These 2 Singers KILLED IT On Classic 1984 Duet…So Why Didn’t THEY Ever Sing Again?-Professor of Rock
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2023
- Today, we’re bringing you the story of a perfect pop song… the 1984 smash hit Hard Habit to Break by Chicago… It was an 80s pocket symphony that hearkens back to the genius of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. This band and this song feature one of the most power-packed vocal duos of all time. Peter Cetera and Bill Champlin’s vocal prowess was second to none. On this episode, we’re giving you an exclusive interview with one half of that duo and getting some unique insight into this track. Plus, you’ll hear the incredible story about how this song’s writer Steve Kipner thought he was finished and went on vacation off the grid… only to find out that the song needed one more verse. He wrote in on the fly in a snowstorm nonetheless, he called it in on a 7-11 payphone. And it was perfect. Just what the song needed. If you’re not already addicted to this track, you will be after we’re done. It’s all coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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The dynamic combination of Chicago’s Peter Cetera and Bill Champlin created some of the most outstanding dual vocal performances in the 80s. No joke. These guys were amazing together. But sadly, even though Chicago is one of the longest-running bands of all time, their paths only crossed for a mere two albums. Today, we’re paying tribute to these vocal powerhouses, placing a little extra emphasis on Champlin. That’s because we’ve got some great interview footage with him that I’ve been wanting to share. As for our featured song, it’s one of my Chicago favorites… from their 1984 album Chicago 17, it’s Hard Habit to Break... a true pocket symphony of the 80s … So let’s get into it.
From 1969 to 1978 Chicago was on an incredible roll, releasing 12 albums that certified platinum or multi-platinum and 21 Top 40 singles. Chicago was a legitimate hit-making juggernaut. 13 of those singles would also break the Top 10, including the #1 If You Leave Me Now from 1976’s Chicago X. But the 80s on the horizon, Chicago entered in a dark period… which included the untimely death of guitarist Terry Kath, who died of an accidental gunshot wound. Such a tragic loss.
Also during this time, record sales seriously declined on three straight albums released in 78, 79, and 80. The band was also dropped by their long-time label Columbia Records. But as Chicago battled through the adversity, they made a new deal with Warner Bros Records which led to an invaluable collaboration with producer-composer David Foster.
Cue the entrance of songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist Bill Champlin in 1981. Like Foster, Champlan joined Chicago for the making of Chicago 16. But Bill’s music career started long before that. - บันเทิง
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Poll: What is your pick for the greatest duet of the rock era?
Dialogue by Chicago Pete Cetera and Terry Kath
Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush - Don't Give Up
Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks
Hunger Strike - Temple Of The Dog (Chris Cornell/Eddie Vedder)
Tina and Bryan
I put Peter Cetera in with those 70's & 80's singers like Steve Perry, Don Henley, Brad Delp, Mickey Thomas, Lou Graham, etc who had an instantly recognizable, totally unique voice.
I agree. One of the best!
Add John Waite to that group 😎
Agreed
I agree! You knew he was singing when he came on. Instantly recognizable.
@@jwine4145 - 100% - I knew I'd miss one.
"Stay the Night" is such an underrated song. That guitar riff during the chorus!!! Wow!
My favorite Chicago song 🎵
I agree. It's a great song that many should revisit. What's your favorite Chicago period?
I have to say the 80s. I was in 7th grade in 1983-'84, and they were everywhere from then thru high school--every dance. I still love Peter Cetera. My wife laughs every time we hear a song of his. She knows to prepare for my singing just like him. 😂😂😂
And I thought the video was really cool too!
Great song.
OMG! That CBS special intro back in the 80s used to get me so excited. I knew right away that something great was about to come on the television. It's been a long time since I thought about that, but seeing it in this video was a real nostalgia trip. I remember my television had one of those channel knobs that you had to turn and my brother and I used to spin that sucker around as quickly as possible. My mom was pissed but we had a good time 😂
YES! I loved it too. What was your favorite program?
@@ProfessorofRockI was quite young, but I always remember Charlie Brown was a common one, which I loved. The intro used to come on before Christmas specials like Rudolph and Frosty the snowman too. Those are the ones that I remember most.
I had the same reaction to seeing that! I loved the Movie Of The Week promos, too. I remember most of those were pretty good, and I always watched them with my mom.
My favorite made-for-TV movie in the 1970s starred Linda Blair and Martin Sheen (Charlie's daddy), even though it had a really stupid title, "Sweet Hostage". I hated that title because it made it sound like a porn flick, which it was not.
