Rock History

2004 – Blues saxophonist A.C. Reed dies in Chicago of complications from cancer. He is

1978 – Van Halen opens its first tour at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. The group’s contract specifies that M&Ms be provided to the group during the stint with the brown candies removed. Part of this first tour was to open up for Black Sabbath in several locations.

Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978 until the late 1990s when various troubles overcame the band. As of 2007 Van Halen has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide and have had the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Van Halen is the 19th best selling band/artist of all time with sales of over 56 million albums in the USA and is one of five rock bands that have had two albums sell more than 10 million copies in the USA.

In addition to being recognized for quality and success, the band is known for the drama surrounding the exits of former members. The (multiple) exits of singers Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth were surrounded in controversy and mass press coverage with various contrasting press statements between them and the band. More recently, founding bassist Michael Anthony was kicked out of the band for controversial reasons. Following their 2004 concert tour the band was on a hiatus from the public until September 2006, new bassist Wolfgang Van Halen’s place was confirmed and Roth-reunion rumours began to re-surface coinciding with the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on March 12, 2007. After years of speculation, Van Halen began a tour with Roth in late 2007 across North America, which has been extended into early 2008.

History

David Lee Roth era (1972–1985)
The Van Halen brothers first started playing music together when Alex took up the guitar and Eddie the drums. However, after some time with this set up, the two switched places. Their first band, started in 1971 was named the “Trojan Rubber Company.” In 1972 the Van Halen brothers formed a band called “Mammoth” which featured Eddie as lead vocalist/guitarist, Alex Van Halen on drums and Tim McNulty on bass. They initially rented a sound system from David Lee Roth but decided to save money by letting him join as lead vocalist even though he had previously auditioned unsuccessfully for this. By 1974 the band decided to replace Stone. Michael Anthony, bassist and lead vocalist from local band “Snake” was auditioned. Following an all night jam session he was hired for bass and backing vocals.

Mammoth discovered in 1974 that their name was already being used and changed to “Van Halen”. According to Roth, this was his idea. They played backyard parties and on a flatbed truck at Hamilton Park. Van Halen played clubs in Pasadena and Hollywood to growing audiences, increasing their popularity through self promotion: before each gig they would pass out fliers at local high schools. This soon built them a major following.

The band became a staple on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip during the mid-1970s, consistently playing at well known clubs like the Whisky a Go Go. In 1977 Gene Simmons, from Kiss, saw Van Halen and financed their first demo tape, flying the band to the Electric Lady Studios, New York City to record “House of Pain” and “Runnin’ With the Devil”. Eddie disliked the demo, because he was not using his own equipment and had to overdub guitar parts. Simmons wanted to change the band’s name to “Daddy Longlegs” and had designed cover art (a daddy longlegs wearing a top hat), but the band stuck with Van Halen. Simmons then opted out of further involvement.

In 1977, Mo Ostin and Ted Templeman of Warner Bros. Records saw Van Halen perform at the Starwood in Hollywood. Although the audience was small, the two were so impressed with Van Halen that within a week they offered them a recording contract. In October of that year, Van Halen recorded their eponymous first album at Sunset Sound Recorders studio. All of the tracks were laid down in about three weeks, with little over-dubbing or double tracking. Minor mistakes were purposely left on the record and a simple musical set-up was used to give the record a live feel. Despite its simple components, Van Halen proved innovative in musical technique, production, and arrangement.

On release, Van Halen reached #12 on the Billboard pop music charts, one of rock’s most commercially successful debuts. It is a highly regarded hard rock album. The album included songs now regarded as Van Halen classics, like “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” and the guitar solo “Eruption”, which showcased Eddie’s use of a playing technique known as ‘finger-tapping’. The band toured for nearly a year, opening for Black Sabbath and establishing a reputation for their performances. The band’s chemistry came out of a contrast between Eddie Van Halen’s technical guitar wizardry and David Lee Roth’s flamboyant antics, which later turned them into rivals. They returned to the studio in 1979 for Van Halen II, similar in style to their debut. This album yielded the band’s first hit single, “Dance The Night Away.”

