When you think of the singer for Chicago band, your brain probably defaults to that soaring, high-tenor voice from the 1980s power ballads. You know the ones. The songs that played at every wedding for a decade. But honestly, the history of who actually stood behind the microphone for this legendary group is a lot messier—and way more interesting—than a few Top 40 hits.
Most people don't realize that Chicago was never a "one-singer" act. From the very start in 1967, they were a collective. It wasn't about a frontman; it was about the "rock band with horns" sound.
The Original Three-Way Vocal Split
In the early days, before they shortened their name from Chicago Transit Authority, the vocal duties were split between three very different guys. You had Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, and Peter Cetera.
Robert Lamm was the cool, jazz-influenced baritone. He’s the one who wrote and sang "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Beginnings." His voice had this grounded, intellectual vibe. Then you had Terry Kath. Jimi Hendrix famously loved Kath’s guitar playing, but his voice was a soulful, gritty powerhouse. If you listen to "Make Me Smile," that’s all Kath. He brought the "rock" to their rock-jazz fusion.
Then there was Peter Cetera.
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Initially, Cetera was brought in mainly because they needed a bass player and someone who could hit the high notes that Lamm and Kath couldn't reach. It’s wild to think about now, but he wasn't the "main" guy at the start. He was just another piece of the puzzle.
When the Sound Shifted (and Why It Stuck)
Everything changed in 1978. Terry Kath died in a tragic accidental shooting, and the band lost its soulful anchor. It was devastating. They almost quit. But they didn't.
By the time the 1980s rolled around, the band met producer David Foster. Foster basically looked at the group and decided that the power ballad was the way to go. This moved Peter Cetera to the very front of the stage. Songs like "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "You're the Inspiration" became global monsters.
This era is why everyone asks "who is the singer for Chicago?" as if there’s only one answer. To the casual listener, Cetera was the voice. But inside the band, the dynamic was shifting. Cetera eventually left in 1985 because he wanted to do solo work and, quite frankly, he was tired of the grueling tour schedule.
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The Revolving Door: Jason Scheff and Beyond
Replacing a voice as iconic as Cetera’s is a nightmare. They found Jason Scheff, the son of Elvis Presley’s bass player. Scheff had an uncanny ability to hit those same high tenors, and he ended up staying with the band for over 30 years. That’s longer than Cetera was ever there!
But the lineup didn't stop there. Over the years, we’ve seen:
- Bill Champlin: A massive talent who joined in the 80s and added a R&B grit that the band desperately needed after Kath was gone. He sang lead on "Look Away," which was a huge #1 hit.
- Lou Pardini: A keyboardist and singer who took over some of the soul duties later on.
- Jeff Coffey: A short but impressive stint where he handled the high-tenor parts with a lot of power.
Who is the singer for Chicago band right now?
If you go see them live in 2026, you aren't seeing a tribute act. You're seeing a band that still has three original members: Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow.
The man currently handling the "Cetera-style" vocals is Neil Donell.
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Donell is a Canadian vocalist with a staggering four-octave range. Seriously. The guy has done over 10,000 recording sessions in his career. He’s been with the band since 2018, and he manages to respect the original recordings without sounding like a cheap imitation.
Alongside him, you’ll often hear Tony Obrohta on guitar and vocals, and sometimes Loren Gold or Eric Baines chipping in. It’s still a communal effort. Robert Lamm is still there, too, sitting behind the keys and singing the classics he wrote nearly sixty years ago.
Why the "Frontman" Myth Persists
We love a narrative. It’s easier to market a band when there’s one face to put on the poster. But Chicago was modeled after the big bands of the jazz era, where the "star" was the arrangement itself.
The brass section—the "horn trio" of Pankow, Loughnane, and (formerly) Walter Parazaider—is just as much the "singer" as the person at the mic. Their lines are the hooks people whistle in the shower.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to truly understand the vocal legacy of this band, don't just stick to the 1980s Greatest Hits.
- Listen to "Dialogue (Part I & II)" from Chicago V. It’s a literal conversation between Terry Kath and Robert Lamm. You can hear the contrast between their voices perfectly.
- Check out Neil Donell’s live performances. Watch a recent clip of "25 or 6 to 4." It’ll show you how the band has managed to stay vocally relevant decades after their peak.
- Explore Robert Lamm's solo work. If you like the jazzy, "Beginnings" side of the band, his solo albums like Skinny Boy are essential listening.
Chicago is a rare beast in music history. They survived the loss of a founding member, the departure of a superstar, and more than half a century of changing trends. They didn't do it by having one singer; they did it by being a brotherhood.