From Chicago to Lodi
Bill Champlin and his band are bringing their groove to town
By Lauren Nelson
News-Sentinel Feature Writer
You might know him as a long-time member of the band Chicago. Or maybe you recognize him from his work on more than 350 albums. But Bill Champlin is coming to Lodi with his own band, Sons of Champlin. Since 1965, Champlin has been singing, playing keyboard and writing for Sons in between Chicago tours.
Sons of Champlin will perform at Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins St., on Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. For tickets, call 333-5550.
Q: What kind of following does Sons of Champlin have?
A: We're a band that's pretty much for everyone. Some people hear us and say, "Hey, that's a brand new band." Others have been following us since 1965, when started and were a big part of San Francisco.
Q: What type of music does Sons of Champlin play?
A: R&B original, R&B without being a James Brown copy. It's all original work.
Q: Is it difficult for you to separate Chicago from Sons of Champlin?
A: Sons of Champlin uses a little different approach. It's a little bit old school.
Q: What's the meaning behind the name, Sons of Champlin?
A: I don't even remember anymore. I was probably already married and had a kid when we started. They used to call me Father Champlin. That's the thing with nicknames, eventually you'll have to live with it whether you like it or not.
Q: You've performed on more than 350 albums and worked with numerous big-time artists. Who are your inspirations now?
A: Stevie Wonder is still kicking butt. He's as awesome as it gets. I was really angry when the Grammy gave John Legend the award (instead of Wonder). John Legend can't shine his shoes. I was a fan of Lou Rawls. I knew him when he was alive. When I was a kid, he was one of my favorites.
I've worked with Earth, Wind and Fire, George Benson.
Q: What's a song you have done that people might not know?
A: I sang the theme of "In the Heat of the Night." Donna Summer told me, "You're the best known unknown singer in the world."
Q: What do you do when you're not being a musician?
A: I'm usually on the road with Chicago. If I'm not, I'm either making records or doing Sons of Champlin gigs. I work in the studio in my house.
Q: Where is home?
A: With my son and wife. We (recently) moved to Nashville. We were in Los Angeles for 20 years.
Q: What will you do at your Lodi performance?
A: We'll play a nice, long set, probably two-and-a-half hours.
Q: Where's your favorite place in Northern California?
A: Marin County. I lived in Marin from seventh grade to 1977.
Q: In Lodi, there aren't many outlets for aspiring musicians, what should they do?
A: Expect to drive more.
Some people say that if you're not in New York, L.A. or Nashville, you're not anywhere. That's (b.s.).
There are a lot of different ways to play.
Q: Do you have any advice for them?
A: Don't ever think you know anything. Whatever you think you know is probably wrong.
Q: What do you expect from your Lodi audience?
A: To pack the joint. Find someone who's seen The Sons and ask them if they had fun and they will all say yes.
I'd like to make Lodi one of our regular stops.
Contact reporter Lauren Nelson at laurenn@lodinews.com.