Over the next few years, the band alternated album releases and touring to increasing commercial and critical acclaim and became one of the world’s most successful and influential bands. Their party-loving spirit and hard rocking anthem-like sound made them popular with teenagers. Women and Children First was released in 1980 and further cemented Van Halen’s status. But in 1981, during the recording of the Fair Warning album, tensions rose. Eddie’s desire for more serious and complex songs was at odds with Roth’s poppy style. Although Roth (and producer Templeman) acquiesced to Eddie’s wishes, Fair Warning was a sales disappointment, with no hits. In later interviews Eddie would reveal that he was struggling with alcoholism during the production of Fair Warning and this resulted in the album’s darker tone.

Diver Down performed better. The band then earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest-paid single appearance of a band: $1 million for a 90 minute set at the 1983 US Festival. Despite this return to form, Roth and Eddie’s differences continued, and this caused friction with other band members. According to bassist Billy Sheehan, after his band Talas completed a tour with Van Halen, he was approached by Eddie Van Halen to replace Michael Anthony. The reasons for this were never clear to Sheehan, because nothing came out of it

Van Halen’s next album, 1984 (released on January 9, 1984) was their commercial pinnacle. Recorded at Eddie Van Halen’s newly-built 5150 Studios, the album featured keyboards which had only been used sporadically on previous albums. The lead single, “Jump”, featured a synthesizer hook and anthemic lyrics, and became the band’s first and only #1 pop hit, garnering them a Grammy nomination.. Other hit singles included “Panama”, “I’ll Wait”, and “Hot for Teacher”. Many of the songs had popular music videos on MTV. 1984 was praised by critics and fans alike, peaking at #2 on the Billboard charts.

However, the album was also a breaking point. In the midst of the tour, the artistic and personal tensions among the musicians reached a fever pitch. Reasons for the breakup vary based on the band member interviewed, but were rooted in control of the band’s sound and image. Roth was upset about Eddie playing music outside of Van Halen without checking with the band and Eddie was sick of Roth’s flamboyant behavior and stage persona. On April 1, 1985, Roth left Van Halen.

1967 – Crazy baldhead Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins is born in Chicago. And he’s not happy about it.

1948 – Born on this day, Danny Seraphine, drums, Chicago, (1976 UK & US No.1 single ‘If You Leave Me Now’).

Daniel Peter “Danny” Seraphine (born August 28, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.

Early life

Danny Seraphine was born in Chicago and raised in the Little Italy district. He started playing drums at the age of nine. When he was 15 years old, Seraphine dropped out of high school, but eventually studied privately with famed percussionist Bob Tillis at DePaul University, where members of Chicago’s horn section were also studying.

He continued his education with big band drummer Chuck Flores, followed by two years of study under jazz drummer Jo Jones (also known as Papa Jo Jones) in the mid-1970s.
Tenure with Chicago

By the late 1960s, Seraphine was drumming in various bands, including one with teen friends Walter Parazaider (saxophone and woodwinds) and Terry Kath (guitar). Named at first The Big Thing, the band eventually became Chicago after the addition of Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), Robert Lamm (keyboards) and Peter Cetera (bass).

Their producer and manager, James William Guercio, moved Chicago out to Los Angeles and they became the house band at the Whisky A Go Go. They subsequently obtained a contract with Columbia Records and recorded their first album – a double album – in just two weeks. The album was titled after the band’s name, The Chicago Transit Authority, and released in 1969. (The band would later shorten their name to Chicago).

While he did not contribute significantly as a songwriter at first, Seraphine eventually co-wrote several songs for the band: “Lowdown” (a Top 40 hit for the band), “Little One,” “Take Me Back to Chicago,” “Show Me the Way,” “Birthday Boy” and “Street Player.” His writing partner was often David “Hawk” Wolinski, the keyboardist for Chaka Khan and Rufus.

