it. He makes demands he knows they’ll refuse anyway so he doesn’t actually ever say, “no.” And I think he does this partially as a perceived courtesy to them. I don’t think he believes they legitimately want a reunion either and this way they can tell the fans, “We at least tried… his demands were too outrageous.”
Having never met Cetera in person this is just a theory.
Danny burnt bridges?!?!?!?!? They fired him. Regardless of the reasons he was let go, and we all know what they are, I don’t see what he’s doing now as being out of line. They kicked him out and then when he makes music similar to theirs he’s burned his bridges. Competing? Really? It’s no competition. Danny’s CTA currently blows the socks off of Chicago.
Yeah you’re right on that. Seraphine’s latest just torches anything Chi could come up with.
“Yeah you’re right on that. Seraphine’s latest just torches anything Chi could come up with.”
Have you heard CTA, II, III, V, VII and so on.
“Yeah you’re right on that. Seraphine’s latest just torches anything Chi could come up with.”
Have you heard CTA, II, III, V, VII and so on.
Yes, this was the stuff Danny was instrumental in creating when he was with Chicago! What have they done since he left that even comes close to his latest Full Circle cd? Simple answer is nothing!! Listen to the live performances of each, “Chicago” sounds like a poor imitation lounge act trying to cover themselves. CTA plays the music the way it was meant to be played! With all due respect (and I am not sure there is much respect due!) Lamm, there is no competition on any level, live or recorded, CTA blows you out of the water. Much better performances by much better musicians! I say this as a 42 + year Chicago fan!
I meant that Chi could come up with NOW.
YIKES! I didn’t know Danny had a non-compete clause in his contract.
I will never understand how in Gods name could Chicago ever fire Danny Seraphine. Danny was such a big part of their sound. Their sound will never be the same. I still listen to their old stuff. Since Danny left their sound doesn’t have the same groove. He was really special and they have to miss his playing.