Sheen played an escapee from a mental hospital who steals a car and heads for his hidden cabin in the woods. On the way, he sees teenage Linda next to a broken down pickup and offers her a ride. As they chat on the way to her a-hole parents' farm, it becomes obvious that she's very unhappy with her life, he encourages her to break away and live for her own happiness.
When they reach the location where she tells him to drop her off, he goes into crazy mode and speeds up, driving her all the way to his cabin surrounded by booby-traps, a terrifying situation.
Over time, he teaches her about poetry and going against society's expectations. She discovers over time that he's really a pretty good guy, just crazy and hurt by the outside world.
That movie is probably why as an adult I chose partners who were highly intelligent but also coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs. Also, it may have lead to my choice of living off-grid in the mountains where I go for weeks at a time without seeing another human. I bought the land 19 years ago, and have lived up here 16 years, alone since 2015. Yes, I left civilization on purpose. Music and animals are what keeps me from going completely nuts!
@@MrPhilm00r I still love those Charlie Brown specials! I could relate to poor little Chuck as I was bullied as a child too, and all my teachers also sounded like "Wha whaa wha whaa".
Schultz was a genius who understood how the world looks to children.
Similar to the “HBO Feature Presentation”
Their first album is an incredible piece of art. There are no bands that make actual music these days like Chicago and Earth wind and fire
Chicago 17 was a masterpiece! One song that I played many times at 12 years old back then was "Remember the Feeling." Mid 80s 83 thru 87 had some of the best music of all time.
Such a great song; wonder why it was not released. Not one bad song on that album. Wore the cassette out twice before finally getting the CD
Hard Habit To Break is a great song by a great group. The string arrangement alone still makes me tear up. That last “I’m addicted to you baby!!” still gets me. So good.
I’m addicted to YOOOOOOUUU!
I love how the orchestral arrangement at the end brings on a classical vibe with the funk of the guitars, the poundinf drum machines, and the flowing horn section after the vocals end off with 🎵I’m addicted to you BAAABYYY🎵
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 GAAAAAAAYYY!
@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
🎵You’re a hard (You’re a) habit to (hard) break (habit to break…just can’t go on)…🎵
@stevenfunderburg1623 NO ONE CAAAAAARES!
For years I poked fun of my husband for liking this band. I hang my head in shame for ever doing that. They’ve created some of the best music to come out of the 80’s.
Even better in the 70s.
I really like this song. For me, however, nothing compares to Chicago from 1973-74-75, With " Just You And Me," " I've Been Searching So Long," and " Wishing You Were Here (With the Beach Boys)". For me, those are my go to songs for memories. Thanks!
Saturday in the Park, released in 1972, is a classic as well
I like all of Chicago's hits but the 70s songs are the best.
And if I may add Questions 67 & 68, and Old Days.
I consider these years the wedding background dinner music days. I’m sure their pocketbooks loved the sales, but after Chicago Transit Authority, and some of their earlier hits, I really hated, OK, disliked, this era. The last hit that I enjoyed was Hard to Say I’m Sorry, and I am a Peter Cetera fan. Everything was the same song different lyrics to me.
Chicago is simply one of the most articulate bands! A group that was so ahead of their time, and their prowess in the decades that followed show their consistency regardless of change. Great anecdotes here that give a much needed look into history! Cheers
"Consistency regardless of change". No contradiction there 🤣🤣😂 Post Kath Chicago is for women (with crap taste) dude.
They reinvented their sound throughout the 70s and 80s.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 That's what I am complaining about.
Ahead of their time?
What does that really mean?
I don’t hear anything that sounds like that today. When did they finally catch up with their time or did they already pass their time?
@@stevenfunderburg1623 What don’t you like about em?
Great interview with Bill Champlin. Interesting how some bands from the 70s were able to reinvent themselves in the 80s, like Chicago and Heart, to name two. David Foster had an enormous impact in music in the 80s and his fingerprints are all over songs that were major hits for the very best artists of that era. Those early days of Chicago in the 70s with Terry Kath in the band remain near and dear, though. Thanks Adam!
Thanks Robster! I"m going to be sending your something...
Ted Bundy left his finger prints all over several of his victims, but I wouldn't go around bragging about it. If the Kath era is dear to you, the most compelling and ethical way to express that is by hating Cetera Female Pop Era Chicago.
@@stevenfunderburg1623 Not sure how the term “bragging” is relevant to the conversation, but why is it an either/or situation? Just because one prefers 70s Chicago doesn’t mean they have to hate 80s Chicago. Both versions have artistic merits worth appreciating and it’s really a matter of personal taste.