From the mid-1970s until the early-1980s, Seraphine was the principal and most well-known owner of B’Ginnings, a large musical showcase nightclub in Schaumburg, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Dismissal from Chicago

In early March 1990, following shows in Belfast, Dublin, and Birmingham, Seraphine played his final two shows with Chicago at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England. In May, Chicago’s manager, Howard Kaufman, called Seraphine to inform him that the other members of the band had held a meeting and voted him out as their drummer.

Chicago trombonist James Pankow has asserted that Seraphine did not practice enough, and that live shows were adversely affected by his performances, with the last show at the Hammersmith Odeon being the final motivating factor for Seraphine being fired.[1] Later interviews with Pankow and Lamm clarified this stance, indicating that the band was upset with Seraphine’s insistence on taking sight-seeing trips of the English countryside during that leg of the tour. Seraphine and his wife were arising early on the days of these shows to take tours of castles and estates. Seraphine would then arrive at the concert venue late and totally exhausted from the day’s activities, resulting in sluggish and unpredictable drumming. This problem was evident in reviews by the English press; in fact, it was many years before Chicago would venture onto British soil again.

Seraphine has said, “The reason I’m no longer in Chicago is the lead singers, the new lead singers, Jason Scheff and Bill Champlin, didn’t like the fact that a drummer was running the band.” They subsequently gave an ultimatum to the other band members that either Seraphine be let go or the two of them would leave the band. He went on to say, “Out of all people that should be criticizing me for not practicing, it shouldn’t be Jim Pankow because there’s a guy that has really neglected his craft.” Danny did practice and work on his technique after his divorce and the loss of his family lifestyle in such a sudden way.
Life after Chicago

After being dismissed from Chicago, Seraphine settled for many years in Colorado, where he kept himself busy with a variety of musical and theatrical projects, including producing local musical acts. Seraphine has since moved back to the Los Angeles area.

In more recent years, Seraphine has turned his attention to producing and resourcing investment for Broadway shows, which included bringing the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Bombay Dreams” to Broadway following its London run.

2009 saw the release of Lonely Street, a film for which Seraphine served as an executive producer and the music supervisor.

His daughter, Taryn, was included in a recent episode of Punk’d in a gag that involved her as one of many being interviewed as a possible intern for Ashton Kutcher. The episode also featured Tom Arnold, who visited the house while Kutcher was gone.
California Transit Authority

In early 2006, Danny Seraphine debuted a new band, California Transit Authority (CTA), featuring himself on drums, Marc Bonilla on lead guitar, Mick Mahan on bass guitar, Ed Roth and Peter Fish on keyboards, Mike Wallace on guitar, and Larry Braggs on vocals. Seraphine and Bonilla initially put the band together to play for several charity benefit shows.

Following a positive response, they put together a full 70 minute set. Their first Los Angeles area performance took place at the Canyon Club on January 27, 2006.

Included in the new band’s repertoire are several Chicago songs, including “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “South California Purples,” “Happy Cause I’m Going Home,” “Devil’s Sweet” and Steve Winwood’s “I’m A Man”. Also included is a be-bop number co-written by Seraphine, which features a drum solo Seraphine describes as “challenging”. Seraphine considers “Something Different” (a hard-driving jazz-rock cover of a Cannonball Adderley song) to be the band’s signature piece, which highlights Bonilla’s virtuosity as both a player and an arranger.

CTA released their first studio album, Full Circle, on August 14, 2007, followed by a tour of the United States.
Endorsements

When Seraphine first started recording with Chicago he was a faithful user of Rogers and Slingerland drums, whose kits were being made famous by Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa (Seraphine has stated Rich as a major influence, which is probably why he chose Slingerland for so long). He used a wide array Slingerland drum sets from 1969 through 1984′s Chicago 17 tour. He switched to Yamaha drums for the final leg of the 1985 Chicago 17 tour and played Yamaha drums on Chicago 18 (1986) and its subsequent tour (through 1987). In 1988 Seraphine became an endorser of the now widely popular DW drums. Today he still endorses DW, along with Zildjian cymbals and Remo drum heads.

