Goodness gracious, great trombone on fire! I just saw Chicago at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas, Feb 24, 2023!!!! I am 62 years old and consider it one of my all time favorite concerts. My husband was so sentimental over the lyrics and memories. I was impressed by the professionalism, skills and genuine enjoyment shown by the band. The energy of all band members is impressive. We are not spring chickens anymore. A body of work to be proud of for sure!
i AM so very happy that you enjoyed Chicago in 2023. I enjoyed the later Chicago in the early 2000's, they were professional and did sort of a "musical review" But this in no way compares to the late 1960s Chicago Transit Authority with Terry Kath and Robert Lamm.
My God, I’m watching this interview again for the twentieth time, at least, and it’s just as entertaining as it ever was. James has such an enthusiasm in his retelling of the story that he’s magnetic. And Joe, ever the gentleman, gently prods James in the desired direction and just lets him go, staying out of the way so the narrative can evolve as James remembers it. It’s perfection in journalism and oral history. RIP Joe Chambers, you were a class act. 👍
Got to meet the group in Houston thanks to my best friend. We stood around talking with James, Walt and Lee and the treated us like brothers for about an hour. One of the most amazing days of my life. Thanks for all the love...
James Pankow's horn arrangements on the early classic Chicago albums were extraordinary, arrangements you could actually sing along to, and I find it impossible to imagine any of those songs without them.
I kind of liked CTA when they came out, so went over to Tanglewood in MA. for the 7/21/70 show that’s on TH-cam. Pankow was a wild man, Terry Cath was absolutely off the charts good, Cetera actually rocked and the rest were as tight as anything I’d ever seen. Just crazy good. Nobody wanted to go home, and Bill Graham had to kick us out due to town curfew. One of the best … shows… EVER !
Happy, happy memories! Wish I could have been there! At least I got to rock my brains out to early CTA listening to my cousin's freakin' awesome stereo system in her basement.
Great memories of this band, Joe. In Sept. 1969 "CTA" (Chicago Transit Authority) was the first album I bought at The Defiance College bookstore my freshman year. By the time they released their 3rd album my wife and I made sure we saw them live at Fort Wayne, Indiana's Memorial Coliseum. Our love for horn-based rock started with The Outsiders "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966, and continued with Chicago's Buckinghams before we graduated to BS&T and CTA.
Joe, your interviews are not just informative, they are historic. You are preserving the music stories of an entire generation. This interview with James Pankow is one of the best.
I keep saying this Joe and in a modest way you always play it down but I’m going to say it again. This is a very fine and interesting interview with Jimmy who’s equally modest and self effacing. Joe, your interviewing technique is a great example to some others. Ask the right questions, let the guest speak and the interview flow.
Those first 11 albums of Chicago - the Terry era - are just so incredible. I've seen the band in concert probably 10 times, but I'll always regret not being able to see them with Terry. It's great to hear Jimmy rapping about those years, still with such enthusiasm!
I absolutely LOVE this interview... Thanks for this Mr. Pankow, your stories mean so much, from the initial band formation onward. I followed CTA and all the guys for years, and lived the release of every record from the first until about the tenth... never losing faith or interest, I just always thought that no one could ever replace Terry Kath, and no one ever did. I still have every record, worn almost completely out from playing them endlessly back then (every pop, tick and every scratch are still on those cherished pieces of vinyl, with the record jackets, still intact.) P.S. You guys even played our local University in 1969 for homecoming opening the show for Sam & Dave, The University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada... Oh ya, big influencers - we even formed an 8 man brass band back in the early 1970's that played a lot of your tunes. (I played guitar in the band -- one of the hardest gigs I ever had to play) Much peace and love, and all that hippie shit ;-) Thanks to Joe Chambers as well for this interview.
James Pankow tells it like it is and was. So intelligent and the recollection is amazing. Does he have a book? And big YES to Joe for this interview - perfectly done.
Mpg….. there are the original interviews you can go back and see. I may put out more unseen clips from that original interview in the near future….. Joe
Jimmy's enthusiasm is everything hahahaha omg. He's probably told these stories a billion times but just look him, _still_ charged up with gratitude and life .. there's no way to not love this cat
@cblue2, thank you so much for the very kind comment & support for the channel. My dad, Joe, would have really appreciated it & I do too. Hope you can visit the museum sometime. All the best, Britt
Thanks again Joe, I love to hear how band’s first got together especially from the horse’s mouth and it’s amazing how a group of guys found each other especially the caliber of Chicago.
PANKOW, SH-T! If I was 1/2 the guitar player that Jimmy is a trombone player(let alone arranger and writer) I'd be pretty damn good. Back in the day I was just looking at Terry, not realizing what a smoking arranger he is. How cool would it be to be in a band with him.
Jimmy was my idol as a young trombonist in high school. Wow, a trombonist playing rock & roll in 1970. I didn't have the talent to go very far but followed the band and have been a big fan for life. Thanks Guys!
