Peter Paul Cetera (born: September 13, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) was the second child of six children to a Polish-American father and Hungarian-American mother on the southside of Chicago.
The most famous member of the group Chicago, first learned to play the accordion at the age of 5, bought his first guitar from Sears Department Store and later took up bass guitar. After finishing high school, played in a local rock band named The Exceptions and toured the midwestern United States in the mid-1960's.
In December 1967 watching a show, Peter was impressed watching the horn section of a band called The Big Thing. Within two weeks, Cetera left The Exceptions and eventually joined up with The Big Thing. The Big Thing changed their name to Chicago Transit Authority, which metamorphisized to become the group Chicago.
Master songwriter and bass guitarist Peter Cetera wrote classic hits such as: "25 or 6 to 4", Wishing You Were Here", "Happy Man", "If You Leave Me Now", "Baby What A Big Surprise", "Hard To Say I'm Sorry", "Love Me Tomorrow", "What You're Missing", "Stay The Night", "Hard Habbit To Break", "You're The Inspiration", "Along Comes A Woman".
In his solo career, hits included:
"Glory of Love", song theme for The Karate Kid, Part 2. Duet with Amy Grant: "The Next Time I Fall". "One Good Woman" and "Save Me"(original opening theme for the television show Baywatch). Duet this time with Cher singing: "After All", soundtrack from the movie Chances Are. "Restless Heart", "Even A Fool Can See" and a duet with Chaka Khan singing: "Feels Like Heaven" Duet with actress Crystal Bernard: "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight".
Today, Peter Cetera still tours and performs on stage occassionally. Make sure you make it a point to catch his concert if it comes to your city. You can also see him on YouTube.
The video below is one of my personal favorites, Peter singing: Restless Heart