1948 – Walter Parazaider (Chicago) is born this day in rock!

1947 – Dennis DeYoung of Styx is born in Chicago. His biggest solo hit is the top 10 song “Desert Moon” in 1984.

1946 – Born on this day, Lee Loughnane, trumpet, Chicago, (1976 UK & US No.1 single ‘If You Leave Me Now’).

1944 – Born on this day, Peter Cetera, singer, Chicago (1976 US & UK No.1 single ‘If You Leave Me Now’), solo (1986 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Glory Of Love’).

Peter Paul Cetera (born September 13, 1944, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) is an American singer, songwriter, bass guitar player and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career.[1] As a solo artist Cetera has scored five Top 40 singles, including two that reached number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Early life
Family

Cetera (pronounced /s??t?r?/ s?-TERR-?) was born and raised in the Morgan Park section of Chicago, Illinois, located on the far South Side., who are listed as contributing musicians on some of the recordings he made with Chicago and on some of his solo recordings.
Formal education

Cetera attended Mendel Catholic Prep High School, graduating in 1962, and is listed among the “Notable Alumni”.
Musical beginnings

Cetera’s interest in music began at 11 years of age when his parents bought him an accordion instead of the guitar he wanted. When he was 15, some older students from his high school took him to a club to see a band called The Rebel Rockers, which led to his purchasing an acoustic guitar at Montgomery Ward.

He eventually took up the bass guitar, and with some high school friends—a drummer, guitarist and saxophone player—Cetera began playing the local dance circuit, dividing lead vocals with the guitarist. Cetera played in several groups in the Chicago area, including a popular local rock band named The Exceptions, which toured the Midwest in the mid 1960s, releasing two albums and several singles.
Professional music career
Tenure in Chicago

In December 1967, Cetera arrived early for a show to watch a band called The Big Thing. Impressed by their use of a horn section combined with rock and roll, Cetera left The Exceptions to join The Big Thing within two weeks.

The Big Thing, which soon changed its name to The Chicago Transit Authority (and eventually shortened it to Chicago after complaints by the actual CTA), released their self-titled debut album The Chicago Transit Authority on Columbia Records in 1969. Cetera sang lead vocal on three of the eleven songs on the album, with his tenor voice complementing the baritone voices of the two other lead singers in the group, keyboardist Robert Lamm and guitarist Terry Kath.

His trademark singing style would develop as a result of having to sing for a period of time with a wired-shut jaw after getting into a brawl at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 1969.

The follow-up album, Chicago, vaulted the band to popular status throughout the world. The song “25 or 6 to 4″ was the first major hit single with Cetera singing lead vocals. Chicago is also notable for featuring Cetera’s first songwriting effort, “Where Do We Go From Here?”

As the 1970s progressed, Cetera would become a more prolific songwriter for the group, contributing the hits “Wishing You Were Here” (#11) and “Happy Man” from the 1974 album Chicago VII.

His biggest singing and songwriting accomplishment with Chicago came in 1976 with their first worldwide No. 1 single, the ballad “If You Leave Me Now.” Cetera’s next composition in 1977, “Baby, What A Big Surprise” (#4), also became a major hit and cemented the band’s status in the late 1970s as a “ballad band.”

By the end of the 1970s, with the rise of disco music, Chicago’s popularity declined, culminating in the release of the band’s poorest-selling album Chicago XIV (#71) in 1980. Columbia Records subsequently bought out the remainder of Chicago’s contract.
Peter Cetera, his first solo album, released in 1981

In 1981, Cetera released his first solo album, Peter Cetera, on Warner Bros. Records, after personally buying the rights from his previous contract with Columbia Records, who would not release the project. The album was, subsequently, a commercial failure, which Cetera attributed to Warner Bros.’ refusal to promote him as a solo artist out of fear that he would leave Chicago, who had only recently signed with the label.

