"He's known the world over as the soulful singer/keyboardist of the iconic jazz-pop band Chicago. His featured spots on the hits "Look Away" and "Hard Habit to Break" are among his mainstream highlights. But Bill Champlin's defining work with the Sons of Champlin and as a songwriter put him on the musical map long before he arrived in Chicago. ...
When I joined [Chicago], Kenny Loggins called me and said 'Man, what are you doing?' He said, 'Those guys are over.'
2
Right after Terry [Kath] died, I got a call for that gig. And I went, 'I'm not that guitar player. I play guitar, but man, one solo and I'm done. I don't have that kind of depth.' What they really needed was somebody with a voice. I misunderstood what the call was. Otherwise, I'd have thought about it then.
#
Fact
1
In addition to touring with Earth Wind & Fire, Champlin and Chicago have recently finished recording "Chicago XXX," tentatively set for release in the spring of 2006. Champlin fans may take heart in Lamm's description of the album as a "Jason/Bill" project. [September 2005]
2
On tour with Chicago in support of "Chicago XXX"; he is also on a break from The Sons of Champlin, though it is reported that he hopes to get back into the studio with them soon. [June 2006]
3
Friends with the Italian producer-arranger-composer-singer-actor Manuel De Peppe.
4
He and Chicago were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6438 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
5
Oldest son Brad was born in the mid-1960s when Champlin was in his late teens; as the only married man when the Sons of Champlin started, Bill was reportedly the most serious about making his career work.
6
In 1981, he became a member of Chicago, with whom he has recorded and toured ever since, while releasing the occasional solo album.
7
Leader of the band "Sons of Champlin".
8
He is the soulful voice who sings the theme to the Carol O'Conner TV Cop show "In the Heat of the Night" (1988)
9
He played as an auto transportation attendant in the music video "Stay The Night" by Chicago.
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sins of the Midnight Sons
composer: additional music pre-production
Buddy: Tech Detective
2015
TV Movie singer: theme music
The John Kerwin Show
2014
TV Series musician - 1 episode
In the Heat of the Night
1988-1995
TV Series performer - 100 episodes
Apology
1986
TV Movie composer: theme music
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
American Ultra
2015
performer: "One More Day"
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
2013
writer: "After The Love Has Gone" - as William Champlin
Justified
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Gag
2006
Video performer: "Bleed"
Solkongen
2005
lyrics: "Double Sugar Kiss"
Cold Case
2004
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Shining Stars: The Official Story of Earth, Wind, & Fire
2001
Video writer: "After The Love Is Gone"
Safe
1995
writer: "Turn Your Love Around"
Nightmare Cafe
1992
TV Series performer: "Born Under a Bad Sign"
Days of Thunder
1990
producer: "Hearts in Trouble" / writer: "Hearts in Trouble"
Sing
1989
performer: "Somethin' to Believe In"
Caddyshack II
1988
writer: "Heart of Glass"
In the Heat of the Night
1988
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Miami Vice
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 1986 writer - 1 episode, 1986
Apology
1986
TV Movie performer: "Alone In The Night title song"
WKRP in Cincinnati
1979
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Top of the Pops
1979
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Celebrity Plastic Surgeons of Beverly Hills
2016
TV Series
Himself
The Voice
2013
TV Series
Himself
The Early Show
2009
TV Series
Himself
The Chris Isaak Hour
2009
TV Series
Himself - Keyboards, Vocals
Live by Request: Chicago
2002
TV Special
Performer
Schmidteinander
1994
TV Series
Himself
Chicago in Concert at the Greek Theatre
1993
TV Special
Himself - Keyboards and Vocals
The Alan Thicke Show
1981
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago
2016
Documentary
Himself
Known for movies
Days of Thunder (1990) as Soundtrack
Apology (1986) as Music Department
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) as Soundtrack
$10 Million
