Peter Cetera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Cetera
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Cetera in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Peter Paul Cetera Jr. |
| Born | September 13, 1944 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1962–2019 |
| Labels | Warner Bros, River North |
Peter Paul Cetera (born September 13, 1944) is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the main singer and bass player for the famous rock band Chicago. He was with the band from 1967 until 1985. During his career, he made 17 studio albums with Chicago and 8 albums on his own.
As a solo artist, Peter Cetera had six songs that made it into the Top 40. Two of these songs reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1986. These hits were "Glory of Love" and "The Next Time I Fall". "Glory of Love" was the theme song for the movie The Karate Kid Part II (1986). Peter Cetera helped write this song. It was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for best original song.
In 1987, he won an ASCAP award for "Glory of Love". He was also nominated for a Grammy Award for his singing on "Glory of Love". That same year, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant were nominated for a Grammy Award for their duet "The Next Time I Fall". He has worked with many other artists throughout his career. His songs have also been used in movies and TV shows.
With the song "If You Leave Me Now", which Peter Cetera wrote and sang, Chicago won its first Grammy Award. This song was also the band's first number one hit. In 2014, Chicago's first album, Chicago Transit Authority, was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Peter Cetera was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Chicago in 2016. In 2017, he was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his songwriting with Chicago. In 2020, Peter Cetera and other members of Chicago received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Growing Up in Chicago
Peter Cetera was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was the second of six children. His family has Polish and Hungarian roots. His father worked as a machinist. Peter has two brothers, Tim and Kenny Cetera, who also played music and helped on some of his recordings.
School Days
Peter Cetera went to Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary for one year of high school. He later moved to Mendel Catholic Prep High School and graduated in 1962. He is listed as one of the notable alumni from that school.
First Musical Steps
Peter's mother loved to sing and taught her children to sing in harmony. Peter realized he had a talent for singing around age 11 or 12. When he was 11, his parents bought him an accordion instead of the guitar he wanted. He even won a local talent show for his accordion playing when he was 12.
In high school, he started thinking seriously about becoming a singer. At 15, he bought an acoustic guitar. He later learned to play the electric bass. With some high school friends, he formed a band and started playing at local dances. He played in several bands in the Chicago area, including a popular local rock band called The Exceptions. This band toured the Midwest in the mid-1960s. Peter said that by the time he was 18, he was earning more money than his dad.
Music Career Highlights
The Exceptions and Early Recordings
Before joining Chicago, Peter Cetera played in The Exceptions. He recorded several songs with them, including an EP called Rock 'N' Roll Mass. One of these songs, "Come On Home", was his first songwriting credit. He also played electric bass on folk singer Dick Campbell's album in 1966.
Joining Chicago
In December 1967, Peter Cetera saw a band called the Big Thing. He was very impressed by how they mixed a horn section with rock and roll. Within two weeks, he left The Exceptions to join them. The Big Thing soon changed its name to Chicago Transit Authority, and then simply to Chicago.
Their first album, Chicago Transit Authority, came out in 1969. Peter Cetera sang lead on three songs: "Questions 67 & 68", "I'm a Man", and "Someday". His high tenor voice was a great match for the lower voices of the other singers in the band.
The next album, Chicago, made the band famous worldwide. The song "25 or 6 to 4" was their first big hit with Peter Cetera singing lead. This album also featured Peter's first song written for the group, "Where Do We Go From Here?"
As the 1970s continued, Peter Cetera wrote more songs for Chicago. These included "Wishing You Were Here" and "Happy Man" on the 1974 album Chicago VII. "Wishing You Were Here" featured backup vocals from members of the Beach Boys.
Peter Cetera's biggest success with Chicago was the ballad "If You Leave Me Now" from the 1976 album Chicago X. It was the band's first number one song in the United States and around the world. It also won a Grammy Award for Chicago. Another hit song he sang and wrote was "Baby, What a Big Surprise" from Chicago XI in 1977. This song reached number four on the charts.
During this time, Peter also worked with other artists. He sang background vocals on Billy Joel's song "My Life" in 1978. He also collaborated with Karen Carpenter on her solo album.
By the end of the 1970s, Chicago's popularity went down. In 1981, Peter Cetera released his first solo album, Peter Cetera. It did not sell well.
