The Beach Boys were at Caribou Ranch in Colorado when "Wishing You Were Here" was recorded, and three members of that band - Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson joined Cetera in singing the harmonies.
I'm so glad you reacted to this song. It's one of my all time favorites from Chicago, and it never gets suggested, because it's not on the radio. It has Terry Kath's velvety vocals, and I believe (at least in one version) it's the Beach Boys on backup vocals. If you're looking for more intensity, I'd recommend Questions 67 & 68.
Chicago is one of my top bands. I love their jazz album (Chicago V) and how they bring jazz into their rock, rhythms, and chords. Another ensemble of great musicians. Yes, Elton echoes here.
Originally on Chicago VII, this Terry Kath lead vocal track followed one Terry wrote and sang lead on, "Byblos", on which he also played acoustic and electric guitar. "Wishing You Were Here" has an unusual switch-up with Terry Kath on bass guitar and Peter Cetera on lead guitar, trading their usual instruments. Not a first for Terry, as he played bass guitar before hooking up to form Chicago Transit Authority in the late '60s.
The conga sounds you hear may be the tom-toms. (Phil Collins was the master of toms) Had not ever heard about the Beach Boys jumping in, but it makes perfect sense with those harmonies!
Saw them for the first time when I was in high school (1973 or 1974). Have seen them several times since then, most recently just last month! They're still rocking hard. Robert Lamm (keyboards), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), and James Pankow (trombone) are the original members still touring. They're opening their 2024 tour in Austin on Feb. 13.
I don't know how these guys can rock all these years later, but that is super impressive that so many do! I can only hope that I have at least half that energy at their age
I was lucky enough to see a Chicago concert around 75 or 76. Great show! If you haven’t already reacted to their “Hard Habit to Break”, I recommend it. It’s my favorite of theirs.
I am 3 weeks too late... I just finished suggesting the live version of ... Wishing You Were Here .. from the Rockin' New Years Eve broadcast. They toured with the Beach Boys and peter wrote to take advantage of their Fantastic backing vocals.
Chicago were a great band, especially with Kath, Lamm and Cetera, seen them in concert twice, react to Dialogue 1 & 2, you taught me something again, didn’t know the Beach Boys were on backing vocals
Per Peter Cetera, the orchestration was written in the wrong key for Cetera, so Kath did the intro and end on the vocals and Cetera just did middle tenor section.
The live version from New Years Rocking Eve is a great one, it's on youtube you should check it out. Terry does such an amazing job on the vocals. He was awesome Jimi Hendrix called him the best guitarist he ever heard. The NYE live version of this one he is playing the bass and Peter Cetera the bass player was playing a 6 string acoustic guitar.
The Beach Boys were at Caribou Ranch in Colorado when "Wishing You Were Here" was recorded, and three members of that band - Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson joined Cetera in singing the harmonies.
Great choice! I’ve never seen anyone else react to this classic track. 🔥
I'm so glad you reacted to this song. It's one of my all time favorites from Chicago, and it never gets suggested, because it's not on the radio. It has Terry Kath's velvety vocals, and I believe (at least in one version) it's the Beach Boys on backup vocals. If you're looking for more intensity, I'd recommend Questions 67 & 68.
They toured with the Beach Boys and Peter wrote it to take advantage of their Fantastic backing vocals.
Chicago and The Beach Boys…what a combination!
Chicago is one of my top bands. I love their jazz album (Chicago V) and how they bring jazz into their rock, rhythms, and chords. Another ensemble of great musicians. Yes, Elton echoes here.
I will 2nd ... Questions 67 & 68"... Studio version. Terry's guitar is outstanding in that version.
Originally on Chicago VII, this Terry Kath lead vocal track followed one Terry wrote and sang lead on, "Byblos", on which he also played acoustic and electric guitar.
"Wishing You Were Here" has an unusual switch-up with Terry Kath on bass guitar and Peter Cetera on lead guitar, trading their usual instruments. Not a first for Terry, as he played bass guitar before hooking up to form Chicago Transit Authority in the late '60s.
The conga sounds you hear may be the tom-toms. (Phil Collins was the master of toms) Had not ever heard about the Beach Boys jumping in, but it makes perfect sense with those harmonies!
You don't get better than this. I always pictures sitting on the beach watching the waves as they roll in!!!! Relaxing feeling, so soothing!!!!!
Wishing You Were Here is off of the Chicago VII album [1974] and has some of the Beach Boys singing the backup harmony vocals.
Saw them for the first time when I was in high school (1973 or 1974). Have seen them several times since then, most recently just last month! They're still rocking hard. Robert Lamm (keyboards), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), and James Pankow (trombone) are the original members still touring. They're opening their 2024 tour in Austin on Feb. 13.
I don't know how these guys can rock all these years later, but that is super impressive that so many do! I can only hope that I have at least half that energy at their age
Terry had such a great voice. RIP.
All of Chicago’s songs are legendary!
Saw Chicago Live a month ago... such a great concert experience.
Glad you enjoyed them..
I saw them live in '98, those horns were awesome to hear in person.
I was lucky enough to see a Chicago concert around 75 or 76. Great show! If you haven’t already reacted to their “Hard Habit to Break”, I recommend it. It’s my favorite of theirs.
I am 3 weeks too late... I just finished suggesting the live version of ... Wishing You Were Here .. from the Rockin' New Years Eve broadcast. They toured with the Beach Boys and peter wrote to take advantage of their Fantastic backing vocals.
Haunting tribute to Terry Kath in vocals... 🎸
One of My favs Lucky to see them twice. Love those Beach Boys on back up. Unmistakable sound.
Saw them back in the day, they opened for heart.
Beach boys harmony!!! Gorgeous!!!
This could be Chicago's most underrated song...
AND IT'S ALWAYS A FULLER SOUND GIB BECAUSE THESE GUYS ARE A ( 7 ) MAN BAND! 😊AND THEY HAD ALOTAAAAA GREAT SONGS!💯😊
Chicago were a great band, especially with Kath, Lamm and Cetera, seen them in concert twice, react to Dialogue 1 & 2, you taught me something again, didn’t know the Beach Boys were on backing vocals
The chillinest love song ever
Love this song. And you really must find the video of the live version (small venue). Fantastic.
Per Peter Cetera, the orchestration was written in the wrong key for Cetera, so Kath did the intro and end on the vocals and Cetera just did middle tenor section.
Such a pretty song saw these guys in 1977 best $12.50 spent that summer
The live version from New Years Rocking Eve is a great one, it's on youtube you should check it out. Terry does such an amazing job on the vocals. He was awesome Jimi Hendrix called him the best guitarist he ever heard. The NYE live version of this one he is playing the bass and Peter Cetera the bass player was playing a 6 string acoustic guitar.
I’ve read that this is a song about a long haul truck driver who misses his wife but he does his job.
Old Days is a great song by Chicago
never knew it was the beach boys !
Since you like horns and very good drumming I request the song Call on me original version I would appreciate.. thank you
Any early Chicago is good pre Terry kaths death
You should react to Just You N Me-Color My World - Dialogue 1 and 2- Saturday In The Park.
RIP. Terry.....also without Peter Cetera it's not the same. Sorry.
Beach Boys