@@robster7316 Really? And what would you say Terry Kath HIMSELF would say about Cetera Female Friendly Chicago? I will credit you with the integrity to give the honest answer we both know is the correct answer ...
David Foster wrote a lot of movie themes. This guy was on fire in the 80s.
I absolutely LOVE "Hard Habit To Break". Such a great example of songwriting that helped to define the 80's and its sound. Chicago 17 is one of my personal favorite albums.
I'm with you A grand spectacle of a song!
I love this channel so much, and today it's making me laugh! "Hard Habit To Break" came out in the mid-80s when I had just become engaged to the love of my life and the funniest person I've ever known. When the song reached the "addicted to you, BABY!" line, Bert would belt out, "I'm a Dickhead for you babbyyyy!".
Once I got to where I didn't go into spasms from laughing, I'd join him and sing that line along with him, especially in a public place! If we got one stranger to laugh, it was worth it.
Sadly, we never got married. Our wedding rings got stolen, so we were saving up for another set and for our wedding that never happened. He died suddenly on Mother's Day, 1989.
Now I can look back on those years as the happiest of my life, and I love reminiscing about the silly stuff we did.
It’s such an uplifting song for me.
On the morning of my 45th birthday in 2015….I got the news my best friend from high school had passed away. He was 44.
My buddy Mike was dead in the prime of his life.
He was the closest thing I’ve ever known to a real , honest to god Ferris Bueller. Everyone loved Mike. He was a ladies man, comedian, DJ, volunteer at any social community function. He was beloved by everyone he met but…
I was a headbanger and hard rock junkie in high school and he was CHICAGO…All the way. We would hang out and I’d put in a Dokken cassette and he’d pop it out and put in Chicago. We were polar opposites on music but settled on John Candy movies as our common ground.
Now…I’m 53 and we just had our 35th High School reunion.
I cannot hear a Chicago song from the 80’s and not tear up and think of Mike. I miss my friend terribly and wonder how many good times we still had to share.
Thank you for this video.
This song Hard Habit to Break reminds me of my friend that passed away… He was in a rock band but he listened to everything from Sabbath, Motley and Metallica to Chicago, Styx and REO Speedwagon.
The only reason why I liked this video is because TH-cam won't let me like it twice😁 I absolutely LOVE Hard Habit To Break. It's a darn near perfect song vocally and musically. Chicago is so deserving of being in the Rock Hall Of Fame and it should have happened much sooner than 2016.
Thanks for watching. What would you like to see next?
Chicago should have been in YEARS ago. They went from jazz fusion rock to being one of the main soft rock bands. Such dynamics!
I was always spinning Chicago 17 on the table. I remember singing... trying to sing... some of the songs from the album, and the sheet music and chord voicings were incredible. Love this era of Chicago! Gen X 80's kid all the way!
This song evokes so much emotion as bad as it could be for a broken hearted kid as the first time understanding why it hurt so much. Now as an adult, I can still feel it.
Chicago was such an integral part of my teen years, their music was always played at school dances and was always requested/dedicated on Friday night radio stations.. such a wonderful time to grow up. 💖
I feel the same, I breath this band all my teen years, my first was 17 then 16 and go to the Transit Authotity to the rest, love those years!
Played Introduction from the CTA album at the bar last night. Me & one other knew the track & where going nuts, everyone else’s jaw was on the floor & blown away. RIP Terry Kath!!🍻
Very cool! Great record. Miss Kath for sure!
@@ProfessorofRock one of my all time favorites! To bad the jukebox app didn’t have Free Form Guitar or I’d of played that 🤠🤘
Haha, I hope it was fun!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 damn right it was!
I never really followed Chicago but they were always on the radio and you couldn't ignore them. They impacted everyone that heard their songs. They couldn't be imitated by anyone. They were/are ageless. Everyone can identify with their songs.
I rode my bicycle to Kmart in my hometown (about 7 miles) and used lawnmowing money to buy that Chicago Greatest Hits cassette tape.
When?
You're The Inspiration was my song to my wife at our wedding reception back 1998. Nearly 25 years later, I get tears of joy when we dance to this song.
My favorite from 17 is "Once In A Lifetime", the final track. Bill and Peter mesh well on that track as well.
Agreed
Great song with reggae rhythm . We can stop the hurting should have received wider recognition!
I love Peter Cetera’s vocals, and I have always loved Chicago, “Stay the night” is a favorite!