In 1982, David Foster became the producer for Chicago's album Chicago 16. This album brought Chicago back to success. The hit song "Hard to Say I'm Sorry", co-written by Cetera and Foster, went to number one. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award. Another song he sang, "Love Me Tomorrow", also became a hit.
In 1984, Chicago 17 became the band's most successful album ever, selling over six million copies. All four hit songs from this album were sung by Peter Cetera. These included "Stay the Night", "Hard Habit to Break", "You're the Inspiration", and "Along Comes a Woman". With the rise of music videos and MTV, Peter Cetera became the public face of Chicago.
Leaving Chicago
Peter Cetera wanted to record another solo album. He also did not want to tour as much as the band planned. Because they could not agree, Peter left Chicago in July 1985. Jason Scheff took his place as the band's bass player and lead singer.
Solo Career Success
After leaving Chicago, Peter Cetera quickly found success on his own. His first solo song, "Glory of Love", was a number one hit in 1986. It was used in The Karate Kid Part II. This song helped him win the American Video Award for "best new artist".
"Glory of Love" was on his second solo album, Solitude/Solitaire, released in 1986. This album sold over a million copies. It also had another number one hit, "The Next Time I Fall", a duet with Amy Grant.
In 1988, he released his third solo album, One More Story. This album included the hit song "One Good Woman". Many famous musicians played on this album, including Bonnie Raitt and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. The song "Save Me" from this album was the original theme music for the TV show Baywatch.
In 1989, Peter Cetera sang a duet with Cher called "After All". This song was a hit, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1990, his song "No Explanation" was featured in the movie Pretty Woman. In 1991, he helped write and sang on "Voices That Care", a song to support American troops and the Red Cross.
His 1992 album, World Falling Down, featured the number one Adult Contemporary hit "Restless Heart". It also had a duet with Chaka Khan, "Feels Like Heaven".
In 1995, he released One Clear Voice. This album included the duet "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight" with actress Crystal Bernard. After this album, Peter Cetera went on his first solo tour.
In 1997, he released You're the Inspiration: A Collection. This album had all his duets and new versions of three songs he wrote for Chicago: "If You Leave Me Now", "You're the Inspiration", and "Baby, What a Big Surprise". He re-recorded these because he could not use the original versions.
In the 1990s, Peter Cetera also worked with the R&B group Az Yet. He sang backup vocals on their version of "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" in 1996. In 1997, Az Yet sang with him on his version of "You're the Inspiration".
Later Career and Retirement
In 2001, Peter Cetera released Another Perfect World. In 2002, he performed at the Concert for World Children's Day with David Foster and an orchestra. This led to his appearance on the PBS show Soundstage in 2003.
From 2003 to 2007, Peter Cetera performed concerts each year with an orchestra. He played new versions of his songs from his solo career and his time with Chicago.
In 2004, he released a Christmas album called You Just Gotta Love Christmas. His older daughter, Claire, sang background vocals on the album. His younger daughter, Senna, helped with the artwork. He also appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade that year.
In 2010, Peter Cetera appeared on the TV show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! In 2017, he performed at Night of the Proms in Germany and Luxembourg. He also toured Europe in 2018.
In November 2019, Peter Cetera announced that he was "done" performing. He said he wanted to stop before he lost his voice and that he was tired of traveling. His last live performance was in November 2018.
Possible Chicago Reunion
Peter Cetera has often been asked about getting back together with Chicago. He has compared leaving the band to a divorce. While he has said "never say never," he has turned down offers to perform with them.
In 2015, it was announced that the original members of Chicago, including Peter Cetera, would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Peter decided not to perform at the ceremony in 2016. He also did not attend the event. Since then, it seems unlikely that a reunion will happen.
Musical Style and Influence
Singing Voice
Peter Cetera's tenor voice is known for being "distinctive" and "unmistakable". In 2018, he was ranked among the top ten "high note hitters" on the AXS TV show Top 10 Revealed.
His unique singing style developed after he had to sing with his jaw wired shut for a time. This happened after he was in a fight at a baseball game in 1969.
When asked how he takes care of his voice, Peter Cetera said, "I don't smoke and I don't drink. I try to exercise as much as I can. I do warm-up vocal exercises regularly."
Peter Cetera loved singing with members of the Beach Boys on the song "Wishing You Were Here". He said, "For a night, I was a Beach Boy." He also had a chance to sing with former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr at a concert with Chicago and the Beach Boys.
