Chicago Members, Gear & Sound

American pop rock/jazz fusion band

Genre

Rock Pop Jazz Pop rock Soft rock Folk rock Hard rock Classic rock Yacht Rock Aor Jazz rock album rock mellow gold adult standards

Members

Select a Chicago band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Terry Kath

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

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Peter Cetera

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist Composer

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Robert Lamm

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

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Dawayne Bailey

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Groups:

Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

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Keith Howland

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

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Walfredo Reyes, Jr.

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Santana Traffic

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Jason Scheff

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

It Was Fifty Years Ago Today Rake and the Surftones Generation Radio West Coast All Stars

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Danny Seraphine

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

California Transit Authority

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Bill Champlin

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Sons of Champlin West Coast All Stars

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Tris Imboden

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Firefall Kenny Loggins Band Honk

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Daniel de los Reyes

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Earth, Wind & Fire Zac Brown Band

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Lou Pardini

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist Composer

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Jeff Coffey

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist Composer

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Brett Simons

Roles:

Bassist Composer Music Producer

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Drew Hester

Roles:

Drummer

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James Pankow

Roles:

Composer

Needs more gear

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Lee Loughnane

Roles:

Singer

Needs more gear

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Donnie Dacus

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

The Yellow Payges

Needs more gear

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Laudir de Oliveira

Roles:

Drummer

Needs more gear

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Ray Herrmann

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

The Brian Setzer Orchestra The Bill Holman Big Band Vinyl Hampdin Vine Street Horns Vic Lewis West Coast All Stars

Needs more gear

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Walter Parazaider

Roles:

Composer

No gear added

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Neil Donell

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

No gear added

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Walfredo de los Reyes

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Santana

No gear added

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Chris Pinnick

Roles:

Guitarist

No gear added

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About

Chicago is an American rock band that emerged from the vibrant music scene of Chicago, Illinois, in the late 1960s. Known for their innovative blend of rock, jazz, and pop, the band originally included Terry Kath (guitar, vocals), Peter Cetera (bass, vocals), Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), Walter Parazaider (woodwinds), and Danny Seraphine (drums). Over the years, Chicago has evolved with several lineup changes, yet consistently maintained their distinct sound characterized by intricate horn arrangements and melodic songwriting. Their music spans genres like rock, jazz-rock, and pop, making them one of the most successful and enduring bands in rock history.

How to Sound Like Chicago

Chicago's sound is marked by a rich and dynamic fusion of melodic rock and sophisticated jazz elements. Their music often features layered horns and vibrant rhythms, creating a lush and expansive sonic landscape. The use of Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitars by Terry Kath, paired with effects like the Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter, adds a distinctive texture and depth to their sound. The Hammond B-3, played by Robert Lamm, contributes to the soulful and warm undercurrent throughout their tracks. Musicians aiming to emulate Chicago's style should focus on blending clean, melodic guitar tones with complex horn arrangements and rich, harmonic keyboards to capture the essence of their iconic sound.

Discography

Chicago Transit Authority

1969

Chicago II

1970

Chicago II (Steven Wilson Remix)

1970

Chicago III

1971

At Carnegie Hall

1971

Chicago V (Expanded & Remastered)

1972

Chicago VI (Expanded & Remastered)

1973

Chicago VII (Expanded & Remastered)

1974

Chicago VIII (Expanded & Remastered)

1975

Live In Japan

1975

Chicago X

1976

Chicago XI

1977

Hot Streets (Expanded & Remastered)

1978

Chicago 13 (Expanded & Remastered)

1979

Chicago XIV (Expanded & Remastered)

1980

Chicago 16 (Expanded Edition)

1982

Chicago 17 (Expanded Edition)

1984

Chicago 18

1986

Chicago 19

1988

Twenty 1 (Expanded Edition)

1991

Night & Day: Big Band

1995

Chicago XXVI: Live in Concert

1999

Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be, Santa?

2003

Love Songs (Deluxe)

2005

Chicago XXX

2006

Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus

2008

Live in '75

2011

O Christmas Three (2023 Remaster)

2011

The Nashville Sessions

2013

Now (Chicago XXXVI)

2014

Chicago II - Live on Soundstage

2018

Chicago Christmas (2019)

2019

Chicago at Carnegie Hall - Complete (Live)

2021

Born For This Moment

2022

Chicago Christmas Complete

2023

Greatest Christmas Hits

2023

Chicago At The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts, Washington D.C. (9/16/1971) [Live]

2024

Get the Chicago Sound

Want to sound like Chicago? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.