My first concert as a kid was Chicago in 84. I was 9 years old and it was amazing! We sat directly behind my 4th grade teacher and I was a little weirded out having my teacher there. She thought it was great that I was there, catching a great concert by a great band. The best part was, the concert was free because Chicago was playing at the Arizona State Fair, and if you were at the Fair that day, you could go to the concert for the price of admission to the Fair. Great show! Peter was still with the band! I will never forget it.
Peter Cetera is the Dennis DeYoung of Chicago. In hindsight, it's amazing they were able to co-exist for as long as they all did (both Styx and Chicago) when one of the respective lead singers was so clearly of a different aesthetic mindset. It's amusing listening to interviews with Chicago's other members as they express disbelief that the hits from 16 and 17 are what represent them today.
My brother is eight years older than me, and the David Foster era is an abomination to him, but 16 and 17 is MY Chicago. That said, Hard Habit to Break is their schmaltziest song by a mile and I have to really really be in a Chicago/80s mood to listen to this one all the way through.
I think it's a great song and I love both eras...
I love the Styx/Chicago comparison 👍.
Being a bit older, I prefer the older Chicago.
CTA to Chicago X and much prefer Terry Kath's vocals to Cetera's.
The first time I heard Terry Kath sing I swore it was a black guy.
His song "Tell Me" from Elektra Glide in Blue is amazing.
Hard Habit To Break the schmaltziest, when If You Leave Me Now exists?😂
My parents took me to a Chicago show when I was about 2 and I guess it was soothing to me because they said I actually fell asleep. During 25 or 6 to 4, I don't know. Dad had the painter scaffolding album among a few others and I appreciate 70s Chicago a lot more now than I did then. I adored 80s Chicago and Hard Habit to Break is the Opus, for me. Even though I got into new wave & goth, I couldn't stop loving those late 80s hits like Will You Still Love Me and I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love ("Thought it wouldn't matter...if we didn't stay together..." Bill C). GREAT music doesn't fade away; it's simply timeless. Great episode; great interview! 👍🏻
@@kamz4576 Not even close! If You Leave Me Now are actual words a human might say in the midst of a relationship conversation. Plus, the music is understated and clean. It's a beautiful song. Hard Habit to Break? Oh my goodness, "i'm addicted to ya baby!" are words that have never been and will never be spoken by one human to another. Hard Habit to Break wins the award. The only way it could have been schmaltzier is if had been sung by Michael Bolton during his peak. Maybe not. Chicago's version is pretty painful...
Chicago was such an amazing supergroup...they even survived the loss of Terry Kath, which was a serious blow.
Many fans give them a hard time for their post-Kath years.
Got to at least see them when Bill Champlin was still with the band, but long after Peter Cetera had gone (their Chicago 20 album I think). America opened for them promoting their Here and Now album.
Jason Scheff had been in there longer than Peter Cetera!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 he was the bassist that replaced Cetera, yes?
I THINK they played this song on their list...it was YEARS ago, after all! One of the highlights I remember was America playing "You Can Do Magic" with them during their set. Good times.
@@williamsanders2439 Sounds like a good show.
As a true Gen-X'er, I grew up during the 80s, but I always considered myself to be a child of the 70s. So while I liked the songs that Chicago produced in 16 thru 18, I really did miss the horn section and took notice of its absence over those years.
As far as Cetera is concerned; in my teens I was hooked hard on the 1980's "The Karate Kid" movie series, and as such I really loved two things: "Glory of Love" and Tamlyn Tomita. :)
The horn section in Hard Habit to Break is right up Chicago’s alley, of course!
Always loved the 80s stuff from Chicago. Cetera is up there with Steve Perry and Ann Wilson as far as recognizability and vocal strength.
When it comes to Chicago, I’m firmly in the team 70s camp. The early stuff was incredible but the 80s output just doesn’t do much for me.🖖🏼
Thank you, Adam for such an enjoyable video!
As a child I grew up on the 2 C's: country and classical music. Finding Chicago in the late 70's was an epiphany for me. It opened the door to music that was so far removed from what I had always listened to and to what else was truly out there. As an early...first wave(?) Gen Xer, musician and singer, it was the start to a life-long pursuit of music that would talk to my soul; Happy, sad, lonely, desperate to be understood, and music gave me that. In my super nerd days when friends were sparse because we moved so much, it was my solace. Chicago made it easier sometimes. It's like they put the right music out at that moment I really needed it most.
OK, sappy enough! I love their music and there will never be another group like them. Music today doesn't hold a candle to the true talent of singers and songwriters from that time period; 60's-90's. Best music ever. Even the very early 2000's had its share of good music. Today though? I just leave the radio off, bought into SiriusXM and listen to the real music, the good stuff.
50s through 90s…the ROCK era. Today’s music has never come close.