I love this interview; I can see in James's eyes that he really does remember the first jam session like it was yesterday. I also hadn't realized how many important songs he wrote, like "Make Me Smile."
Some of the members of Chicago, in late 60s, visited our commune in Bucks County Pennsylvania; my husband (singer&drummer in his own band [Fantasia] ) jammed with Danny in the barn.
Applause!!!! Good Morning! Never had to attend a Chicago concert, at least while Mr. Kath was amongst us. This presentation sure felt like home, much appreciation!!!! Brought back listening memories, Smiles Always!
Russell3380, thank you for your kind comments- it would have meant a lot to dad… and it does to me too. Thank you for supporting the channel. If you haven’t visited the museum, I hope you can sometime. Best, Britt
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I'd love to visit, it's on the list, have wanted to for a long while. I hope things are going good and thank you for the nice reply.
What a fantastic interview !!!!! You just let him go and the stories he told were simply amazing. It is so important to capture every interview you can with everyone involved in music because when they go, nobody will ever know the details if it were not on tape. Thank you for your hard work and for future generations who will be blown away with all the music history.
Joe, Awesome interview! James seems to be very aware of how special Chicago is as a band, and knows that talent with a little luck, hard work, and vision, great things can happen! Thanks for sharing!💫
That was fantastic Joe! Chicago is definitely one of the greatest bands in rock history, hands down. Gotta love JP's enthusiasm for the music & the band. Thanks Joe & hope that all is well............. 👍👍👏👏😉😉
I met Jimmy, Lee Loughnane and Robert Lamm a couple years ago prior to them performing during halftime of a Notre Dame football game in South Bend (their manager is an ND grad and former football player). All of them were happy to take a few minutes to chat with me and couldn't have been nicer. I've always been a huge Chicago fan and that experience was unforgettable.
He is definitely not from the South..I could not even scream that fast..Yep, got that SLOW, SOUTHERN draw..Loved this interview. I got into CHICAGO'S music by sheer error..I was sent the WRONG CD from the music club and I forgot to send it back..So, I listened to it , months later and loved it..😊
Could there be anyone more enthusiastic as James. You sure as hell saw it all those years, but he truly is a grand soul, and what a great band. I saw them twice before Terry died. True lose for all of us
Omg...Pankow was my rock mentor. I'm a classical pianist, but played all woodwinds in a band and Chicago was my personal favorite to play on all my instruments. I must have all Chicago's albums, from the day. So much fun to play their music, and to hear Pankow on SO many other acts, "made me smile."😊 If you know music, you can always hear Pankow in Michael Jackson, Toto and SO many other bands. No one plays like James...the session musician extraordinaire! Thanks so much, Joe for this fab interview with one of the best musicians in the world!!!!!
James told me sleeprgirl he wrote the brass arrangements for Elton on “ Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” but they left his name off the credits.Best, Joe
Not just a great musician but equally a great song writer. Wow. These spoken moments shared by these legends via these videos are pure gold. You are capturing and preserving musical history like no other. Thank you Joe Chambers. I could go on but, I think you get the picture.
I would also like to compliment your interviewing style. You are a great listener and you always know when to add in your remarkable memory of music and musicians. I find myself listening to the musicians you interview even if I didn’t know much about the genre or the musicians themselves. Thanks again Joe for turning me on to new musicians and music. Stay well and keep em coming!
Joe's knowledge of the industry always shines through with his comments and questions. And I'm sure the guests appreciate it. Another great one for the history vault.
james pankow is cool interesting guy. i got the chicago albums. james pankow went thru good times bad times music was always good. thank chicago always coming out with great music. thank you joe for video and the work that you do.
I LOVE THIS SHIT ! I'M FROM THE ERA AND I AM BEING GIFTED NOW WITH STUFF I ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT. THIS GUY (James Pancow) IS GREAT FUN, STAYING GLUED TO EVERY WORD, LISTENING TO HIS RECOLLECTIONS. All very interesting, COOL. FUN ! As always, I appreciate the work you do, Joe. So Cool to enjoy this delight, for free. Lucky Me
I’ve always loved this interview. Jimmy is sincere, and I can relate on a personal level to all he conveys. He encapsulates the beginnings of this historical band. Thank you, Jimmy. And thank you for making the trombone a cooler than cool instrument. We met in ABQ at the concert in 2018.
I am hooked the interviews are interesting but informative and Joe is like a nutcracker he knows how to get to the sweet of the meat. That is a awesome talent.
I remember record companies telling Chicago they were good, but they needed to lose the horn section! Thank God Chicago ignored them and kept going. One of my favorites is "Man to Woman" Jason Scheff has been touring with his own band, and one of the songs he does is Man to Woman
Hey Joe, you never let me down and this was superb. After all this time, so much energy and enthusiasm in James's recollections. In his mind it's all so fresh as if it was yesterday. One of your best interviews and you were obviously captivated listening to James.
