The Chicago Story. As Told by James Pankow. Part Two. 

I think Pankow is a big reason people like Cetera and Seraphine and others left.

True. Robert & James did more of the arranging & writing. It's possible that Peter's relationship was always more distant. Cetera's voice is awesome on Dialog where he trades lead vocals throughout with Terry Kath. I also like how Peter shares lead vocals with Robert Lamb on their best song, Question 67 & 68.

Dents his credibility.

Thanks Steve... I really appreciate it... Joe

i guess im asking randomly but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the account password. I appreciate any help you can give me

@Vivaan Bo Instablaster =)

@Deshawn Vance Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

I was in southern Miss in ‘69. Good memories of hearing Chicago through all the static.

What story?...James only told about 5 or 6 of them

Miatacrosser basically all of it ... we were there a while

That's awesome man!!! Love it!

Wow!! I once met Paul Davis and Steve Forbert at a construction site (of all things) that Paul's dad ( a construction company owner ) had going on. All quite by accident and through my friendship with the site superintendent who introduced us.

You totally left out Robert Lamb when you were talking about people used to Terry Kath's voice. I was a Senior in high school when CTA came out; most of my friend's loved the songs Beginnings and Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is, both lead vocals by Robert Lamb. He was also the lead vocal on Southern California Purples, Poem 58, Listen, Someday, and shared leads on I'm a Man. I enjoyed Peter's singing on those early songs, but became disinterested in Chicago with their pop love songs of the 80's. Saturday in the Park was the final straw for me. I know Peter's songs made them very popular again in the 80's, but it wasn't my taste.

@@stevet7487 Lamm was and is dead weight to the band. No coincidence that Chicago had their biggest and best albums while Lamm was in rehab. Kept him from putting his junk on the albums. Gave real talent like Cetera, Scheff, and Champlin to shine and push the band to a whole new level that they had never been to.

@@salozmen29 Robert Lamm wrote most of the band's music. I guess you think Chicago started in the 80s, and not the 60s... LOL @ scheff and champlin (shitty singers)... Cetera was a great bass player... in the 70s.

@@LoyalOpposition

I noticed that. In the two sections of the interview, no mention of Cetera unless I missed it.

Hi Ernest.... I think so too... Joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum That horn part in Rosanna...Jimmy Pankow

A drummer at heart. You can hear it in his arrangements, playing and the way he sings parts. So glad that drumset line was too long that day he tried out instruments as a kid. Kudos to his parents. I have raised 6. They had 9! Well done!

AND composer!

The only trombonist in rock....just kidding. Gtreat player.

Hi Gee Man.... yes me too...... James was a great interview... one of my favorites.... Best... Joe

Hi Johnny.... James was so much fun to interview... you know I love Chicago and you hear him tell these stories was a real treat for me. I’m glad you liked it too... Johnny... There is a part one and two interviews with James along with the couple of short clips I pulled for you guys to see. Check our both of his long , almost 30 minute interviews. Their two of my favorites... best... Joe

MrCherryJuice, thank you for your very kind words and continued support of the channel… it would have meant so much to my dad, Joe, and does to me too. Hope you can visit the museum sometime too. Best, Britt

Hi Richard.... yes James is a great story teller... best, Joe

You got engaged with just you and me and my and my bf ended our relationship with call on me... yes sad but heartfelt to me because we did truly love each other but had grown apart when I went away to college. But even through my own heartbreak thereafter he was always there for me. We fell in love on beginnings... I'll never forget because we were listening to greatest hits on 8 track and the song split into two pieces fir the track change... so we both shouts out coffeebreak and broke into laughter... this was after lam sang cover of chills all over my body yeahh..... We thought is was so funny to break that tension with such a beautiful declaration of feelings. Even to thos day I scream out coffee break when I hear it.. so special 😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤❤

Thanks for watching Speedy... yes you’re right... Joe

Here’s hoping you GET THE BRASS RING and write your dream melody(From a MUSIC Teacher).

I love the way Jimmy tells the story. He’s reliving the history with his whole self.

He's definitely too laid back, lol!

@@brianbentley4386 .

sadly a out of Date Horn player Looking for glory .Not a Front Man .Chicago Had Peter .

His love of music is very clear! Those are great memories! Pankow seems so thankful!

Thanks for watching 40......... .Joe

Yes Dennis... James is so talented... best, Joe

Pannkow was born in Missouri and Lamm was born in New York City. Cetera, Seraphine, Kath , Loughnane and Parazaider are the one's actually "Chicago " guys they were really born there.