Recognition as a Singer
Peter Cetera's former bandmates in Chicago have praised his voice. Danny Seraphine, Chicago's original drummer, said Peter was "the best singer in the city" when the band was forming. Walter Parazaider, a woodwinds player, called him "one of the finest singers in the world" in 1992.
Peter Cetera has received Grammy nominations for his singing. Five songs he sang were nominated in pop vocal categories. "If You Leave Me Now" won its category.
Even though Peter Cetera hasn't had new songs on the charts since the 1990s, his songs are still used in movies, TV shows, and commercials. For example, "If You Leave Me Now" has appeared in movies like Shaun of the Dead and Happy Feet. "Glory of Love" was used in a 2019 episode of Good Girls. His song "You're the Inspiration" was in the movies Deadpool and a Super Bowl commercial.
Peter Cetera has also sung the national anthem at major sporting events, including a World Series game. He has also been a guest conductor for "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs.
Bass Playing Style
Peter Cetera taught himself to play bass guitar. He says he is not the most "knowledgeable" bass player and does not "really" read music. He was influenced by bass players like James Jamerson and Paul McCartney.
His bass playing was important to Chicago's sound. He was known for his melodic playing and strong rhythm. His first bass guitar was a Danelectro Shorthorn. He later switched to a 1963 Fender Precision Bass, which became his favorite.
Recognition as a Bass Player
Peter Cetera received high praise for his bass playing while with Chicago. Reviewers called his bass work "superb" and "astounding". He was featured on the cover of Bass Player magazine in 2007.
Many other bass players, like Jimmy Haslip and Will Lee, have said Peter Cetera influenced their playing.
Songwriting Achievements
Peter Cetera is also recognized for his songwriting. He is a member of ASCAP and has won awards for songs like "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "Glory of Love".
His song "If You Leave Me Now" has been covered by almost a hundred different artists. In 2017, Peter Cetera, along with Robert Lamm and James Pankow, was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their work with Chicago.
Peter Cetera has said he usually only writes songs when he knows he will be making a new album. He wrote his first song for Chicago, "Where Do We Go from Here?", after breaking his jaw in 1969.
Producing Music
Peter Cetera helped produce seven of his eight solo albums. He also produced the album I Stand Alone for Swedish singer Agnetha Fältskog (from ABBA) in 1987. This album reached number one in Sweden and included a duet with Peter.
He also produced country singer Ronna Reeves' album Day 14 in 1998.
Acting Roles
Peter Cetera has appeared in two movies. He played Bob Zemko in Electra Glide in Blue (1973). He also played Larry Douglas in the TV movie Memories of Midnight (1991).
Personal Life
Peter Cetera has two daughters. His first daughter was born in 1983. His second daughter was born in 1997.
He has lived in Idaho since the mid-1980s and enjoys sports.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Peter Cetera (1981)
- Solitude/Solitaire (1986)
- One More Story (1988)
- World Falling Down (1992)
- One Clear Voice (1995)
- You're the Inspiration: A Collection (1997)
- Another Perfect World (2001)
- You Just Gotta Love Christmas (2004)
Key Singles
- "Glory of Love" (1986) - No. 1 hit
- "The Next Time I Fall" (with Amy Grant) (1986) - No. 1 hit
- "One Good Woman" (1988)
- "After All" (with Cher) (1989)
- "Restless Heart" (1992)
- "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (with Az Yet) (1997)
- "You're the Inspiration" (featuring Az Yet) (1997)
Awards and Honors
As a Solo Artist
- 1984: ASCAP Pop Music Awards, Most Performed Songs, for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "Love Me Tomorrow" – Won
- 1986: ASCAP Pop Music Awards, Most-Performed Songs, "You're the Inspiration" – Won
- 1987: ASCAP Award, Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures, "Glory of Love" – Won
- 1987: American Video Award, Best New Artist – Won
- 1994: ASCAP Pop Music Awards, Most Performed Songs, "Restless Heart" – Won
As a Member of Chicago
- 1976: Grammy Award, Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, "If You Leave Me Now" – Won
- 2014: Grammy Hall of Fame, Chicago Transit Authority – Inducted
- 2016: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Inducted
- 2017: Songwriters Hall of Fame – Elected
- 2020: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
See also
In Spanish: Peter Cetera para niños