In 1982, David Foster was brought in as producer and the resulting group effort was Chicago 16 (#9). The album represented a major comeback for Chicago, and leading the way was the hit single co-written (with Foster) and featured Cetera on lead vocals, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” which went to #1 in the charts. The second single, “Love Me Tomorrow,” was also co-written (again with Foster) and sung by Cetera, reaching No. 22 on the singles chart. The third single, “What You’re Missing,” was yet again sung by Cetera. In 1983, he took a break from his duties as Chicago frontman to add backing vocals on Paul Anka’s final U.S. Top-40 hit Hold Me Til The Mornin’ Comes, which debuted in the summer of that year.

When Chicago 17 was released in 1984, it became the veteran band’s most successful selling album in their history, eventually going on to sell over 7 million copies in the United States alone. All four singles released from the album were sung by Cetera, including three which he co-wrote, and all of them charted in the top 20: “Stay the Night” (#16), “Hard Habit to Break” (#3), “You’re the Inspiration” (#3) and “Along Comes a Woman” (#14).

With the advent of the music video and the growing popularity of MTV, Cetera became the ‘face’ and public leader of the longtime faceless band that was Chicago.
Departure from Chicago

With his newfound popularity, Cetera was interested in recording another solo album. In addition, he had stated his lack of interest for the extensive touring schedule of the band, especially to promote Chicago 17. When the 17 Tour concluded in May 1985, Chicago’s management, along with several members of the band, had expressed a desire to book another tour for that summer and start work on the next Chicago album. Cetera insisted that they take a break from touring so that he could concentrate on a solo album and spend more time with his family.

After the band rejected his offer to stay in the band while recording a solo album (similar to the arrangement between Phil Collins and Genesis at the time), it was announced that Cetera and Chicago would go their separate ways in July 1985.
Solo career

Almost immediately, Cetera continued his streak of success. His first single, “Glory of Love” (the theme to the movie The Karate Kid, Part II), was a US No. 1 hit in 1986, and achieved similar success throughout the world.
Peter Cetera’s first solo single after parting ways with Chicago, “Glory of Love,” went to No. 1 in 1986

His album, Solitude/Solitaire, released in 1986, was also successful, selling over 1 million copies and producing another No. 1 hit single, “The Next Time I Fall,” a duet with Amy Grant, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. In fact, Solitude/Solitaire outsold Chicago 18 (#35), the first Chicago album without him.

His third solo album, One More Story, was released in 1988 and contained the No. 4 hit single “One Good Woman” and “Save Me,” the original opening theme for the television show Baywatch.

In 1988 he recorded another duet, this time with Madonna. The song, “Sheherazade” was included on his album.

In 1989, Cetera recorded another duet, this time with Cher, called “After All,” which was included on the soundtrack of the movie Chances Are. It reached #6 on the US charts..

In 1992, his final album on Warner Bros. Records, World Falling Down, was released. It featured the Adult Contemporary #1 hit, “Restless Heart”, as well as two other successful singles: “Even a Fool Can See” and a duet with Chaka Khan, “Feels Like Heaven.”

In 1995, Cetera released his first album for River North Records, One Clear Voice, and featured the hit single, “(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight,” a duet with actress Crystal Bernard. Following the release of the album, Cetera launched his first solo tour—accompanied by his River North labelmate, country singer Ronna Reeves — lasting into 1996.

1997 brought You’re the Inspiration: A Collection, a collection of all his duets from over the years, along with three re-recorded songs he had written while a member of Chicago, and two brand new recordings.

2001 saw the release of Another Perfect World.

In 2002, Cetera performed a medley of four of his songs at The Concert for World Children’s Day, backed by David Foster and an orchestra at Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. Subsequently, this led to his appearance, in 2003, with the Chicago Pops Orchestra on the PBS music program Soundstage, which was broadcast throughout the United States and released on DVD.

From 2003 until the summer of 2007, Cetera performed a very limited number of concerts each year with a 40 piece orchestra, playing re-arrangements of songs from throughout his career, including several from his tenure as a member of Chicago.

