Complete List Of Chicago Band Members (2024)

Feature Photo: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. Known for its fusion of rock and roll with horn sections, the band was originally known as Chicago Transit Authority before shortening its name because of a conflict with Chicago’s actual transit authority. Chicago is one of classic rock history’s longest-running and most successful rock groups, having released 37 albums with numerous singles topping the music charts. We all loved Chicago growing up in the 70s and 80s. Over the decades, Chicago has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making it one of the world’s best-selling groups of all time. Below is a rundown of all Chicago Band members.

LIST OF CHICAGO BAND MEMBERS

Robert Lamm

Robert Lamm joined Chicago at its formation in 1967 and remains a member to this day. As a keyboardist, singer, and songwriter, he has been a constant presence in the band. Lamm has contributed to all of Chicago’s albums, providing a significant portion of the band’s hit songs, including writing classics like “Saturday in the Park” and “25 or 6 to 4.” Beyond his work with Chicago, Lamm has released several solo albums.

Terry Kath

Terry Kath was one of the founding members of Chicago and was widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in the band’s history. He played with Chicago from its inception in 1967 until his tragic death in 1978. Kath contributed heavily to the band’s early sound, especially noted for his guitar skills and soulful voice. He played on albums such as “Chicago Transit Authority” through “Chicago XI.” His untimely death marked a significant loss for the band and the music world.

Peter Cetera

Peter Cetera was with Chicago from 1967 until 1985, serving as the band’s bassist and one of its lead vocalists. Cetera’s distinctive voice led many of Chicago’s biggest hits, including “If You Leave Me Now” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” He was integral to the band’s success in the 1970s and early 1980s. After leaving the band, Cetera enjoyed a successful solo career, with hits like “Glory of Love.”

Danny Seraphine

Danny Seraphine was the drummer and percussionist for Chicago from 1967 until 1990. He played on all Chicago releases from Chicago Transit Authority (1969) to Chicago 19 (1988) and was featured on Chicago XXXIV: Live in ’75 (2011) and VI Decades Live: This Is What We Do (2018). After leaving Chicago, Seraphine continued to be active in the music industry, including forming the band California Transit Authority.

Lee Loughnane

Lee Loughnane has been a trumpeter and vocalist with Chicago since its formation in 1967 and continues with the band as of the last update. He has played on all of the band’s albums and is known for both his trumpet playing and songwriting skills. Loughnane has also contributed vocals to several of the band’s hits.

James Pankow

James Pankow, the trombonist for Chicago, has also provided backing vocals and occasionally played percussion and keyboards. His work has been central to the band’s brass arrangements and overall sound.

Walfredo Reyes Jr.

Walfredo Reyes Jr. has been with Chicago since 2012 and has contributed to drums (2018–present) and percussion (2012–2018). His work appears on all Chicago releases from Chicago XXXVI: Now (2014) onwards, except VI Decades Live: This Is What We Do (2018).

Ray Herrmann

Ray Herrmann joined the band as a full member in 2016 after being a touring substitute since 2005. He plays saxophones, flute, and clarinet and provides backing vocals. His contributions are featured on several Chicago releases starting with Chicago XXXVI: Now (2014).

Neil Donell

Neil Donell joined Chicago in 2018 and has since provided lead and backing vocals and occasionally played the acoustic guitar. His voice features on albums such as Chicago XXXVII: Chicago Christmas (2019) and Chicago XXXVIII (2022).

Ramon “Ray” Yslas

Ramon “Ray” Yslas is known for his work on percussion and congas with Chicago, contributing his rhythmic talents to the band’s sound.

Tony Obrohta

Tony Obrohta joined Chicago in 2021 as a touring substitute for Keith Howland in November-December 2021. He plays lead guitar and provides backing vocals. Dont forget to check out our recent interview with Tony Obrohta.

Loren Gold

Loren Gold has been with Chicago since 2022, initially joining as a touring substitute for Lou Pardini in August-September 2021 and then becoming a touring member in January-March 2022. He contributes to keyboards and provides both backing and lead vocals.

