Chicago 1988 Bill and Danny Define each other rare Interview

[Garmanmyk]

I liked Bill Champlin since the Sons back in the early 70's.But now I don't know.He's an incredible talent but I lost all respect for him.To come into Chicago and lobby to have a founding member fired is inexcusable.I believe that ego maniac David Foster was involved.Jason (whatever his last name is) has a lot of balls also.And the rest of the band are pussies.

[Vince1961]

What Bill is saying here is pure crap, given that he was the main instigator of firing Danny less than 2 years after this interview took place. He gives Danny credit for keeping Chicago afloat and compliments him on having an adventurous drumming style, yet wanted him fired because "his chops had slipped" and "he focused too much on the business and didn't concentrate on the music". If Bill and Jason were unhappy with Danny - QUIT the band - but don't push to have a founding member fired. Shame!

[rockwellou812]

funny how these guys never got along, Bill was the one that got Danny fired..lol

[GeorgeCarlinEatPussy]

Danny Seraphine had this lousy hairpiece made from a collection of Peter Cetera's pubic hair.

[WrestlingHeretic]

@carl22069 Being a great live performing drummer doesn't necessarily mean you're a great studio drummer. They're different skill sets. Seraphine had a lot of trouble slaving to a click in the 80s. Believe it or not, "You're the Inspiration" was too difficult for him.

[WrestlingHeretic]

@carl22069

According to his autobiography, Danny didn't actually play the drums on "You're the Inspiration." It was Carlos Vega.

[TheBeaugraham]

@carl22069 You think Danny is better you dont have to think man he is BETTER

[welchsa]

I met Bill once and he seemed friendly to me. He was great on 16 and 17, but then started taking too many liberties with the melodies. Looking forward to hearing his replacement. And what kind of tank top is that?? It's cut like a woman's blouse!! :-)

[wonkavella]

@carl22069 i agree with you and being a musician has nothing to do with knowing your stuff.you are correct how many hits did chicago have after danny was let go.how many did they have when he was still in the band.the record spoke.

[wonkavella]

@carl22069 i think danny was actually more rock if you compare him to say bobby colomby.he was great at morphing into all styles

[wonkavella]

it is hard for a drummer of his magnitude to dumb down what they did in the 80's.there are ways to do it and i feel danny did it to the best of his ability.as far as him being a jazz drummer i don't feel he is.i feel he can play jazz but i feel he is just a drummer who can play all styles the way a drummer should be able to.tris himself loved danny's licks and kept alot of them.tris is a great drummer danny would have to say so but to say danny sucked is a sin

[brucecannonable]

Did they make Danny wear that hairpiece?

[ruedydude]

How could Champlin chew gum and sing at the same time? Did anyone notice that?

[TheDavidbooth]

Bill sucks always did. Met him 3 times a rude person, was lucky Danny helped put him in bad! he got danny out of Chicago. I am glad hes out maybe they will reitre or finally have a reuinion tour leave Bill out.

[1967chicagogirl2564]

Bill..Do shut up...I agree..You could NEVER (in a billion years) EVER pull off ANY of Terry's songs...I always cringed when I saw you performing with Chicago and you sang.. And as far as the "plot" you and Jason (questionably) had to dump Danny out of the band, THAT was TOTALLY beyond your discretion...You're gone now, though... Thank God...You NEVER replaced Terry and Jason will NEVER replace Peter...You two made a mockery of their vocal parts...Robert should have sung Terrry's songs..NOT you!!

[mnbuio]

Shut the f*ck up, Bill.  You suck.

[ruedydude]

Isn't it strange that just 2 years later DS was kicked out of the band? DS says that Scheff wanted him out as some others but Robert Lamm was out voted.

[PhilUSM]

actully they fired danny in 90 not 89

[rfday1]

Wasn't it Bill Champlin who was very vocal on VHI Behind the Music saying that the band just wanted Danny to focus on his drum playing and not the business side of the band? Not all what he is saying in this video. This was from 1988 and he was fired by the band in 1989. Totally changed his tune of Danny in one year. Danny was an incredible drummer and better than Tris.

