Robert Lamm interview with Lee Leonard

Following is a summary of a television interview that Lee Leonard of News 12 in New Jersey did with Robert Lamm on Aug. 2, 1999.

Want to hear the interview in Real Audio? Go here.

This is not intended to be a transcript - Lamm is paraphrased and in some cases, direct quotes are attempted.

Why did the Chicago sound change?

Lamm: Two things - the huge hit "If You Leave Me Now" was the band's first worldwide no. 1. It had strings and no brass.

Also, Chicago lost their guitar player (Terry Kath).

"My theory is that most rock bands start on the cutting edge. When they get mainstream success, management wants more of the same."

Lamm describes the band: "There are eight principals, all partners. A lot of decisions are bottom-line driven."

Stone of Sisyphus album (not mentioned by name)

Lamm: "Our last album for Warner Brothers was outright rejected. They said 'We don't like it at all' and asked us to change it."

Chicago refused to change the album, and "We agreed to disagree," Lamm said.

There was then some discussion about Chicago forming its own label. Leonard asked Lamm if SOS had been released on Chicago Records, and Lamm said "yeah."

(The complete CD has not been released by Chicago Records, although some of the songs have appeared on import compilations.)

Chicago's beginnings

Lamm: Chicago started out as a bar band. As the band became more successful, they toured more and mroe. It wasn't until 1972 that they realized "We're big."

"The 30 years have gone by quickly. I have more appreciation of our success now than in the early days."

Lamm's background: "I'm a Brooklyn kid." Lamm said he moved to Chicago after his mother re-married and her new husband was from Chicago.

Lamm said his parents had a great jazz record collection.

His "golden age of adolescence" was during the "doo-wop" era. Then he moved on to Motown, then the Beatles.

On Phoebe Snow: "She's always been one of my favorites."

On "Sleepin' in the Middle of the Bed Again:" The title is very personal. 10 years ago, Lamm decided to make some major changes in his life.

He moved back to New York and the song is about being back on his own again in New York and re-examing who he is.

On the song "Will People Ever Change?:" The song was written on the heels of a recent presidential election.

Lamm discussed the strains of being in Chicago: "It took 20-plus years to get a handle on doing it."

Family: "I've got three wonderful kids and the best wife I've ever had."

He doesn't go more than two weeks without seeing his wife. He has taken his children on the road, one at a time, to see what he does.

About the early Chicago albums: When he listens to the tracks that the band doesn't perform, he's amazed at them. They are more "edgy" and more challenging.

"I always wished I could sound like Marvin Gaye."

Asked about bands that tried to sound like Chicago: Yes, he's heard bands with a similar sound and a three-piece horn section, but no one has been able to sound like Chicago.

The songwriting and arranging make the band's sound unique.

He mentioned that the band has to fill the concert with songs from the Chicago 17 era.

"When we have to make a wallop (in concert) we go back to the first two albums."

What he listens to: "I've been listening to hip hop and rap. As a city guy, I understand how that music came to be."

Lamm is trying to write in those styles, with stronger melodies while retaining the urban sound.

He likes to go to jazz clubs, but does not go to rock shows. He also likes Brazilian music and is planning to use it on his next solo album. "It's a very sophisticated sound."

(End of interview)