"Hard Habit to Break" was nominated for four Grammy Awards: Foster and Jeremy Lubbock won the award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
Probably my favorite guitar "solo" is in this song. Whenever I'm in my car the volume goes up. It when they say "But I don't want to." and there's this run of the guitar. It gives me chills.
For the last year and a half, I've been diving into early 70's Chicago. Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?, Saturday In The Park, Make Me Smile, etc. They're excellent songs and the layers of different instruments creates are just delightful!
But 80's Chicago is more my own era and their work brings me right back to school dances and couples skate at the rink!
And, Prof, I completely agree that Hard Habit to Break is the best of their catalog of that very rich music scene! 🎉
Thanks Linda! What memories do you have of it?
@@ProfessorofRock one of my best memories is just hanging out in my room reading and singing along to it! But skating at the rink or listening to it in the car with friends on the way to the mall or mini-golf are fun memories too!😊
Beginnings is a great one too. What is your favorite song by them, Linda?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 That's always a difficult question for me when I really like a group with a large catalog! Lol! It seems all of their songs are my favorites for awhile! But right now I'm crushing on Wishing You Were Here 😊👍
@@lindamcfarland9656 That’s a great one!
Hard to believe this song was rocketing up the charts 39 years ago! Like Van Halen/Hagar there are two Chicago’s and I love and appreciate both of them! Great episode!
I actually am a huge Chicago Fan of the 70s . I didn't particularly dig the pop of the 80s, but I understand why they did it.
Which album would you say is the best? I'm trying to "expand my horizons", if you will.
What Hard Habit though?
A lot of us who really liked Chicago were rather miffed when Peter left. We all knew it was due to his ego (yes, we read the magazines), and there were a lot of us who boycotted Peter Cetera's solo material simply because had he stayed with Chicago and dropped his ego a bit, the band would have many more hits. I had several Chicago albums from the 70s and then "17" in the 80s, but refused to buy a single Peter Cetera album simply due to his thinking he didn't need Chicago anymore. Chicago fans were pissed at Peter and therefore outright refused to support his solo career.
My wife and I have seen Chicago 4 times since 2017. They are still excellent
Hard Habit to Break has been one of my favorite Chicago tracks since I heard it on the radio as a kid in the 90’s. The arrangement of the song is awesome! Thanks for sharing, Adam!
Its production is grand.
Yes it is! My favorite part is the brief instrumental break where the synth, guitar, and horns play through those epic chords before a key change of C# Major.
This is truly a "number one in our hearts"
I love this band, my favourite songs from them would be "You're the Inspiration", or "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."
Great ones.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Chicago’s music. Such an amazing group!
Hard Habit to Break is probably the high point of '80s Chicago. I have the first 18 albums and love the Kath era, but you're right, Professor, that this song is a mini symphony. The key, as Champlin noted, is the Jeremy Lubbock string arrangement. It's definitely reminiscent of some of the Bill Conti "Rocky" strings, and certainly packs the emotion in. Add to that the great cross-voicing of Cetera and Champlin and you have a masterpiece. To prove how much those two add to the song, just listen to the original Bobby Lamm vocal on one of the Chicago 17 re-releases and you can see how much they elevate it. Definitely one of my favorite songs (from any band) of the '80s, and that's saying a lot. Thanks, Dave
They really were on their A-game with that backing track.
Chicago’s complete collection was the first purchase when I down loaded iTunes. They have always been a favourite of mine. My second download, Peter Cetera of course.
Very cool!
What’s your favorite Chicago song?
Loved hearing that CBS Special coming across the television growing up! Thanks for posting it again for a true dose of nostalgia!
Love Chicago's music. From their great ballads of the 80's, "Hard Habit To Break" has always been my favorite.
It's such a classic!
@@ProfessorofRock Classic piece of crap.
I agree. Hard Habit to Break is one of the top ten songs I’d take to my deserted island. It wasn’t the words, it was the vocal arrangements that blew me away. I was lucky enough to see Chicago live with Terry Kath and many years later with an impressive number of musicians on stage.
@@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore That desert island 🏝️ sounds like something straight out of a Stephen King novel...but without any hope for a happy ending 🤣😂😂🤣
It's funny, I never knew it was him singing this song. I just assumed as a kid that Robert Lamm got good at singing.
Agreed 💯…Both Peter and Bill lay it all out perfectly on this song…Awesome stuff..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
17 is my favorite Chicago album. I love the songs that were released, but my favorite is one that Peter later said he actually forgot about. My favorite is Remember The Feeling.