[arhuxtable]

I don't believe this! Danny Seraphine is complately clean shaven. No beard or moustache.

[pak3857]

I didnt name call..... he just happened to be in the right place at the right time ....listen to his solos now with CTA...THEY ARE JAZZ SOLOS....... HE IS A GOOD JAZZ DRUMMER ...HE WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE..LIKE ANY ONE ELSE THAT MADE IT BIG.......I AM A DRUMMER ...MY 8YR OLD SON IS A DRUMMER ...MY SON CAN PLAY LICKS AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN HIM....NO NAME CALLING

[talktalk666]

pak- why don't you and your son just move to some faraway place, so you two can be alone with all your greatness. Your manifesto is old and tired.

[TheBeaugraham]

@pak3857 Your 8 year old can play licks as good or better than Danny Serpahine that is the biggest bunch of bull shit ive ever heard. If that is the case i look forward to seeing him on some talent show very soon. Danny Serepahine has Jazzy drum chops because Chicago used Jazz in their music man all this arguing is hilarious

[pak3857]

You are apparently "NOT ' a musician..... those songs are " straight " 1234.... my 8yr old son could play those beats...you are blind, deaf and stupid. Danny was there when the band formed and they found someone better ( after Danny wanted to be the boss instead of playing drums) and the band has moved on...better thatn ever....you are stupid ..deaf and ignorent

[pak3857]

In all the " recordings" Dnny played jazz style licks that didnt even " fit" what the band was doing ....if CHICAGO was a contemperary jazz band ...which they were not ..he would have been great. They were friends in the begining and he was not performing when things got rough. My 8 yr old son is better than Danny. The band has moved on for the BETTER,,,,,DAMN........CHK OUT SOME OF DANNY;S VIDEO'S NOW ....THEY ARE NO BETTER....ALL JAZZ

[pak3857]

and dont forget the hair peice...too good...

[luke3jes]

You are kidding, right? It's was Danny's jazz training (e.g. w/ Chuck Flores, Joe Jones, etc.) that gave him a unique style. It fit perfectly into Chicago's jazzy rock-pop sound and was the standout in most all of Chicago's tunes, hits and album cuts alike. PS don't go knockin' people down with the "I'm a musician and you're not BS". True pros don't stoop to that level. Unless you're on the lists of greats as Danny Seraphine is alongside the Buddy Rich's and Bill Cobham's, knock it off.

[pak3857]

Danny may have been one of the " Founding Fathers" and there is nothing that should addressed towards Tris but Danny was not as good as you think Again he was a "JAZZ" drummer in a R&R band. he was not as good as you think. jazz is jazz danny is jazz

[wonkavella]

@pak3857 what the hell does that mean?

[finepix26]

bill a typical bullshiter

[ByHisWounds]

Whoa! This is a very telling video. I never knew this interview existed. Thanks for the upload!

Bill Champlin had a lot of audacity to say the things he did, having only been in the band for six years at the time. He spoke as though he were a founding member, and with quite a bit of arrogance. I've often sensed that from him, but I could be wrong.

[ByHisWounds]

Anyway, aside from confessing that Seraphine held the band together when it had lost its direction, Champlin also admitted an important point about Seraphine's drumming: his *adventurous* spirit and energy, which was missing from a lot of music at the time.

[ByHisWounds]

Ironically, the band went behind Danny's back, gave him the boot, and replaced him with a predictable timekeeper who helped them become a boring, formulaic, Adult Contemporary group that quickly devolved into a summer oldies act. (And I mean no offense to Tris, personally.)

[ByHisWounds]

What I've come to realize is that the real Chicago died in three stages, each of which involved the original rhythm section. First, the band lost its soul when Terry passed away. Second, the band lost its voice when Peter departed. Third, the band lost its energy and artistry when Danny was kicked out. Collectively, Kath, Cetera, and Seraphine comprised the heart of Chicago -- not the horns as many think -- and once they were all gone, the heart of the band was ultimately ripped out.

