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Sons of Champlin - Bill Champlin. S01EP25
On this episode of Roger the Wild Child Show, we are joined by Bill Champlin. He is a singer, musician, arranger, producer, and songwriter best known for forming the group's Sons of Champlin and was a member of the supergroup, Chicago, for almost 3 decades!
Bill’s musical career began in 1961 when he formed a band called the Opposite Six. A year later he began writing music. After forming the Sons of Champlin in 1967, he focused his songwriting talents on material for the Sons. “They were breathing fire. They were the most talented of all the San Francisco bands”, said Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. The Sons’ first album, “Loosen Up Naturally,” was released in 1969 and followed by six more albums before the Sons disbanded in 1977. Many of these have been re-released as CDs and are available for purchase.
After the breakup of the Sons, Bill moved to Los Angeles and worked as a session vocalist on numerous recordings from 1977 to 1985. The artists he worked with included Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Donna Summer, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Jimmy Smith, Amy Grant, Neil Diamond, and Kenny Rogers. In 1978 he released his first solo album, “Single.” In 1979 he won his first Grammy award for co-writing “After the Love is Gone,” which was later recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire. During the Chicago/EWF tours in 2004 and 2005, Champlin was asked to perform this song with them, as lead singer.
In 1982 he joined Chicago to record “Chicago 16.” His unique and expressive voice can be heard on “Hard Habit to Break” from Chicago 17.
Bill’s 1988 recording of the song “In the Heat of the Night” was picked up as the show opener by the TV show of the same name. The following year Chicago released what turned out to be it's biggest-selling single and their last No. 1 hit, “Look Away,” once again with Bill on lead vocal.
The Sons of Champlin reunited in 1997, with a loyal group of enthusiastic fans traveling great distances to see them perform. They recorded “Live At The Luther Burbank Center” in 1998, as well as “Secret” (CD and DVD) and “Hip Lil’ Dreams” in 2002.
On the heels of that US release and after 28 years with Chicago, Bill parted ways with the band to focus more on his solo career. “This music is callin’ me,” he said.
The two-time Grammy Award winner launched a successful West Coast tour in November 2009 with the Bill Champlin Band promoting “No Place Left To Fall.” That was followed by a Sons of Champlin tour in March 2010.
In January 2021, Champlin's solo album "Livin For Love" was released by Imagen Records and featured Champlin on keys and guitars as well as players Bruce Gaitsch, Carmen Grillo, Steve Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, George Hawkins Jr., Greg Mathieson, Gordon Campbell, Lenny Castro, Marc Russo, Alan Hertz, Tal Morris, Jason Scheff, Abraham Laboriel. Singers included Bill Champlin on lead and background vocals, Tamara Champlin, Gary Falcone, Jason Scheff, and Andreas Carlsson. Tracks were composed by Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Bruce Gaitsch, Michael Caruso, Greg Mathieson, Jason Scheff, and Gary Falcone.
*******
Roger the Wild Child Show is streamed live every Sunday night 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. The show is rebroadcasted on 20+ different podcast platforms. Roger is joined by co-hosts Jimmy Knight, Darin Scheff, and former Playboy Playmate, Deborah Driggs. Each week they talk with musicians, celebrities, and influencers in the entertainment world.
Check out the video/audio podcasts and the rest of our links
LinkTree https://linktr.ee/wildchildradio
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By Roger the Wild Child
3
22 ratings
On this episode of Roger the Wild Child Show, we are joined by Bill Champlin. He is a singer, musician, arranger, producer, and songwriter best known for forming the group's Sons of Champlin and was a member of the supergroup, Chicago, for almost 3 decades!
Bill’s musical career began in 1961 when he formed a band called the Opposite Six. A year later he began writing music. After forming the Sons of Champlin in 1967, he focused his songwriting talents on material for the Sons. “They were breathing fire. They were the most talented of all the San Francisco bands”, said Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. The Sons’ first album, “Loosen Up Naturally,” was released in 1969 and followed by six more albums before the Sons disbanded in 1977. Many of these have been re-released as CDs and are available for purchase.
After the breakup of the Sons, Bill moved to Los Angeles and worked as a session vocalist on numerous recordings from 1977 to 1985. The artists he worked with included Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Donna Summer, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Jimmy Smith, Amy Grant, Neil Diamond, and Kenny Rogers. In 1978 he released his first solo album, “Single.” In 1979 he won his first Grammy award for co-writing “After the Love is Gone,” which was later recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire. During the Chicago/EWF tours in 2004 and 2005, Champlin was asked to perform this song with them, as lead singer.
In 1982 he joined Chicago to record “Chicago 16.” His unique and expressive voice can be heard on “Hard Habit to Break” from Chicago 17.
Bill’s 1988 recording of the song “In the Heat of the Night” was picked up as the show opener by the TV show of the same name. The following year Chicago released what turned out to be it's biggest-selling single and their last No. 1 hit, “Look Away,” once again with Bill on lead vocal.
The Sons of Champlin reunited in 1997, with a loyal group of enthusiastic fans traveling great distances to see them perform. They recorded “Live At The Luther Burbank Center” in 1998, as well as “Secret” (CD and DVD) and “Hip Lil’ Dreams” in 2002.
On the heels of that US release and after 28 years with Chicago, Bill parted ways with the band to focus more on his solo career. “This music is callin’ me,” he said.
The two-time Grammy Award winner launched a successful West Coast tour in November 2009 with the Bill Champlin Band promoting “No Place Left To Fall.” That was followed by a Sons of Champlin tour in March 2010.
In January 2021, Champlin's solo album "Livin For Love" was released by Imagen Records and featured Champlin on keys and guitars as well as players Bruce Gaitsch, Carmen Grillo, Steve Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, George Hawkins Jr., Greg Mathieson, Gordon Campbell, Lenny Castro, Marc Russo, Alan Hertz, Tal Morris, Jason Scheff, Abraham Laboriel. Singers included Bill Champlin on lead and background vocals, Tamara Champlin, Gary Falcone, Jason Scheff, and Andreas Carlsson. Tracks were composed by Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Bruce Gaitsch, Michael Caruso, Greg Mathieson, Jason Scheff, and Gary Falcone.
*******
Roger the Wild Child Show is streamed live every Sunday night 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. The show is rebroadcasted on 20+ different podcast platforms. Roger is joined by co-hosts Jimmy Knight, Darin Scheff, and former Playboy Playmate, Deborah Driggs. Each week they talk with musicians, celebrities, and influencers in the entertainment world.
Check out the video/audio podcasts and the rest of our links
LinkTree https://linktr.ee/wildchildradio