You always bring music into a different perspective that either reminds me why I like/love a song or compels me to re-evaluate what I think & how I feel about it.
That is why I dig your channel, professor!
Hard habit to break is my favorite Chicago song. Wonderful group!!
Holy smokes, I've heard this song so many times, one of my favorites by Chicago and I didn't realize until this video that this was actually a duet. I thought it was just studio work with Pete Cetera singing both parts. 🤯
Me too! In fact just heard it on Casey Kasem’s 1984 countdown last weekend and had forgotten how much I loved the song!
Such great memories of this album and 1984. Saw them on tour at MSU that autumn. Thanks for the video.
This song was especially hard hitting for me during my family split at that very time. It was nearly 19 years before I saw my Mother and 2 brothers again. Things are better now, but "Hard Habit To Break" still stirs my emotions.
Great episode, Prof! I was an early adopter of Chicago when their first album came out, and a fan of the Sons since the 70's. Caught up with Bill Champlin's solo career while living in Nashville, and have been listening ever since. One of the great voices in pop.
Chicago has had a turbulent ride. Loss of Kath was so tough. And then the split, losing this voice from so many hits. At least we still have their early albums
The Terry Kath was so damn good, I can’t do the Cetra area. None of it comes close
@@DC8091 Imo they should never have teamed up with David Foster he created this cheezy lame like polished '80s sound. He seemed to have hated the horn players cause you barely hear them if you do it at all on the songs he produced for the band. A guy like Terry Kath is impossible to replace.
@@danielolson5378 you’re god damn right good sir!!! 🍻
And yet they still survived….for many more decades.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I remember those days. Felt like they came out with a new album every year :)
I've always LOVED Bill Champlin's voice. His is my favorite voice on Chicago's songs, and one of my favorite voices from the 80's as well.
So glad you highlighted the greatness of Bill Champlin. His voice is so unique and powerful. In the future you might want to do videos on "I Don't Wanna LIve Without your love", "You're Not Alone" and the very underrated and underpromoted "Chasing the Wind." Bill shines especially bright on those songs. He's proven to be a game changer.
Thanks for doing this, Professor (and doing it well)! In my opinion, the best ballad ever and probably my ultimate favorite. I share and greatly appreciate your enthusiasm for this song. This was the song that introduced me to Bill Champlin's voice, probably my favorite vocalist ever. Humberto Gatica (engineer) dialed in one hell of a sound on his voice and Cetera's. And as for Champlin's wails at the end of the song... absolutely perfect!
Yes, David Foster did one hell of a job arranging this song as well, absolutely in his prime. From what Foster says, though, the band was not originally sold on recording the song. They didn't write it and said they didn't like it, and Foster says that having all three vocalists singing the song (Lamm, Champlin, Cetera) was an attempt to get them all on board. There is a demo recording floating around that features that original performance, with Lamm singing lead in two of the verses.
I think you should do a feature on "Alive Again" and how the band bounced back from the horrendous loss of Terry Kath. That song was a statement.
Yep and much overlooked!
Yes!
My mom always played Chicago the greatest hits as she cleaned every Saturday morning. Pure nostalgia….
Man I really love this channel. I’m such a rock nerd and u sir are my new Professor ! Thanks and keep ‘em rollin
One of the tightest live bands that you will ever see. Incredible musicianship.
Great video, Adam, this is one of my all-time favorite songs with two powerhouse vocal performances.
"Remember The Feelling" is a hidden gem. Maybe the best song on Chicago 17.
I agree with you 100% on this song! I love it, and I love Bill Champlin‘s voice just as much as Peter Cetera’s.
Hard Habit to Break really hits home. I just graduate high school and my first true love just broke up with me. I don't blame her for doing that. She was irreplaceable at that time. This song I was living at that time. Three years later, we would reunite only for it to not work out. We remained friends but through the years, fell out of touch. Through Facebook we became friends again and I actually ran into her 4 months ago. We talked briefly and I told her that I was glad she is happy and in a good marriage. It would bother me more if she wasn't. She was my first love and will always have a special place in my heart, along with my late wife.
Great job, Adam! Truly The Professor of Rock!
Chicago.. I mean what more is there to say really, great band, great catalog and great musicians. I dig the 70’s stuff because being a guitarist I’m a huge Terry Kath fan and believe he should have his place among the greats and the horns were just killer 🤘🏼 but then the 80’s came and it seemed like it was just hit after hit. For me Chicago 17 was a huge piece of the soundtrack to my youth. Those were just great times and memories and those songs take me back to that and just simpler times. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, the 80’s were just a great time to be alive and the music was awesome! Thanks for another great episode 🤙🏼
Amazing song. Amazing group. I’m happy to bask in the shadow of greatness.