[ByHisWounds]

The only hope Chicago has now is Robert Lamm, who is hands down the best vocalist in the current band. Unfortunately, his songwriting is going to waste because the band won't record new music, aside from XXX, if that counts. But are they out promoting the new record? No! They made several TV appearances recently, and what did they play? "Saturday In The Park"! It's sad.

[pak3857]

Bill is still there Danny is gone ....enough said

[ByHisWounds]

Okay, that's true, but what does this prove?

[pak3857]

Nothing...Bill is a LEGEND Danny is a drummer searching for a band....Bill can play with anyone and still be LEGEND...Danny can play and still be just a drummer

[wonkavella]

@pak3857 lol and now bill is gone and his replacement blows him away and is a better keyboardist he also sings the cetera songs.so you said a mouthful.where is bill now nowhere

[TheBeaugraham]

@wonkavella Bill now im sure is happier than hell to not be singing the same old songs over and over. Bill will keep recording new music and moving forward with the Sons. Chicago can stick to being an oldies tribute to themselves performing the same overplayed setlist day in and day out. Bill is better off and way more talented than any member of Chicago.

[wonkavella]

@TheBeaugraham looking bad i may have been hard on old bill he is great at what he does like i gave it some thought and bill was and is a great musician and writer.i agree chicago has turned into an oldies act and will never get the fire back that they had with terry kath.it is something that saddens me i do think lou pardini is a better fit but to say that he is more talented than any member of chicago is a joke hate to say but chicago made him a star

[TheBeaugraham]

@wonkavella I had never heard of Lou Paradini before he joined Chicago. Bill im sure is happier now he can move forward by writing new material and not having to sing the same songs every night how boring. Im thinking he sung Make Me Smile like Shit on purpose so the band would fire him because he has too much class to leave on his own hahaha

[wonkavella]

@TheBeaugraham yeah he is writing new material that will never be heard on any level that chicago is at now or ever.you are absolutely right about that.like chicago his prime is gone the difference is now that he is gone people will make an effort to go see them now.class?did you listen to the interveiw?

[ladiezroom]

@wonkavella IMO chicago lost their fire already after 1972-- i really enjoy the pre-caribou-ranch-era, but after that the coke and the money got too important.

[wonkavella]

@ladiezroom yeah i'd have to say after the 5th album they kind of got lost

[WrestlingHeretic]

Sonny, think twice before you close the door....

[ByHisWounds]

Very clever remark! Bill should have taken your advice.

[sanderjm]

The body language just screams at me!!

[luke3jes]

Good points. Danny started the band and went on to become one of the most respected drum stylists in the biz and pushed Chicago through 12 platinum albums and sold out arenas world-wide while Champlin was smokin' bongs and playing dives with the Sons. Champ is great but here he should have just shut up and then he and Jason should have respected their places as journeymen. Danny has had the last laugh musically though as his CTA blows away current Chicago and Tris' lame drumming (sorry Tris).

[ByHisWounds]

I completely agree, man! I'm waiting for the sequel to CTA's "Full Circle" album. Danny never lost his chops. If anything, he only improved! All he needs now is a live horn section and Cetera on vocals alongside Larry Braggs. The only thing that could make that scenario better is if Peter played bass again and if Robert Lamm joined. Hey, a guy can dream, right?

[ireadbook]

Spot on.

[kpl1228]

"adventurous?" "Taking chances?"

the writings on the wall here.....

[HCxGRILLOx]

Danny´s face in the begginin says ALL.

Come on CTA!!

[scribbled309]

Danny is gracious and generous here. Bill manages to flash a smile and a dagger at the same time--just as he is getting ready to stab Danny in the back. Bill has some talent. But in the end he's a journeyman. Not big-time, like Danny was for a time.

[drumlord123]

Finally!!! Here is Bill saying Danny was the one that brought in David Foster. In other interviews He took credit for it.

Danny was the leader of the band. Jason and Bill came in spouting what other musicians have always said. "drummers are a dime a dozen" and the other originals bought into it. Danny was man enough to stay sober and make observations and eventually lay down the law. In my opinion, Danny kept the guys focused when they very well could have quit after Terry died.