Hi Rocket… we yes I was loving every second of this interview. Chicago was the band my band strived to be like. Terry Kath and Jimi were my favorite guitarist. Thanks again for watching….Joe
What an amazing interview about an amazing group! So many things shared I never knew before. Joe, you are knocking it out of the park time and again with these videos! Thank for shatter so much about one of my all time favorite groups?
Thank You again Joe. James is very very passionate about music. Always fun to hear all the little back stories how they improvised with a rolled up newspaper for a cymbal. Always think,,what someone like ,,James,,,what his eyes have NOT seen traveling the World for umpteen years. Only two weeks ago, we went and seen Leonid & Friends about an hour away from where we live. They sure sound exactly!! like Chicago.. A great show. Thanks again.
The great thing about Joe's interview is that despite the fact he probably already knows the history of Chicago he allows James Pankow to tell his story without needless interruption or any ego spoiling it. Keep them coming Joe👍
Joe, your guests and interviews are outstanding. I always look forward to seeing your videos because these musicians influenced me in my musical journey. Thanks Buddy!
FANTASTIC Interview 🥰❤ I loved hearing Jim talk about how they got started. And Joe....you're a fabulous interviewer. 👍🥰 You let him talk so we could listen to his story without constant interruptions. You interjected a few questions when needed and allowed him to continue on. It's beyond frustrating when an artist starts telling a certain part of their story, only to have a not so professional interviewer, interrupt and steer them off in another direction...leaving the first part of the story unfinished. Thank you both so very much ❤❤ I was in high school when the first music from Chicago hit our airwaves. I lived in the Detroit area back then, but never got the chance to see them in concert. 😢 Then about 20 years ago, my daughter surprised me with tickets to them for Mother's Day when they were playing here in Interlochen. It truly was an amazing gift and an amazing concert. They'll be here this July (2023) playing at the Cherry Festival. After all these decades, it's wonderful to see Jim full of the same enthusiasm that he started out with. 😊
KathieStevens Designs, my dad, Joe, passed September 28th- but he would have really appreciated your kind comments and support of the channel. Chicago was a favorite of his too. Thank you for sharing your story. Hope you can visit the museum sometime, I know you wound love it. Best, Britt
Thank you for the reply Britt. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your Dad 😢I lost mine too and our world is never quite the same without them. Do you think you'll be doing interviews now? He'll be a tough act to follow 😉 😂 He truly was incredibly talented at interviewing people. I plan on watching a whole lot more of his videos as time permits. I'm sure you're making him very happy keeping his channel alive and being responsive to the community he built here. Have a wonderful rest of your week, Kathie
Kathy, I am sorry you lost your dad too, you are right, it’s never the same. Dad never planned to do interviews… after being a musician, songwriter, producer, and starting a chain of guitar stores- he was inspired to do a TV show to bring light to musicians. His first interview was going to be Chet Atkins, but by the time he was ready to tape it, Chet was sick, and he didn’t feel right having him on video that way. He said the museum, is the physical of what the TV show would have been. He collected all the artifacts, knowing people from being in the studio & in the music business & began doing the interviews- that are now known on this channel as the Vault series… the Backstage interviews then became what he would have done with the original idea of the TV show… all full circle. You can listen to it in his words in this interview of him on the Sessions Panel th-cam.com/video/_cFjvNUIWvo/w-d-xo.html I wrote all that because I agree with you… his mind was a encyclopedia of knowledge, especially with music. Although I was at most of the interviews, I have recently listened again on the Musicians Hall of Fame podcast, & I can’t believe how much I learn again. I talked to dad about the future of YT, and he was open to keep it going in someway, but he was also really happy with how it was left… so we will see. Thank you for your really kind words and encouragement, and thank you for supporting the channel! Best, Britt
Britt, I can't thank you enough for sending me this link. I enjoyed every minute of his interview and left a comment on that video. I'm thrilled this channel is still here for everyone to enjoy. I sent the link to this video to my friend, but don't know if she watched it yet. I'll have to ask her. She plays guitar and played for 20 yrs on weekends with a band that did weddings and local lounges in the Detroit area in the late 70's and 80's. Your Dad was a natural at interviewing. He will be sorely missed by so many in this online community. I'm grateful for his passion for music that he shared with the world. ❤ Thank You Britt for keeping his legacy alive and sharing your Dad with us. Have a wonderful weekend, Kathie
Kathie, again thank you for your very thoughtful words. I am so happy you enjoyed the interview & sent it on. TH-cam was really special to dad, especially during covid, because it kept people entertained & engaged & he loved responding to all his TH-cam friends. Again, thanks for watching & if you make it to the museum be sure to let me know.🤍
Joe...another classic interview. Love the early days of CTA/Chicago - '69-72. Great to hear such in-depth behind-the-scenes stuff from Mr.Pankow. Thanks for it all!
