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He most certainly did!

Very cool, isn't it? It's always interesting to hear the "first draft," pre-album versions of these now-classic Chicago songs when they were first introduced to the public. Peter also originally sang "Poem for the People" when the band "previewed" that one for live audiences. Also, I agree about the production/mix of the newly released Kennedy Center concert album from '71. Unfortunately, this is the case with most of the Rhino Chicago releases, which Lee Loughnane (for reasons I don't understand) always participates in to some extent. That's likely why the horns sound more prominent in the mix than other instruments. The two main things I listen for when I stumble upon a vintage Chicago concert recording are Peter's bass and Danny's drums. Sadly, Peter's bass lines are so buried in this mix that you can only make out occasional notes (ARGH!), and at times, it sounds as if Danny was playing on cardboard boxes instead of toms. Major bummer. :-( I hope that's only because they couldn't improve upon the original master tapes and *NOT* because Lee was being spiteful toward Peter and/or Danny.

Lamm is singing a small part on this version. Cetera and Lamm also harmonize very well.

Of course Robert clearly sang (a little) on this historic public debut performance, but Peter obviously sang LEAD even on the verses (which Lamm would later sing on the album version and subsequent live performances).

If I can't tell the difference between Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm's voices, then something is terribly wrong. Ha ha! Yes, of course Robert clearly sang (a little) on this historic public debut performance, but what's so unique about it is that Peter (obviously) sang LEAD even on the verses (which Lamm would later sing on the album version and subsequent live performances). I'm not sure why you thought I wasn't able to recognize Robert's distinct voice (hardcore Chicago fan and concert collector since the late '90s) simply because I emphasized the fact that Peter sang lead on this version of the song. By saying that, I wasn't dissing or ignoring Robert's singing. I hope that's cleared up now?

@@Eighties_Child You missed my point. That's not a great live recording but Lamm has a part in that version even if it's an ad lib . I know both guys voices. I'll leave it here and I won't respond anymore .

Indeed it was, but then, the whole song is like one big massive Danny drum fill!

Absolutely! And well said.

Indeed, he did! And Buddy rarely complimented other drummers, so that says a lot about Danny's talent.

They can't even compare, especially Tris.

@@Eighties_ChildDanny was the perfect fit for Chicago. The other drummers they’ve had were/are great, but none were like Danny.

Tris and the other "Chicago" drummers were okay, but Danny definitely was great. He was as irreplaceable to their sound as Terry and Peter.

I definitely agree with your first sentence, but I'm not keen on the idea of a heavy metal cover of "Alive Again" (or anything, really-LOL). I can't even imagine how that would even work. Ha!

Chicago needed a guitarist 🎸. I'm glad Donnie Dacus stepped up while the band was still grieving. The distraction was worth it.

I doubt he was trying to replace Terry. He was probably trying to honor him and just have fun.

You didn't buy 16 or 17????

@@mattlindgren2886After Chicago 17 and Cetera left I kind of lost interest in the band. I still listened to them, but not the stuff after 17.

Yes, but they kill it even more here: th-cam.com/video/PnRBso6wCOg/w-d-xo.html (link to video is in the description)

@@Eighties_Child yup, saw that original airing!

Danny showing how and why he alone is Chicago's drummer.

@@Eighties_Child Truth

Indeed! That was almost always the case from the late '60s through 1985. To hear one of Cetera's greatest live vocal performances and an even more killer bass line, check out my "Street Player" upload (video can be watched by following the link in the description or pinned post).

That's the biggest truism among all these TH-cam comments.

Crazy you say that. I get it is incredibly sad what happened. But the song is arguably one of their finest

Maybe not quite the same but they sound GREAT here!!

I agree on all points. He's a super friendly and humble guy, but just speaking as a music critic, Jason Scheff's singing, particularly live, is mostly atrocious and brutal on the ears. That Chicago ever hired him, out of hundreds of possible options to fill the vacant lead tenor position in late '85, is one of the greatest mysteries of the music business. That job should have gone either to Mickey Thomas or Bobby Caldwell (both were in the running but ultimately declined-in fact, according to Scheff, Chicago told him that he didn't get the gig and that Thomas had been hired!), instead of a 23-year-old unknown who couldn't even reach Cetera's highest register. And Bailey . . . oh, man. What was the deal with *that* choice?! He was basically an Axl Rose impersonator with underwhelming guitar talent. Man, I often imagine what incredible music the band might have continued to record if Peter and Danny (and Chris Pinnick) had remained with the group, at least into the '90s. (All they had to do was allow Peter to record some solo projects on the side, not unlike what Phil Collins did with Genesis. Even Danny agrees that Chicago should have agreed to do that. Perhaps then Cetera would never have given up bass playing.) What hurts the most is knowing that they truly NEVER will play together again. All we can do now is dream . . . :-(

You nailed it, my friend.

True he's great, but have you watched this video featuring Leonid & Friends? Even Danny agrees that Javad is just super drumming during the song!

That he was a beast! Read his autobiography!

I was wondering the same thing!!!

The band sounds great here but Dacus was fired a year later. He never really fit in.

Please read the description, as well as my pinned post. Both contain a URL for the video download. The TH-cam video also features a pop-up notification (top right corner, near the beginning of the video) that points this out.

Check out the album Chicago 13, which features this classic song. You may also like "Thunder and Lightning," which is somewhat similar to "Street Player."

​@@Eighties_Childthey're both outstanding songs!

Bill's voice was great in the early '80s, particularly in the studio when paired with Cetera and ONLY WHEN he restrained himself and didn't over-sing like a goon (which, unfortunately, was most of the time). In the '90s onward, Champlin's voice deteriorated to the level of a croaking frog, probably due to years of chain smoking. I much prefer Robert Lamm covering Terry's vocal parts. In his prime, Champlin was really bluesy and soulful, but his gravelly voice doesn't sound anything like Terry Kath's, though. Terry's husky baritone was much smoother and very similar to the great Ray Charles'. In my opinion, Kath's voice was more irreplaceable than his guitar playing. Chicago's harmonies/sound have never been the same since his death. That said, they've still put out a lot of good music since '78.

You are so very blessed! Which year? Town and venue? And do you remember the setlist? :-)

@@Eighties_Child It was 1976 at the Omni in Atlanta. I don’t have the set list, but it was all their hits plus more. I was young and went with my big brother.

Sweet! Thanks for sharing! You must have caught their Chicago X tour. :-)

Thanks for the feedback, and I'm glad you appreciate Cetera, Pinnick, and Seraphine!

The Dynamic Duo!

Yes, but don't forget the equally prodigious talent of Peter Cetera, bassist extraordinaire!

Next to Peter and Danny, he probably was! Great rhythm guitar playing.

True!!!!

Nothing but the facts!

great!

Actually, it's even more insulting than you remember: Chicago wasn't inducted into the so-called "Rock and Roll" Hall of Shame until 2016! But it meant absolutely nothing (talk about "too little, too late"!), and as much as I wanted to see Peter finally reunite with his former band mates, I realize now that he made the right decision in not attending. The majority of people inducted into that farce didn't even play Rock and Roll music, and the lion's share of them didn't/don't have one ounce of the talent that the original Chicago had.

Pretty good? It smoked. Danny's drumming is above excellent! And the rest of the band was up at that level too!

I agree, Tom. The phrase "pretty good performance" is a bit of an injustice!