Hi 70.......... First you know that we have part one too I hope. James was personally one of my favorite interviews too. Chicago was the band I wanted to be like. I went to more Chicago concerts than any other band. Terry Kath and Hendrix we’re my two favorite guitarist. James’s horn parts were the best I’ve ever heard. He personally was the best, most animated guest I have had. I’m very close friends with numerous other interviewees much more than I am James. It’s just he painted a picture with every sentence he spoke. It was like watching a movie happening in front of me as James went back in time in front of my eyes reliving each segment of the bands rise to stardom. Thanks again for watching...... Joe

Hi Lauren…. Thanks for watching… I agree with you about Terry… best…. Joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum He was literally my childhood I will never forget ❤️

Tom .... so did I.... Best... Joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I feel the same as Tom C; what I find surprising is that I have been listening to Chicago for 40 years, and I thought I already knew all there is to know, yet here I am hearing James P telling stories I never heard or read. Joe, all of these interviews are the best I have seen of the interviewees; they all seem so relaxed and genuinely seem excited to tell their stories. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Thank you Tom... glad you like them.... I enjoyed them too... Joe

Hey..... that was very kind words... I appreciate it greatly. Thanks... Joe

Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, My pleasure. Thank you, Joe.

Thanks 799 for watching our sharing your thoughts... Joe

There are multiple sides to the band break up. Danny Seraphine and Peter tell the same story as to why Peter left. However I thought Jason Scheff did a great job for the band while he was there.

Yes, even a simple 5-10 second mention of Peter Cetera would have been nice, as opposed to pretending the guy didn't exist. Underrated bass player.

Cetera ? There was one ?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Robert... Joe

Hi Michael.... That’s a concert I wish I’d have seen and heard. Thanks for watching....Best, Joe

Definitely agree

Jimi thought very highly of Terry Kath which definitely solidifies my personal thoughts on how great Kath was as a guitarist! Jimmy Pankow is a great player, and guy, but a good storyteller as well, loved listening to this

Wow, so jealous! I can't imagine!

Lol, I'm jealous as well Roger! How good was Terry live?? I have to know! From everything, I've read & listened 🎧 to? I believe he should be up there with the guitar greats? Is this true? Who better to ask than a person that knows music & has seen him play.

Right on!!

Thanks Brenda... Joe

Thanks for watching Om... joe

Thanks Rene... Joe

You nailed it, Rene: I feel a lot of bands (NOT all) are trying to become famous, rather than playing for the joy of just playing. Oh, I don’t know? 🤷‍♀️ Greta Van Fleet comes to mind. I get it, I don’t agree with it, but I get that Zeppelin was their hero’s, influence etc. Who wasn’t influenced by Zeppelin??!!! But com’ on man… Greta Van Fleet is in it for the $$$ nothing else, IMHO. I watched an interview with the kid that plays bass for Greta and it was like a joke! He (plays with a pick. John used a pick OCCASIONALLY. The only song I know that he played with a pick was “Whole Lotta Love”) the kid had no idea how to play bass, other than I few scales. I guess that’s the difference between kids now & kids in the 60s, ’70s and early 90s Grudge. Like Zeppelin, Chicago, Lynyrd Skynyrd… Nirvana, PJ, The Pixies. Just my humble opinion

I need to find that show! Do you remember the venue, or even the city? Thanks.

Hi Mary…. I too am a huge Chicago fan since 1969 and I’m from Georgia. It’s been fun to become friends with Danny and James. I still think they never got the industry accolades they deserved from the Grammy’s and radio. Many of their compositions will stand along side with the Beatles best for decades if not centuries. Best, Joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum thanks for all you do, and sharing your knowledge and collection with us.

Thanks for the story -- this is history, especially considering most people don't necessarily post, or not being around anymore... I was -10.... You're so lucky. I didn't go to my first concert until 2000. I planned on going to my first Chicago concert the day after I turned 40, but Robert had missed the previous shows, and everyone around me kinda flaked out for whatever reasons. Maybe next year?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts TAS…..Joe

Thanks for watching Gil... joe

Hi again Shirley… I see you found James interview without me telling you:)… Best, Joe

Thanks Steve.. Joe

Thank you Bill... best... Joe

Just saw them 2 weeks ago in San Antonio. Pankow is still animated during the show, which is impressive at his age.

Still a GREAT BAND and SOUND!

Thank you very much Steve.... very kind of you to say....Best........Joe

Thanks Mark…. I am very happy you enjoyed it….. Joe

Thanks for watching ddstgm ... joe

Thanks Pete... Joe

Thanks Jolly….. I appreciate it….Joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks Joe. Great to hear from you. You might recognize that Jollycoppers is from the Randy Newman song..."Jollycoppers on Parade." Any chance of getting Randy on at any point? I met him once. He is the coolest, most down-to-earth guy.

Randy would be great. If he’s ever in Nashville if he was interested I would love to have him as a guest…. Thanks again….Joe

Thanks for watching Charles.... you have great musical taste:) best... joe

Thanks for watching Dirk... joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum You did a wonderful job with the interview - when you get someone so excited to tell stories, you just let them go. Well done.