Horn bands had an odd connection to our dad's Big Band music. In the Bay Area; there were { are} the Sons of Champlin and Cold Blood; a little later The Electric Flag and Tower of Power. The Blues with horns. The funk wove through all these bands.
During this summer I heard one of my favorite bands ( = Chicago) with EWF in Concord /CA the 1st time of my life live on stage with EWF. I'm 58 now and when I was ten years old, I was fascinated seeing the band in 1976 on TV performing "if you leave me now". I didn't know that time who Terry Kath was.... I love this great musicians and in Concorde I had the pleasure for a short small talk with Robert Lamm. Great artists and great musicians!
I saw the current version last spring in Baltimore and James’ enthusiasm and love of the music and their fans is obvious. It was a fantastic concert and he is a great dude.
I've always loved Chicago's sound I played in band and marching band in high school the tuba row had more weight then the front line of the foot ball team we were all partiers smokes weed and drinking beer we dragged our tuba cases full of beer to football games as the tubas over the shoulder the tuba row would just blow people away we played so loud on great songs. Gree up in a very musical church with a full orchestra a choir and 10 music groups of many different sounds like from the eagles to blue grass I played guitar in that group rhythm guitar loved it performing so when Chicago came out all of us loved there music and applied are craft even harder. They are such an inspiration to many kids across America that had done as I had. This is when America was greatest time of music the middle of all this section of American music.
This was awesome! James is cool and Joe you do an amazing job interviewing and letting your guests speak! I'm going through the archives and there is a lot to appreciate on this channel! Glad to have found this content! Going to check out the Jeff " Skunk " Baxter interviews next!
As always, Joe, a great interview. I don't think anybody does it better. Ask a question and let the subject just go...Some interviewers seem to struggle to get equal time. Never with you. Always respectful. You could interview a salt shaker and it would be great.
Such a great interview. This is how a real conversation should be. Professionals in every way.
Goodness gracious, great trombone on fire! I just saw Chicago at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas, Feb 24, 2023!!!! I am 62 years old and consider it one of my all time favorite concerts. My husband was so sentimental over the lyrics and memories. I was impressed by the professionalism, skills and genuine enjoyment shown by the band. The energy of all band members is impressive. We are not spring chickens anymore. A body of work to be proud of for sure!
i AM so very happy that you enjoyed Chicago in 2023. I enjoyed the later Chicago in the early 2000's, they were professional and did sort of a "musical review" But this in no way compares to the late 1960s Chicago Transit Authority with Terry Kath and Robert Lamm.
I could listen James pat ow for ever
My God, I’m watching this interview again for the twentieth time, at least, and it’s just as entertaining as it ever was. James has such an enthusiasm in his retelling of the story that he’s magnetic. And Joe, ever the gentleman, gently prods James in the desired direction and just lets him go, staying out of the way so the narrative can evolve as James remembers it. It’s perfection in journalism and oral history. RIP Joe Chambers, you were a class act. 👍
Got to meet the group in Houston thanks to my best friend. We stood around talking with James, Walt and Lee and the treated us like brothers for about an hour. One of the most amazing days of my life. Thanks for all the love...
James Pankow's horn arrangements on the early classic Chicago albums were extraordinary, arrangements you could actually sing along to, and I find it impossible to imagine any of those songs without them.
I love the way he tells a story I could Listen to him all day !
I kind of liked CTA when they came out, so went over to Tanglewood in MA. for the 7/21/70 show that’s on TH-cam. Pankow was a wild man, Terry Cath was absolutely off the charts good, Cetera actually rocked and the rest were as tight as anything I’d ever seen. Just crazy good. Nobody wanted to go home, and Bill Graham had to kick us out due to town curfew. One of the best … shows… EVER !
Happy, happy memories! Wish I could have been there! At least I got to rock my brains out to early CTA listening to my cousin's freakin' awesome stereo system in her basement.
Had a smile on my face through the whole video watching James, who just enjoys every waking moment.
Me too 1968…. Best, Joe
Wow. What a fantastic account! Early Chicago is one of my all time favorite bands.
Great memories of this band, Joe. In Sept. 1969 "CTA" (Chicago Transit Authority) was the first album I bought at The Defiance College bookstore my freshman year. By the time they released their 3rd album my wife and I made sure we saw them live at Fort Wayne, Indiana's Memorial Coliseum. Our love for horn-based rock started with The Outsiders "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966, and continued with Chicago's Buckinghams before we graduated to BS&T and CTA.
Joe, your interviews are not just informative, they are historic. You are preserving the music stories of an entire generation. This interview with James Pankow is one of the best.
Thanks Robert…. I agree that James is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met… best, Joe
Joe is the best, he ask, and let the guest talk
I keep saying this Joe and in a modest way you always play it down but I’m going to say it again. This is a very fine and interesting interview with Jimmy who’s equally modest and self effacing. Joe, your interviewing technique is a great example to some others. Ask the right questions, let the guest speak and the interview flow.