In 2004, Cetera released a collection of holiday classics, You Just Gotta Love Christmas, which featured background and duet vocals by his eldest daughter, Claire.

Cetera has sung “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Wrigley Field for a Chicago Cubs game at least three times: in 2003; and again on May 2, 2009 on Comcast Sports Net.

In December 2007, Cetera embarked on the You Just Gotta Love Christmas tour of the United States. It marked his return to a traditional rock band show, his first since 1996, featured songs from his 2004 Christmas album and from throughout his career.

Shortly after Cetera was featured in the cover story of the December 2007 issue of Bass Player magazine he saw Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, playing bass guitar on television. Cetera sent his compliments, along with an autographed copy of the issue, to Huckabee, who was at that time a presidential hopeful in the 2008 Republican primaries. Huckabee said, “I was totally awestruck to get a letter from Peter Cetera. …having one of the greatest bass players in my generation give me a compliment is like winning New Hampshire.”
Other musical contributions

Over the years, Cetera has contributed as a singer, producer, bass guitar player and songwriter for numerous artists.

When he was 22 years old in 1966, Cetera played bass guitar on Chicago folk singer and songwriter Dick Campbell’s album Dick Campbell Sings Where It’s At.

In 1976, Cetera performed background vocals on “Hurly Burly,” the lead song on rock band Angelo’s self-titled debut album.

In 1977, Cetera provided vocals on Beached, an album by Ricci Martin (the son of Dean Martin), and produced by Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys.

In 1978, Cetera sang background vocals on Billy Joel’s song, “My Life,” from Joel’s 52nd Street album.

In 1979, Cetera wrote and sang a duet with Karen Carpenter, “Making Love In The Afternoon,” for her only solo album, which was not released until 1996.

In 1983, he sang on “Hold Me ‘Til The Morning Comes” with vocalist and songwriter Paul Anka, a song produced by David Foster.

In 1984, Cetera sang a duet with Japanese singer Naoko Kawai entitled “Love Assistant.” The song appeared on her album Daydream Coast, which was recorded in Los Angeles.

In 1987, Cetera produced Swedish former ABBA member Agnetha Fältskog’s third English-language album, I Stand Alone, in Los Angeles. He co-wrote the title track (with Bruce Gaitsch) and sang a duet on “I Wasn’t the One (Who Said Goodbye).” The song peaked at No. 93 on Billboard Hot 100 and became a No. 19 hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

In 1991, he co-wrote (with David Foster and Linda Thompson) and sang on “Voices That Care,” a song and supporting documentary music video intended to help boost the morale of American troops involved in Operation Desert Storm, as well as supporting the International Red Cross organization. The single reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales, No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, and No. 6 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks.

In 1996, Cetera provided background vocals on “God’s Perfect Plan,” a song on Janey Clewer’s album Call Me Romantic.

In 1997, Cetera performed on Philadelphia R&B group Az Yet’s remake of his 1982 Chicago song, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” The single reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved platinum status.

In 1998, Cetera served as the producer and background vocalist for country singer Ronna Reeves’ first pop album, Day 14. Reeves, a River North Records labelmate of Cetera’s at the time, had performed a duet, a cover of ABBA’s “SOS,” on Cetera’s 1995 album One Clear Voice.

In 2002, Cetera contributed to two songs on Amos Galpin’s album, Rock N Roll Recidivist, providing harmony vocals on “You’ll Go” and playing bass guitar on “Dreaming of Bones.”

In 2005, Cetera performed a duet, “Barbados,” on former Poco member Paul Cotton’s album When the Coast is Clear.

In 2010, Cetera appeared in and sang an original song in “Little Danson Man,” a sketch on Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! starring Ted Danson and David Cross (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/26/tiny-ted-danson-and-david_n_552279.html).
Acting credits

Cetera has appeared in two movies: Electra Glide in Blue, filmed in 1973, where he played the character of Bob Zemko; and Sidney Sheldon’s Memories of Midnight, a 1991 television movie made for the USA Network, where he played the role of Larry Douglas. He appeared in the 2010 Adult Swim program Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!.
Personal life

In 1982, Cetera married Diane Nini, with whom he had his first daughter. Cetera and Nini divorced in 1991.