I loved Peter Ceteras music as a late 90s teen, the whole 17 album is great
I saw Chicago in concert on my 18th birthday with my best friend in 1987. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. Loved it!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
I was a preteen in 1984.. Chicago 17 was your mom's favourite album. Thankfully my music geek uncle reminded me that there were 16 other albums 😜.. Today I appreciate it more
Awesome story and interview Professor! Love the sound of Chicago! 🤘🔥
Rock on!
Hard Habit To Break peaked at 20 in Jan 1985 ;their 4th Biggest hit here in Australia behind If You Leave Me Now number 1 in nov 1976 ; Baby What A Big Surprise number 14 in Dec 77 and Hard To say I`M Sorry number 4 in Sept 82
What’s your favorite out of them all?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Alive Again from 1978
I had a read of this song come to me as an adult. As a duet, you could take this as two people who were in love with each other and have regrets. Fairly sure it's not what the songwriters or performers intended, but you definitely could make a version where it's the clear intent.
An all around great band that has definite staying power. Although, Chicago lost a big part of its soul when Terry Katz passed. Us early day enthusiasts were hurting the day we heard about the tragedy. The loss (like other artists b4 him) leaves you wondering what other great songs we will never hear. Great job, as always Professor! Thank you.
My whole family liked Chicago from the start. When we were on family trips by car. Of course with 4 kids how else would you travel. 😅 We had a battery powered cassette player. The kind that you push two buttons to record. One to play and one to stop. We had Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears. Along with compilations of songs we recorded off the radio. We would lie down in the bed in the back of the van as my Dad was driving. We were headed down to Florida from upstate NY. We played those tapes over and over. Accept For when the radio was playing Apollo 11 landing on the moon. It was almost midnight. And it was the coolest thing ever!!!! Good Memories!🤗😀
Thanks Professor 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🌹🌹🌹
The ending to that, the guitars are amazing !! Definitely one of my faves!! I had there greatest hits album with some of their 70s music. Love this band!! Great vocals, great music, just AWESOME!!!
So many parallels between 70s rock (as it evolved into 80s rock) and Chicago. Real good music evolving into sugary pop. I don't mean to offend you.
It got better, actually. The 80's tunes were amazing. "If You Leave Me Now" was their first real amazing hit, in 1976.
I knew this one would cause some issues.
I love both eras...
I couldn't name a single Chicago song. But from the clips that the Professor played, their 80's stuff is ok. What album would you recommend that I listen too?
It was the loss of Kath, who was apparently going to go solo before he died. Now, solo Kath would of RULED!!!
I'm an early Chicago fan. The first CTA album was what drew me in, due to my dads swing band influence, he played sax, and they were the only rock band he liked.
"Twenty Five or Six to Four" and "I'm a Man". and many others from the early years still stand out, later stuff, not so much.
Chicago lead the way for the what we called "the horn bands'. Not a lot of screaming guitars, but some bad ass music. Ya, some bad ass music, for sure. ;-)
Same here, I was born in 1961 and grew up loving Chicago, War, Tower of Power, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, mostly because of the horns...
I joined band in 3rd grade, played clarinet. I wanted to play percussion but for some odd reason my parents didn't want any percussion instruments in the house. HA!
Although Chicago has always been great, I loved their earlier songs with Terry Kath best. He wasn't just one of the best guitarists ever, his voice was powerful. Kind of reminds me of David Clayton-Thomas of BS&T.
A rock band with horns? Always a plus in my book. Chicago never disappoints.
I'm with you folks! Loved the early Chicago with the horns! Saw them twice during that time. Color my world was one of my favorite songs!!! Learned to play the flute solo at the end!!! Was not much of an 80's pop music fan.
"Hard Habit to Break" makes me think of prom in the early 80s. It was the song that filled the dance floor.
Ha ha! YES indeed.
It’s a perfect song for school dance.
"Hard Habit to bBeak" is one of nearly a dozen Chicago songs I didn't hear first until after Peter had left. It was difficult before my mother got me *Greatest Hits: 1982-89* to distinguish the Chicago hits from the Cetera solo hits, including this one which so prominently features Bill's singing. Definitely was nourishing to learn what was wet from that compilation. It also did what it should to wrap me up for when I became what about fan around the 20th anniversary of the death of Terry Kath. (It was pretty moving in an interview Bill gave in 1992 to hear him say how he had wished he could have met Terry.)