I agree Barbara; Joe is the best interviewer in the business.
Those first 11 albums of Chicago - the Terry era - are just so incredible. I've seen the band in concert probably 10 times, but I'll always regret not being able to see them with Terry. It's great to hear Jimmy rapping about those years, still with such enthusiasm!
I absolutely LOVE this interview... Thanks for this Mr. Pankow, your stories mean so much, from the initial band formation onward. I followed CTA and all the guys for years, and lived the release of every record from the first until about the tenth... never losing faith or interest, I just always thought that no one could ever replace Terry Kath, and no one ever did. I still have every record, worn almost completely out from playing them endlessly back then (every pop, tick and every scratch are still on those cherished pieces of vinyl, with the record jackets, still intact.) P.S. You guys even played our local University in 1969 for homecoming opening the show for Sam & Dave, The University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada... Oh ya, big influencers - we even formed an 8 man brass band back in the early 1970's that played a lot of your tunes. (I played guitar in the band -- one of the hardest gigs I ever had to play) Much peace and love, and all that hippie shit ;-) Thanks to Joe Chambers as well for this interview.
James Pankow tells it like it is and was. So intelligent and the recollection is amazing. Does he have a book? And big YES to Joe for this interview - perfectly done.
Chicago is one of the greatest bands to come out of the 1970’s,and they are still touring today.🤗🤗🤗
Another interview I didn't want to end. Thanks Joe.
Mpg….. there are the original interviews you can go back and see. I may put out more unseen clips from that original interview in the near future….. Joe
Jimmy's enthusiasm is everything hahahaha omg. He's probably told these stories a billion times but just look him, _still_ charged up with gratitude and life .. there's no way to not love this cat
Loved the whole interview!! Joe Chambers, the best interviewer, .just let it flow. ♥
@cblue2, thank you so much for the very kind comment & support for the channel. My dad, Joe, would have really appreciated it & I do too.
Hope you can visit the museum sometime.
All the best,
Britt
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I'm sorry for your loss. And I will visit 💞
"Da Big Ting" I love Jimmy's stories!
What a lovely stories along with James' love of music. Thanks Joe.
I can still remember how gob-smacked I was, first hearing Questions 67 & 68.
sensational
Thanks again Joe, I love to hear how band’s first got together especially from the horse’s mouth and it’s amazing how a group of guys found each other especially the caliber of Chicago.
Thanks for watching HRL… Joe
An absolutely Wonderful historical interview!
I've ALWAYS had SUCH a crush on Jimmy Pankow! I love him and that trombone!!!
PANKOW, SH-T! If I was 1/2 the guitar player that Jimmy is a trombone player(let alone arranger and writer) I'd be pretty damn good. Back in the day I was just looking at Terry, not realizing what a smoking arranger he is. How cool would it be to be in a band with him.
I'm a big fan of Chicago. Thanks so much for sharing this. Cheers, Joe! ✌️
Thanks for watching too Dwayne….Joe
Jimmy was my idol as a young trombonist in high school. Wow, a trombonist playing rock & roll in 1970. I didn't have the talent to go very far but followed the band and have been a big fan for life. Thanks Guys!
I love this interview; I can see in James's eyes that he really does remember the first jam session like it was yesterday. I also hadn't realized how many important songs he wrote, like "Make Me Smile."
You know the magic as soon as it is happening. Everything came together but they had to work for it.
Now I understand why Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears were and remain my favorite bands!
Some of the members of Chicago, in late 60s, visited our commune in Bucks County Pennsylvania; my husband (singer&drummer in his own band [Fantasia] ) jammed with Danny in the barn.
Applause!!!! Good Morning! Never had to attend a Chicago concert, at least while Mr. Kath was amongst us. This presentation sure felt like home, much appreciation!!!! Brought back listening memories, Smiles Always!
I miss Joe Chambers interviews like this! May he rest in peace 🕊️.... Long live his legacy of interviews.
I was thinking the same thing earlier today too.
Love all those 70s Chicago Records! Especially the Live at Carnegie Hall set. PLAY LOUD!!
Thank you Joe & James for the cosmic recollection of the path to the epic music to become the sound Chicago.
I miss you Joe Chambers, thank you for everything you did and the great interviews you gave us.
Russell3380, thank you for your kind comments- it would have meant a lot to dad… and it does to me too. Thank you for supporting the channel. If you haven’t visited the museum, I hope you can sometime.
Best,
Britt
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I'd love to visit, it's on the list, have wanted to for a long while. I hope things are going good and thank you for the nice reply.
Let us know whenever you make it by. I know you will love it.
Thanks again-
Britt
Rest In Peace, JOE. Great Interviewer!!
Jimmy is a trip, ain't he? The Big "Ting." He had me smiling the whole way through. What an interview!
