Champlin's Crossroads: The Spiritual Side of Veteran Singer for the Group Chicago

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By Andy Argyrakis, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com

Depending on one’s taste in music, the name Bill Champlin may mean different things, though there’s hardly a style in which he hasn’t achieved prominence. While the rock n’ roll ranks know him as a 28-year member of the 120-million-album-selling act Chicago (where he sang monster hits “Look Away,” “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love,” “Hard Habit to Break” and “You’re Not Alone” to name a few), the singer, songwriter, keyboard player, guitarist, producer and arranger also co-wrote Earth, Wind & Fire’s smash soul single “After the Love Is Gone” and George Benson’s jazz staple “Turn Your Love Around.”

In Christian contexts, he’s collaborated with Amy Grant on many occasions (including her iconic Lead Me On album), while even cracking the country scene working with Jay DeMarcus (formerly of Christian act East to West and currently with secular superstars Rascal Flatts) on Chicago’s recent 30 album. All the while the multiple GRAMMY Award-winner has maintained a steady solo career, simultaneously fronting the rock jam band Sons of Champlin.

Solo variety with some famous friends
“When I first talked with my record label, DreamMakers Music, they said ‘make us an iTunes playlist of everything you’ve got – old, new, whatever,’” the Nashville-based Champlin says of his brand-new solo album No Place Left to Fall. “At first, I wanted to do a swampy rock sort of thing, leaning towards blues on some songs, but then they said ‘you’ve also got great pop, jazz and a cappella, so why not do a record with everything?’ which is literally unheard of with record labels who usually say ‘I like this song. Now write me 12 of those whether they be slow or fast.’”

The resulting record is not only one of Champlin’s most diverse to date, but it’s also loaded with appearances by rock superstars of all eras, adding some collaborative spark to the project. A quick scan of the guest list includes everyone from legendary Chicago frontman-turned-solo-star Peter Cetera, to Toto’s Steve Lukather (who also played guitar on the immortal Michael Jackson tracks “Beat It” and “Human Nature”), plus powerhouse Christian popper, Michael English.

“When he gets in the wheelhouse, he really peels the paint off the walls with his power,” Champlin compliments of the “In Christ Alone” singer. “I met him awhile back after singing on a record he did with Brown Bannister [Grant, Petra, Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans] and we ran into each other at Home Depot not that long ago, so he came over and sang on my record.”

Spiritual favorites and a funny flashback
Though Champlin remains a staple of the mainstream scene, he’s a lifelong gospel fan who’s been inspired by many of the genre’s old time greats. He’s quick to throw out names like Andraé Crouch, Aretha Franklin, Edwin Hawkins and Walter Hawkins as personal favorites, but later found the likes of Grant and Take 6 as major innovators who made the most impact on contemporary trends and amassed tremendous crossover appeal in the process.

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Jenny Bennett says on Tuesday Oct 27, 10:19am

Bill Champlin, veteran singer for the group Chicago, and frontman of the rock jam band Sons of Champlin, has released a brand-new solo album No Place Left to Fall, which includesa duet with powerhouse Christian vocalist, Michael English, and the retro blues rocker “The Truth,” two of the more thought-provoking songs on the album.

Similar to ChristianMusicToday.com's Glimpses of God, share which mainstream albums have expanded your mind by asking thought-provoking spiritual questions.

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