I'm glad you included in this segment the successes they had when Peter had left and Jason had defeated him, Adam. "Will You Still Love Me" iis the first Chicago song I heard when it was brand new. I didn't know it was theirs in '86, but I could sort of pick out that there was a genetic connection with "Glory of Love", similar to how I was able to pick out the connections between the Mike + the Mechanics singles "Silent Running" and "All I Need is a Miracle" with Phil Collins and Genesis without being fully aware of them. That's why "Will You Still Love Me" is kind of a number one in my own heart.
Thanks for sharing your experience Eric. Always enjoy it.
Will You Still Love Me had Jason Scheff at the helm and Cetera had already left!
That was something I learned after I was six years old and the song was new, @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 . When I was trying to make is how I could tell, even with Jason's voice being really different from Peter's, but there was some sort of connection without knowing which song was by which act.
Check out the TH-cam video remake of "WIll You Still Love Me" from Jason Scheff's Here I Am album. Bill joined him on this one.
Peter Cetera hit number 1 with a group, duo, solo, very exclusive club.
He's a really great singer, his solo hits were wonderful.
@@chrisoakley5830 One of the best
@@timothykozlowski2945 Yes, I never really thought about it, but if you combine the Chicago hits and his duo, along with his solo hits, he was one of the 80s biggest musical stars 🌟.
I absolutely agree with your pick Hard Habit to Break. In fact it's my #1 favorite song of all time. I totally agree, I can't believe this song didn't hit #1 on the charts. The song is perfection. The vocals by Peter Cetera and Bill Champlin are exceptional and their interplay is one of the best we’ve heard in pop music. Foster’s work is outstanding; from the tender first verses to the emotional horns break and over the top climax. Another key element is Jeremy Lubbock’s fantastic orchestral arrangement that rises to the spotlight in the song’s coda. The musical and vocal arrangement on Hard Habit to Break is perfect. I loved whenever these guys did duets. Chicago 16 duets on Bad Advice and Waiting For You To Decide between Cetera and Champlin are great too. Two different great distinct voices that blended really good together. Yes it was a shame they only sang together on 2 albums.
My favourite Chicago album being an 80s teen. Peter’s voice, the incredible horn section, whats not to love. Would have loved to see them live during this time. One of my live musical regrets.
Prof speaking the truth in depth..."Hard habit to Break" resonates so deep.
I OWE THESE GUYS BIG TIME for this. My senior year high school dance memories are firmly embedded with this song. " All of these years..." fits in great at high school reunions with that girl. 😁
Chicago 17 Tour was my very first concert. The show was fantastic!
But my most vivid memory is that of my Dad dropping me and my buddy Calvin off in front of the Civic Center and saying " You boys enjoy the show. Chicago's one hell goid band"!
I miss you Pop.
One of your best ever...thanks
Great song, Great Band. I love every Chicago song including beginnings.
now this a video I can truly enjoy flashback with to a great Chicago classic power ballad! they were AMAZING singing together on this - and RIGHT ON, it's the crown jewel of the album, it's soooo good. I wish I had a fantastic sound system or great pair of headphones, more so - this would sound SUPERB on it, thanks for the great video....
Great video. I love Chicago's first albums, but I'm also a fan of much of their 80s stuff. In a sea of great songs, Hard Habit is my fav off 17.
I just saw Chicago September 5th in Costa Mesa, California, they were phenomenal!! I love this band.
Adam, from 2002 to 2022, I did Christmas card mixdiscs and for most of those years, I used that Lalo Schifrin CBS Special Presentation as the first track. All the recipients loved it because it's such a Pavlovian thing! Was happy to see that.
Chicago was the soundtrack of most of my relationships during the 70’s,80’s and 90’’s. Thanks Professor for the reminder of those times of innocence, relationships good or bad.
So thankful you did an interview with Bill Champlin…You could talk with him endlessly on just the yacht rock classics he’s been involved in! If you can interview Bill Champlin, interview Jay Graydon, too!
Great episode, Adam!!
Ha! More excited than ever when I saw that spinning intro as a kid. You rule, Adam
I saw them on the Chicago 17 tour at the Greek theater at UC Berkeley. Fourth row. This was Cetera and Champlin at their best. The band was on the fire that night. The energy was absolutely electric.
So good as always..
So easy to binge watch.
Professor, what can be said, personally, think you are the best at this..
69 years of age, all of it is memories..
Thank you👍
Love it ♥️
the CBS SPECIAL promo before the show was sooooo iconic. LOL thanks for including it. And, please do a video on Cyndi or George Michael in a few months, I always get so happy when I see (like this CBS promo) when you have a video for them LOL