What a fantastic interview !!!!! You just let him go and the stories he told were simply amazing. It is so important to capture every interview you can with everyone involved in music because when they go, nobody will ever know the details if it were not on tape. Thank you for your hard work and for future generations who will be blown away with all the music history.
Thanks Richard…Joe
Joe, Awesome interview! James seems to be very aware of how special Chicago is as a band, and knows that talent with a little luck, hard work, and vision, great things can happen! Thanks for sharing!💫
Thanks as always Larry….Joe
That was fantastic Joe! Chicago is definitely one of the greatest bands in rock history, hands down. Gotta love JP's enthusiasm for the music & the band. Thanks Joe & hope that all is well............. 👍👍👏👏😉😉
Thanks Steve…Joe
Very fine interview Joe!
Thanks again Fitz…Best, Joe
I met Jimmy, Lee Loughnane and Robert Lamm a couple years ago prior to them performing during halftime of a Notre Dame football game in South Bend (their manager is an ND grad and former football player). All of them were happy to take a few minutes to chat with me and couldn't have been nicer. I've always been a huge Chicago fan and that experience was unforgettable.
He is definitely not from the South..I could not even scream that fast..Yep, got that SLOW, SOUTHERN draw..Loved this interview.
I got into CHICAGO'S music by sheer error..I was sent the WRONG CD from the music club and I forgot to send it back..So, I listened to it , months later and loved it..😊
This is gold.
Thanks 6……Joe
We’ve always loved James’ enthusiasm and his passion. 🙏🏻🎧
Could there be anyone more enthusiastic as James. You sure as hell saw it all those years, but he truly is a grand soul, and what a great band. I saw them twice before Terry died. True lose for all of us
What a story! One of the best bands ever!!!
James is such a fine gentleman. Had the pleasure to meet him years ago.
Ya Joe!!! this is good stuff hearing how they got started and all .keep them coming Joe we really appreciate you
Thanks Jack… I really appreciate all of you who support our channel….. Joe
Omg...Pankow was my rock mentor. I'm a classical pianist, but played all woodwinds in a band and Chicago was my personal favorite to play on all my instruments. I must have all Chicago's albums, from the day. So much fun to play their music, and to hear Pankow on SO many other acts, "made me smile."😊
If you know music, you can always hear Pankow in Michael Jackson, Toto and SO many other bands. No one plays like James...the session musician extraordinaire! Thanks so much, Joe for this fab interview with one of the best musicians in the world!!!!!
James told me sleeprgirl he wrote the brass arrangements for Elton on “ Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” but they left his name off the credits.Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum :The horns for Rosanna by Toto have Pankow written all over it.
I’ll ask James……Joe
@@walterholland1251Yes it does. Lukather also said James was on the horn section on Rosanna, and they plus David Paich played on "The Thriller."
Thank you for sharing this jewel of inside information! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Chicago: America's band 🇺🇲
Great stuff, as always. Pankow's enthusiasm is infectious. Love his stories. Thanks for posting.
Best interview I have ever watched
Not just a great musician but equally a great song writer. Wow. These spoken moments shared by these legends via these videos are pure gold. You are capturing and preserving musical history like no other. Thank you Joe Chambers. I could go on but, I think you get the picture.
Thanks again G…… Joe
I would also like to compliment your interviewing style. You are a great listener and you always know when to add in your remarkable memory of music and musicians. I find myself listening to the musicians you interview even if I didn’t know much about the genre or the musicians themselves. Thanks again Joe for turning me on to new musicians and music. Stay well and keep em coming!
Very kind of you Dana….Joe
Joe's knowledge of the industry always shines through with his comments and questions. And I'm sure the guests appreciate it. Another great one for the history vault.
Thanks seven… best, Joe
OMG that story of Lamm fighting with the club owner had me in tears LMAO !!!
Thank you for this wonderful interview. It is such a joy to hear the enthusiasm JP has after so many years. I loved it.
Thanks for watching too Red….Joe
I love the idea of Chicago playing Zappa. Amazing.
I love this . James is awesome
james pankow is cool interesting guy. i got the chicago albums. james pankow went thru good times bad times music was always good. thank chicago always coming out with great music. thank you joe for video and the work that you do.
No better interviewer than Joe. He brings out the best in everyone. He is so freakin' real and unpretentious, focused on his mission.
Thanks Goin…. I truly appreciate your kind comments….Joe
I LOVE THIS SHIT ! I'M FROM THE ERA AND I AM BEING GIFTED NOW WITH STUFF I ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT. THIS GUY (James Pancow) IS GREAT FUN, STAYING GLUED TO EVERY WORD, LISTENING TO HIS RECOLLECTIONS. All very interesting, COOL. FUN !