Eric Baines

Eric Baines joined Chicago in 2022, contributing bass and backing vocals to the band’s music.

Walter Parazaider

Walter Parazaider was one of the original members of Chicago, contributing saxophones, flute, clarinet, and backing vocals from 1967 until his retirement from touring in 2017. He played on all Chicago releases from Chicago Transit Authority (1969) to VI Decades Live: This Is What We Do (2018).

Laudir de Oliveira

Laudir de Oliveira was with Chicago from 1974 to 1981 as a percussionist, contributing to albums from Chicago VI (1973) and Chicago VII (1974) as a session musician to all releases up to Chicago XIV (1980).

Donnie Dacus

Donnie Dacus was with Chicago from 1978 to 1980, contributing lead guitar, lead and backing vocals. He played on Hot Streets (1978) and Chicago 13 (1979).

Chris Pinnick

Chris Pinnick joined Chicago in 1980 as a session musician and became a member until 1985. He played lead guitar on albums such as Chicago XIV (1980), Chicago 16 (1982), and Chicago 17 (1984).

Bill Champlin

Bill Champlin was a member of Chicago from 1981 to 2009, contributing keyboards, guitars, and both lead and backing vocals. He played on all Chicago releases from Chicago 16 (1982) to Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus (2008), as well as a live album.

Jason Scheff

Jason Scheff joined Chicago in 1985 and was with the band until 2016. He played bass and provided lead and backing vocals, occasionally contributing keyboards and guitar. His work is featured on all Chicago releases from Chicago 18 (1986) to Chicago at Symphony Hall (2015), with the exception of Chicago XXXIV: Live in ’75 (2011).

Dawayne Bailey

Dawayne Bailey was with Chicago from 1986 to 1994, playing lead guitar and providing backing and occasional lead vocals. He is featured on albums such as Chicago 19 (1988) and Twenty 1 (1991).

Tris Imboden

Tris Imboden joined Chicago in 1990 and was with the band until 2018. He played drums, percussion, and occasional harmonica. His contributions can be heard on all Chicago releases from Twenty 1 (1991) to Greatest Hits Live (2018), with a few exceptions.

Bruce Gaitsch

Bruce Gaitsch was with Chicago briefly from 1994 to 1995, playing lead guitar. His contributions can be heard on Night & Day: Big Band (1995) and as a session musician on other albums.

Keith Howland

Keith Howland was a member of Chicago from 1995 to 2021, playing lead guitar and providing backing and occasional lead vocals. His work is featured on all Chicago releases from The Heart of Chicago 1967–1997 (1997) to Chicago XXXVIII: Born For This Moment (2022).

Drew Hester

Drew Hester was with Chicago from 2009 to 2012, contributing percussion and serving as a drumming substitute during early 2009 touring. He is featured on Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three (2011).

Lou Pardini

Lou Pardini was a member of Chicago from 2009 to 2022, playing keyboards and providing lead and backing vocals. His contributions are featured on all releases from Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three (2011) to Chicago XXXVIII: Born For This Moment (2022).

Daniel de los Reyes

Daniel de los Reyes was with Chicago from 2012 to 2018, contributing percussion, mainly in live performances.

Jeff Coffey

Jeff Coffey joined Chicago in 2016 and was with the band until 2018, playing bass and providing lead and backing vocals as well as occasional acoustic guitar. He is featured on Chicago II Live on Soundstage (2018) and Greatest Hits Live (2018).

Brett Simons

Brett Simons was with Chicago from 2018 to 2022, playing bass and providing backing vocals. His contributions can be heard on Chicago XXXVII: Chicago Christmas (2019) and Chicago XXXVIII: Born For This Moment (2022).

Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business, or organization is allowed to re-publish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission. All photos used are either supplied by the artists, public domain Creative Commons photos, or licensed officially from Shutterstock under license with ClassicRockHistory.com.