Thanks Dirk... Joe

Thank you Ray... Joe

Danny says the same thing in his book. "Even Robert had had enough", and "Get the fuck out of our faces!", but I can understand. Playing on stage is tough enough, and then having the owner yell at you. The jerk could have waited until the set or at least the song was over. There were a lot of people watching/recruiting/canvassing, and it's a bad look for potential future opportunities, but I'm glad they stuck to their guns... at least while Terry was still alive.

I watched that documentary on RU-vid (if it’s the same documentary) I couldn’t find it on NetFlix? Is it about Terry Kath’s daughter Michelle Kath-Sinclair, trying to find out what type of man her father was???

Ken : The Documentary is called " Now More Than Ever". On Netflix. I saw the one you were mentioning. It's so much better . It's about the Band , not just Terey's life.. Although we miss him.♥️ Please search for it. It goes from beginning to end. No spoilers here! You will learn a lot about the first and only band whose members all have a MASTERS on Music! No lie. They are the ultimate in American Rock and Roll bands. Sure , Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Floyd.... but they are NOT from the US! 👍✌♥️

@@johnroseman9087 John: I couldn’t agree more with every single word you said, from top to bottom! Hear - Hear! Will said Sr, well said. P.s Thank you for telling me the name of the documentary! I’m lol searching for it as I’m responding, again, thank you.

@@kenduffy5397 Good Luck!✌

@@johnroseman9087 🤘

Wow - me too!!!

Chicago V is flawless

KMET late at night in the 60's and early 70's was amazing.

At the same time in the central valley we had an FM station called KFIG and every night they turned into an album rock station called KFIG '360'. They were called that because they came on the air at 7pm and played rock till 1am...6 hrs. or 360 minutes

Robert Tayrien KMET Paraquat' Kelley, Dr Demento, Jim Ladd...jesus, takes you back!

Thanks... joe

Hi kiss.... I’m glad you enjoyed them. James is so funny and animated it’s almost like watching a one man play. Danny gave a great interview too so if you’re already a Chicago fan you’re going to really enjoy watching them but we get so many other viewers say the same thing as you about their favorite musicians we’ve been lucky enough to have interviewed but I agree these two are very special...... Thanks for watching... Joe

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I was not a Chicago fan per say... my sisters who born in the 0's were so I grew up with all the cool album covers by them, Bread, Creedance, The Dead. I really liked Chicago's album covers and the info inside. I did watch Danny's interviews first. LOVED THEM. You can tell they all LOVE each other today even after some fall outs and what not. What is crazy, since today's youngsters do not have the range of the young guys back then, is that they were all 20-24 years old (also talking about the other musicians you have interviewed ) and were virtuoso's at their craft before making it. Glenn Campbell is a perfect example of that. By 20 he was a guitar GOD . Same with Peter Green. Most never took lessons...WOW!! Dolly Parton too... great guitarist...Emmylou Harris...NUTS... Cetera should get back with the guys.. if just for a one off with all the original guys if possible. DO it for a nice charity...like Cleaning up the GUN mess in CHICAGO now and play those covers too that they were all good at... Bring the city together for at least a day or two. I am sure John Meyer can replace Terry Kath for a show or two... He plays Garcia's licks like a pro. By the way mys isier Sandy had the Cover of Frampton Comes Alive painted on her bedroom wall... it was spot on. If you can interview the GATES guy from Bread... he is an interesting cat.

Charlie…. Watch the movie “That Thing You Do”. The scene in it when the band hears their song on the radio for the first time is probably the closest thing to actually being in a band yourself when it happens. Thanks for watching….Joe

Thanks Andrew...Best....Joe

Thanks for watching Lio..... joe

02...... I’m with you... Joe

I love your comment and song choice. Super amazing chords. Their hits were great, but I've always preferred that which is less accessible to most.

That is a strong contender for best Chicago song ever. I got Chicago V when I was 11. I’m 60 now and I still listen to Goodbye 2-3x per week

Goodbye is one of the best pieces of work ever written. The horn score alone is simply on another level, the likes of which I sincerely doubt we'll ever witness again. JP's horn arrangement, aged around 25 at the time, was and to this day remains, genuinely jaw dropping.... 👍

That's because of the bad blood when Pete's wife suggested he not only leave the group, but she became his personal manager. That started the fued. Sad...

The Guy Who Is Being Interviewed Seemed So Boring.Thank God He Wasn’t The Frontman.Rock On Peter.

@@cmr58 Chicago long since stopped being Chicago before Cetera left. After Kath's death they didn't do much but turn the band into a watered down version of Air Supply.

Thought exactly the same thing. He kinda got sidetracked when fleshing out the bass player and never got back to it.

@@raymondtovey3722 Boring? Seems like he still has a lot of passion!

Thanks beets... joe

Surface Line, mighty fine! As long as there isn’t a war going on, standing watch on a ship at night in a calm sea is about as peaceful as it gets.

1Rock.... Thanks for watching... Joe

Thanks again for watching Ramon.... I look forward to seeing you here at the museum too....Joe