As always, I appreciate the work you do, Joe. So Cool to enjoy this delight, for free. Lucky Me
Thanks Michael…..Joe
I’ve always loved this interview. Jimmy is sincere, and I can relate on a personal level to all he conveys. He encapsulates the beginnings of this historical band.
Thank you, Jimmy. And thank you for making the trombone a cooler than cool instrument.
We met in ABQ at the concert in 2018.
Mr Pankow: You are TRUE musical genius with all your arranging...
GREAT INTERVIEW!! GREAT BAND!!
Thanks Joe….Joe
High Class World Class Guys
I am hooked the interviews are interesting but informative and Joe is like a nutcracker he knows how to get to the sweet of the meat. That is a awesome talent.
I remember record companies telling Chicago they were good, but they needed to lose the horn section! Thank God Chicago ignored them and kept going. One of my favorites is "Man to Woman" Jason Scheff has been touring with his own band, and one of the songs he does is Man to Woman
Fantastic story about getting kicked out of the Midwest. In 1968 I saw them play at the Santa Monica pier.
Hey Joe, you never let me down and this was superb. After all this time, so much energy and enthusiasm in James's recollections. In his mind it's all so fresh as if it was yesterday. One of your best interviews and you were obviously captivated listening to James.
Hi Rocket… we yes I was loving every second of this interview. Chicago was the band my band strived to be like. Terry Kath and Jimi were my favorite guitarist. Thanks again for watching….Joe
Wow, so compelling the beginnings of Chicago!
What an amazing interview about an amazing group! So many things shared I never knew before. Joe, you are knocking it out of the park time and again with these videos! Thank for shatter so much about one of my all time favorite groups?
Hi Wayne… I really appreciate the kind words…. I too loved Chicago… still do the original membership. Thanks again for watching…. Best, Joe
Love me some Chicago...Absolute professionals...
An Exciting Time
Always Always Always a great interview ! I love Chicago ... I love Pankow ... just amazing !
Thanks for watching Chris….Joe
I was lucky enough to hear Chicago live in my high school gym. February 1970, three weeks after they release their second album.
Thank You again Joe. James is very very passionate about music. Always fun to hear all the little back stories how they improvised with a rolled up newspaper for a cymbal. Always think,,what someone like ,,James,,,what his eyes have NOT seen traveling the World for umpteen years. Only two weeks ago, we went and seen Leonid & Friends about an hour away from where we live. They sure sound exactly!! like Chicago.. A great show. Thanks again.
Thank you too Barry……. Joe
The Revolution Began
The great thing about Joe's interview is that despite the fact he probably already knows the history of Chicago he allows James Pankow to tell his story without needless interruption or any ego spoiling it. Keep them coming Joe👍
Great stories! My favorite band of all times! Thanks so much...
They were my favorite too Mark……Joe
I love Chicago. This is a great interview Joe. Thank you so much. 👍🏻😎
Thanks David………Joe
Joe, your guests and interviews are outstanding. I always look forward to seeing your videos because these musicians influenced me in my musical journey. Thanks Buddy!
Thanks T.R…..Joe
FANTASTIC Interview 🥰❤ I loved hearing Jim talk about how they got started. And Joe....you're a fabulous interviewer. 👍🥰 You let him talk so we could listen to his story without constant interruptions. You interjected a few questions when needed and allowed him to continue on. It's beyond frustrating when an artist starts telling a certain part of their story, only to have a not so professional interviewer, interrupt and steer them off in another direction...leaving the first part of the story unfinished.
Thank you both so very much ❤❤ I was in high school when the first music from Chicago hit our airwaves. I lived in the Detroit area back then, but never got the chance to see them in concert. 😢 Then about 20 years ago, my daughter surprised me with tickets to them for Mother's Day when they were playing here in Interlochen. It truly was an amazing gift and an amazing concert. They'll be here this July (2023) playing at the Cherry Festival. After all these decades, it's wonderful to see Jim full of the same enthusiasm that he started out with. 😊
KathieStevens Designs, my dad, Joe, passed September 28th- but he would have really appreciated your kind comments and support of the channel. Chicago was a favorite of his too.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Hope you can visit the museum sometime, I know you wound love it.
Best,
Britt
Thank you for the reply Britt. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your Dad 😢I lost mine too and our world is never quite the same without them. Do you think you'll be doing interviews now? He'll be a tough act to follow 😉 😂 He truly was incredibly talented at interviewing people. I plan on watching a whole lot more of his videos as time permits. I'm sure you're making him very happy keeping his channel alive and being responsive to the community he built here.
Have a wonderful rest of your week,
Kathie
Kathy,
I am sorry you lost your dad too, you are right, it’s never the same.
Dad never planned to do interviews… after being a musician, songwriter, producer, and starting a chain of guitar stores- he was inspired to do a TV show to bring light to musicians. His first interview was going to be Chet Atkins, but by the time he was ready to tape it, Chet was sick, and he didn’t feel right having him on video that way.
