So, you’re at a show or listening to the radio, and you start wondering who the lead singer of the band Chicago actually is. It’s a trick question. Honestly, it always has been. Most bands have one "guy." Queen had Freddie. Journey had Steve Perry. But Chicago? They were built as a collective. A democracy with brass.
If you’re looking for a single name, you won’t find it. What you’ll find instead is a fifty-year saga of soaring tenors, tragic endings, and a Canadian session legend who is currently hitting those impossible high notes in 2026.
The Original Three-Headed Monster
Back in 1967, when they were still called the Chicago Transit Authority, the band didn't have a frontman. They had three. This wasn't some ego-clash accident; it was the blueprint. Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, and Peter Cetera shared the mic, and their voices couldn't have been more different.
Robert Lamm was the sophisticated baritone. He wrote the "thinking man" hits like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Saturday in the Park." Lamm is still in the band today. He’s the anchor.
Then you had Terry Kath. If you ask any hardcore fan, they’ll tell you Kath was the soul of Chicago. Jimi Hendrix famously told the band’s horn section that Kath was better than him. He had this gritty, Ray Charles-inspired growl that gave the band its rock-and-roll teeth. Tragically, Kath died in 1978 from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. The band almost called it quits right then.
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Finally, there was Peter Cetera. Originally brought in just to play bass and sing the high parts, Cetera eventually became the face of the band’s 80s power-ballad era.
The Peter Cetera Era and the Great Split
By the time the 1980s rolled around, the lead singer of the band Chicago most people recognized was Cetera. With the help of producer David Foster, the band shifted from experimental jazz-rock to massive radio hits like "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."
But the friction was real. Cetera wanted to do solo work. The band wanted to tour. In 1985, the ultimatum was dropped, and Cetera walked. He went on to have a massive solo career with hits like "Glory of Love," but the bridge back to Chicago was effectively burned. He didn't even show up for their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2016 because of "petty jealousies" and disagreements over the performance.
Enter Jason Scheff and the Bill Champlin Years
How do you replace a voice like Cetera’s? You hire Jason Scheff.
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Scheff was the son of Jerry Scheff (Elvis Presley’s bass player), and he had the range to cover those high tenors. He ended up staying for over 30 years—longer than Cetera himself. During this stretch, the band also relied heavily on Bill Champlin, a soulful powerhouse who joined in the early 80s and sang lead on the 1988 smash "Look Away."
Basically, for three decades, if you saw Chicago live, you were hearing a mix of Lamm’s cool baritone, Scheff’s soaring tenor, and Champlin’s R&B grit. It worked. Until it didn't.
Champlin left in 2009. Scheff departed in 2016. For a moment, it felt like the vocal identity of the band was in a blender.
Who is the Lead Singer of the Band Chicago Right Now?
If you catch a Chicago show in 2026, the man front and center for the big hits is Neil Donell.
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Donell joined in 2018, and frankly, the guy is a vocal freak of nature. He’s a Canadian session veteran with a four-octave range. While some purists miss the original members, Donell is arguably the most technically proficient singer they’ve had since the prime 70s era. He handles the "Cetera songs" with an ease that's almost eerie.
Alongside him, you still have founding member Robert Lamm taking his turns at the mic, keeping that 1967 spirit alive.
The Complete Lead Singer Timeline
- Terry Kath (1967–1978): The rock soul and guitar hero.
- Peter Cetera (1967–1985): The ballad king and high tenor.
- Robert Lamm (1967–Present): The baritone songwriter and constant.
- Bill Champlin (1981–2009): The soulful R&B voice behind "Look Away."
- Jason Scheff (1985–2016): The long-tenured bassist/vocalist who filled Cetera's shoes.
- Jeff Coffey (2016–2018): A short but impressive stint after Scheff’s exit.
- Neil Donell (2018–Present): The current tenor powerhouse.
Why the Rotation Actually Works
Most bands die when the lead singer leaves. Chicago didn't because the "brand" was always the horn section and the songwriting, not just one guy's face. They’ve had over 30 members total throughout their history.
It’s less of a band and more of an institution. When you hear the brass kick in on "25 or 6 to 4," you don't care who's singing as much as you care about that wall of sound hitting your chest.
If you want to dive deeper into their current sound, your best bet is to check out their recent live recordings from the last two years. You'll hear Neil Donell and Robert Lamm keeping the legacy remarkably intact. For the best experience, look for the 2024-2025 tour footage where the band sounds tighter than they have in a decade.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Listen to "Beginnings" (1969): To hear Robert Lamm’s pure baritone style.
- Watch "The Terry Kath Experience": A documentary by his daughter that explains why he was the heart of the original group.
- Check 2026 Tour Dates: See Neil Donell live to understand why the band is still selling out arenas fifty years later.