[MeAndMyRC]

And they let him go, so some appreciation!

[MeAndMyRC]

Bill speaks so highly of Danny here! So why the heck did he and others vote him out..excuse me, FIRE him as Serafine puts it.

[geraci89]

are you on acid? he's not talking highly of him at all!!

[MeAndMyRC]

He said he is like a 'father figure' and creates 'Positive energy' doesn't sound negative to me.

[geraci89]

well obviously hes not gonna say something totally rude to this guy on the air, thatd be straight up wrong, its obviously bill's hating on him though.

[grayfoxx3]

Your mother was on my hot dick last night you geraci89 cock sucker you!!!!!!!!!!!

[geraci89]

...lol uhh was that supposed to offend me? clo0o0o0o0o0wn

[geraci89]

LOL yeah after watching that i realized how much bill was slapping danny. "catching the wave and still trying to catch more after he's on the wave" aka danny piping up too much for the bands sake when he should just shut up and play. "adventurous drummer" aka losing his touch and being 50/50 on his technicality. tsktsk

[geraci89]

how much do u think they DIDN'T like eachother here? seems like a fair bit

[DracIsBack]

Blew up not long after this. ;-)

[Lisalee66]

Danny really hit the nail on the head when he said Bill is one of the best vocalists in the business! Same with Bill talking about Danny's "adventurous spirit".

[geraci89]

best vocalist? he's pretty good when he's not looking like he's having a seizure on top of the lyrics

[Lisalee66]

Got that outta your system? Clap, clap,clap...

[geraci89]

well its true! whats really creepy is that I was JUST looking at one of your posts from the forum and the pics from the concert and convention on myspace. dont get me wrong bill's awesome in every way, just really needs to chill on the ad libbing. thats a fact not so much an opinion

[Lisalee66]

I think you'd better look up the definition of "fact". It's TOTALLY an opinion...one which you are certainly entitled. What I don't get is why you had voice it in such a mean spirited way. Let's agree to save that for the schoolyard, ok?

[geraci89]

true, it can be an opinion, but MANY others including myself feel he's not really suited to sing Terry's parts, he pretty much demolished Make Me Smile and Introduction to name 2, thank god Bobby took over intro. lately he hasn't been as bad though. Maybe people have voiced that directly to him? seems more like a fact than an opinion. imagine if he sang colour my world? oh god....

[kingdomoftheworm]

Yeah, I definitely think Robert is the only one who comes close to replicating Terry's singing.

[geraci89]

word. he sang make me smile amazingly

[ByHisWounds]

Ditto!  No one but Lamm should be permitted to sing Kath's songs.

[TheBeaugraham]

@Lisalee66 No No Geraci89 is right it is a fact Bill is great but the adlibbing was never part of the song there for it should be in the song now. Opinions are for the weak who have bad taste in music. Facts are for people who know what they are talking about and Geraci 89 has it right

[Lisalee66]

@TheBeaugraham not sure if your OPINION is that I have bad taste in music or Bill does...your comment makes NO sense. Either way...I couldn't care less. You're statement is hilarious if nothing else. Thanks for the chuckle. What? You all pissed off cause I didn't want to exchange endless emails with you? Grow up.

[TheBeaugraham]

@Lisalee66 The Chuckle i was dead serious and this is coming from a huge Bill Champlin fan i have about 60 of his solo songs and some Sons Of Champlin stuff. What i meant was he should have layed off the over singing and addlibing of songs that werent written that way. I dont know why you find my message hilarious i was a serious as a heart attack

[kincher23]

"Caught The Wave" right out of the Band in 1990!

[conlanding]

Danny Seraphine claimed that there was too much politics going on in the band at the time of dismissal from Chicago. The other members of the band at that time, origional members Bobby Lamm, Jimmy Pankow, Walt Parazaider, Lee Loughnane and new members Bill Champlain, Jason Scheff and Dawayne Bailey all had a meeting and voted him out as their drummer. His replacement Tris Imboden is still with the band today.