He said the museum, is the physical of what the TV show would have been. He collected all the artifacts, knowing people from being in the studio & in the music business & began doing the interviews- that are now known on this channel as the Vault series… the Backstage interviews then became what he would have done with the original idea of the TV show… all full circle.
You can listen to it in his words in this interview of him on the Sessions Panel
th-cam.com/video/_cFjvNUIWvo/w-d-xo.html
I wrote all that because I agree with you… his mind was a encyclopedia of knowledge, especially with music. Although I was at most of the interviews, I have recently listened again on the Musicians Hall of Fame podcast, & I can’t believe how much I learn again.
I talked to dad about the future of YT, and he was open to keep it going in someway, but he was also really happy with how it was left… so we will see.
Thank you for your really kind words and encouragement, and thank you for supporting the channel!
Best,
Britt
Britt, I can't thank you enough for sending me this link. I enjoyed every minute of his interview and left a comment on that video. I'm thrilled this channel is still here for everyone to enjoy. I sent the link to this video to my friend, but don't know if she watched it yet. I'll have to ask her. She plays guitar and played for 20 yrs on weekends with a band that did weddings and local lounges in the Detroit area in the late 70's and 80's.
Your Dad was a natural at interviewing. He will be sorely missed by so many in this online community. I'm grateful for his passion for music that he shared with the world. ❤
Thank You Britt for keeping his legacy alive and sharing your Dad with us.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kathie
Kathie, again thank you for your very thoughtful words.
I am so happy you enjoyed the interview & sent it on.
TH-cam was really special to dad, especially during covid, because it kept people entertained & engaged & he loved responding to all his TH-cam friends.
Again, thanks for watching & if you make it to the museum be sure to let me know.🤍
Joe...another classic interview. Love the early days of CTA/Chicago - '69-72. Great to hear such in-depth behind-the-scenes stuff from Mr.Pankow. Thanks for it all!
Thanks Mark……..Joe
Horn bands had an odd connection to our dad's Big Band music. In the Bay Area; there were { are} the Sons of Champlin and Cold Blood; a little later The Electric Flag and Tower of Power. The Blues with horns. The funk wove through all these bands.
This is gold, Joe.
Thanks Jim….Joe
During this summer I heard one of my favorite bands ( = Chicago) with EWF in Concord /CA the 1st time of my life live on stage with EWF.
I'm 58 now and when I was ten years old, I was fascinated seeing the band in 1976 on TV performing "if you leave me now". I didn't know that time who Terry Kath was....
I love this great musicians and in Concorde I had the pleasure for a short small talk with Robert Lamm. Great artists and great musicians!
I saw the current version last spring in Baltimore and James’ enthusiasm and love of the music and their fans is obvious. It was a fantastic concert and he is a great dude.
Dang! I remember when Chicago CTA played at my high school assembly in 69 or 70. It was in Whittier, South of L.A.
Thanks for sharing Barry……Joe
I first heard Chicago on an underground radio station in San Francisco KSAN
Chicago was the best when you guys were all there
I can’t believe I missed this Joe! Darn TH-cam algorithm :-) great interview as always you’re the best
Thanks Rik…Joe
I've always loved Chicago's sound I played in band and marching band in high school the tuba row had more weight then the front line of the foot ball team we were all partiers smokes weed and drinking beer we dragged our tuba cases full of beer to football games as the tubas over the shoulder the tuba row would just blow people away we played so loud on great songs. Gree up in a very musical church with a full orchestra a choir and 10 music groups of many different sounds like from the eagles to blue grass I played guitar in that group rhythm guitar loved it performing so when Chicago came out all of us loved there music and applied are craft even harder. They are such an inspiration to many kids across America that had done as I had. This is when America was greatest time of music the middle of all this section of American music.
Thanks Joe. Love Chicago! Especially Feeling Stronger Everyday. Which was written, I believe, as a collaboration between Jimmy and Cetera.
Thanks Michael… I think your right about Peter and James writing FSED… Best, Joe
This was awesome! James is cool and Joe you do an amazing job interviewing and letting your guests speak! I'm going through the archives and there is a lot to appreciate on this channel! Glad to have found this content! Going to check out the Jeff " Skunk " Baxter interviews next!
Thanks again sain…Joe
As always, Joe, a great interview. I don't think anybody does it better. Ask a question and let the subject just go...Some interviewers seem to struggle to get equal time. Never with you. Always respectful. You could interview a salt shaker and it would be great.
Thanks Keith… that was very kind…. Best, Joe
One of my favorite all time bands. What a fantastic interview. Thanks Joe !
Thanks again Sarge….Joe
One of the Best interviews Ever. Love Chicago
Thanks for watching Al…. Joe
Unique concept back then. It was BS &T and them just about. Love to hear how bands/ songs come about. Thanks Joe.
Fascinating stuff... many thanks Joe for sharing.
Thanks for watching Ivan….Joe