Peter Cetera - Underrated as a vocalist?

I was just watching a bunch of Chicago videos from their golden era, and he had the perfect voice for their hits. I've seen him getting a lot of ridicule over the years but little praise.

 

Great voice. The band would not have been the same without him.

 

Nice voice but a bit of a cheese fest!!......Very soppy!

 

I think the "cheesefest" really comes into play after the mid-seventies when Chicago's music really took a turn for the worse. But overall, his voice perfectly suited the songs he sang lead on; at times he could sound aggressive, at times on the softer side and others still, somewhere in the middle. He also had a great range which served both lead and backup vocals quite well. Of the three main vocalists in Chicago, his voice was the most versatile.

 

Nope.

 

Wow, hardly any support here for the guy. I personally think this has something to do with his looks.

 

Nope.

 

Peter is underrated as a vocalist and he does have a versatile voice.

 

Cetera has a great voice. Much prefer his early work with Chicago over his '80s solo career.

 

Like a knight in shining armor from a long time ago
Just in time, I'll save the day
Take you to my castle far away

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you've been dreaming of
We'll live together, knowing forever
That we did it all for The Glory of Love . . .

 

I think that it has a lot more to do with all of the syrupy shlock he delivered in the 80s. He's a solid vocalist with the group but not really outstanding, IMO.

 

Underrated as a bassist.

 

Agreed. Great bass player too.

 

Fair enough. That's probably true. I suppose I am thinking more along the lines of "Glory Of Love". From Karate Kid I think?

 

Just the other day I was listening to the classic original COLUMBIA CD pressing of "Chicago's Greatest Hits" and I'm decided that my all-time favorite Chicago hit, has to be, "Feeling Stronger Every Day". Cetera and the entire band just nail that great song, right to the core of a perfect TOP 40 smash!

I have to agree with a few others that I much prefer Peter with Chicago, than his solo career. If any solo album of Peter's that was underrated, it was the "World Falling Down", which had a bunch of great and radio friendly songs, that never got any airplay. Outside of that album and a few one-off hits, like "Glory Of Love" and Bobby Caldwell's "Next Time I Fall", with Amy Grant, Pete's solo career is VERY hit and miss.

 

"Karate Kid II"

 

Yes!

 

yeah I wasn't talking about his solo career, really.

 

I get the idea that Peter has some integrity. He called the other guys bluff when they told him theyd get another bassist for Chicago by saying "Ok, go ahead". And it was their loss.

While starting his solo career the powers that be basically told him he would have to sing Chicago songs. He said no to that also.

He seems to live a quiet decent life and does what he enjoys when he feels its something he wants to sing. But since he isnt strung out or the rock star kinda guy people have an issue with him. Has nothing to do with his voice.

Peter Cetera has a very distinctive voice. Not sure how well known it is how his style got started but he said it was due to his mouth being wired shut and he had to learn to sing in that clenched style. It stuck. And became his trademark. He has a great high range or at least had.

One of the best or underrated? I dont think either. But Id sure love to sing like that for a day.

As far as his sap level. Sure. But that comes down to taste. I bet a lot of the guys who make fun of that big 80s album now were pumped up by it at the time. Chicago is back! was the whole celebration at that time. And, its still a great ballad/love song 80s album.

 

Would you consider I've Been Searchin' So Long to be syrupy shlock? I think he does a great job on that.

 

He should've been put in jail for the rest of his life for recording that song.

 

I like him better solo than with Chicago. Great vocals; not a great vocalist. He cerainly knows how to layer/add effects to his voice (well his producer at least)