For a period of time, Cetera was brother-in-law to bandmate Robert Lamm, who had married Diane’s sister, Julie. They have since been divorced.

His second daughter, Senna, born in 1997 by an ex-girlfriend, lives in Nashville, where in 2006, she starred in the music video for country singer Josh Turner’s song, “Would You Go with Me,” which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.

Cetera has lived in Sun Valley, Idaho, since the mid-1980s, where he routinely participates in numerous sports, including basketball, mountain biking, soccer, ice hockey and motorcycling.
Discography

Official studio albums

* 1981 – Peter Cetera #143 US
* 1986 – Solitude/Solitaire #23 US (Platinum)
* 1988 – One More Story #58 US
* 1992 – World Falling Down #163 US
* 1995 – One Clear Voice
* 1997 – You’re the Inspiration: A Collection #134 US
* 2001 – Another Perfect World
* 2004 – You Just Gotta Love Christmas

Hit singles

All chart information is from Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart except where noted.

* from Peter Cetera
o 1982 – “Livin’ In The Limelight” #6 (Mainstream Rock) US
o 1983 – “Hold Me ‘Til the Morning Comes” #40 US (back-up vocals for Paul Anka)
* from Solitude/Solitaire
o 1986 – “Glory of Love” #1 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #3 UK (also appears on the soundtrack to The Karate Kid, Part II)
o 1986 – “The Next Time I Fall” (with Amy Grant) #1 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #78 UK
o 1987 – “Big Mistake” #61 US
o 1987 – “Only Love Knows Why” #24 (Adult Contemporary) US
* from I Stand Alone (Agnetha Fältskog)
o 1987 – “I Wasn’t the One (Who Said Goodbye)” (with Agnetha Fältskog) #93 US, #19 (Adult Contemporary) US
* from One More Story
o 1988 – “One Good Woman” #4 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #82 UK
o 1988 – “Best Of Times” #59 US, #22 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1988 – “You Never Listen To Me” #32 (Mainstream Rock Tracks) US
* from the soundtrack to Chances Are
o 1989 – “After All” (with Cher) #6 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #84 UK
* from World Falling Down
o 1992 – “Restless Heart” #35 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1993 – “Feels Like Heaven” (with Chaka Khan) #71 US, #5 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1993 – “Even A Fool Can See” #68 US, #3 (Adult Contemporary) US
* from One Clear Voice
o 1995 – “(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight” (with Crystal Bernard) #86 US, #22 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1996 – “One Clear Voice” #12 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1996 – “Faithfully” #13 (Adult Contemporary) US
* from Az Yet (Az Yet)
o 1997 – “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” (remake with Az Yet) #8 US, #14 (Adult Contemporary) US, #20 (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks) US
* from You’re the Inspiration: A Collection
o 1997 – “You’re the Inspiration” (re-recording featuring Az Yet) #77 US, #29 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1997 – “Do You Love Me That Much” #6 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 1998 – “She Doesn’t Need Me Anymore” #27 (Adult Contemporary) US
* from Another Perfect World
o 2001 – “Perfect World” #21 (Adult Contemporary) US
* from You Just Gotta Love Christmas
o 2005 – “You Just Gotta Love Christmas” #39 (Adult Contemporary) US
o 2005 – “Something That Santa Claus Left Behind” #37 (Adult Contemporary) US

Movie soundtracks

* 1986 – The Karate Kid, Part II – “Glory of Love”
* 1987 – Princess from the Moon – “Stay With Me”
* 1987 – Three Men and a Baby – “Daddy’s Girl”
* 1989 – Chances Are – “After All” (with Cher)
* 1990 – Pretty Woman – “No Explanation”

Television

* 1990 – Baywatch – opening credits (original NBC Season 1 only) “Save Me”
* 2010 – Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! – Greene Machine