Peter Cetera steel guitar?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 12 Dec 2005 9:54 am

I remember having a Chicago album a very long time ago that had some steel on a song that sounded like the Beatles "Good day Sushine"and I think that they listed Peter Cetera as the Pedal steel guitar player?Anyone know??

Brian Herder · Post by **Brian Herder** » 12 Dec 2005 11:43 am

I think you're confusing two different songs. "Wake Up Sunshine" from Chicago ll, and "Flight 602" from the Lp called Chicago. Flight 602 has pedal steel in it, though I don't see it credited anywhere. They were a great band until Terry Kath died and Peter Cetera turned into a frightening lounge act.

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 12 Dec 2005 11:49 am

My guess is that it's most likely Jeff Baxter playing steel.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 Dec 2005 12:00 pm

I think Craig Hull was the steelplayer on the "Travel Suite" Chicago stuff.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 12 Dec 2005 7:28 pm

"Wake up Sushine'sounds right to me,Not Peter Cetera? Hmm

Rodney Garrison · Post by **Rodney Garrison** » 13 Dec 2005 2:29 am

Brian,
WE saw Chicago last Thursday evening and It turned out to be a perfect concert. No opening act, just 2hours plus of hit after hit and a peek at the spring release of their ALBUM # 30. Wichita Falls , Texas never had it so good. Except when John Hughey and Conway would come to the M-B Coral.
RG

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Dec 2005 2:49 am

there was a tune titled " In Terms of Two"

1973...

Chicago VI, J.G. O'Rafferty on Steel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_VI

This tune had a very strong infulence on my early Steel journey..

ain't the internet great ![This message was edited by Tony Prior on 13 December 2005 at 02:50 AM.]

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 13 Dec 2005 3:39 am

Any info on J.G. O'Rafferty ? For some reason I thought "J.G. O'Rafferty" was an alias of Red Rhodes...

------------------
Olli Haavisto,
Finland

[This message was edited by Olli Haavisto on 13 December 2005 at 03:48 AM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Dec 2005 4:38 am

Oh, you mean "Jerry Garcia" (Rafferty). Rafferty was his mother's maiden name.

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 13 Dec 2005 4:50 am

You are a very bad man, Jimbeaux. Very, very bad.

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 20 Dec 2005 4:22 am

I believe it was Peter Cetera on Flight 602. He definitely played steel. I do not remember them using any outside people on those first few albums.

They certainly lost their rock edge when Terry Kath died- artistic balance went out the window and Bobby Lamm's ballad style began to dominate... no more "Free" and "25 or 6 to 4"...

What a great band they were... and, even today, it's still a great show... just different.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 20 Dec 2005 6:18 am

there is no mention aywhere as to who played Steel on the Flight cut. Cetera is only credited with Bass and vocals.

but thats not all bad..
theres really only about 4 phrases played on the cut..pretty much all the same phrases.

I'm thinking.. Whoever it was is not a forum member..

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 20 Dec 2005 3:02 pm

As Tony said, no psg credit listed for Pete Cetera.

J.G. O'Rafferty is credited with pedal steel on "Jenny" (Chicago VI).

I made an interesting discovery while researching this online... Cetera and Paul Cotton from Poco were in a band together ("The Exceptions") in the late 60's. Paul was playing with Rusty Young about the time this track was cut. Could it have been Rusty?

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 21 Dec 2005 2:17 am

The shame is, no one really remembers what an incredible bass player Peter Cetera was. On those first few albums he just rips it up. But now......... well.........

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 21 Dec 2005 11:48 am

I agree, Chris. Great.

I have an old Guitar Player mag from around '70 around here somewhere, and they do an article on bass players- comparisons of practice habits, string gauges, gear, etc. I remember three of the four being McCartney, Carol Kaye and Cetera. Don't remember who the fourth person was. He was in some pretty good company.

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 21 Dec 2005 11:51 am

Doesn't Pete live in Nashville now? Why don't one of you Nashville guys ask him the next time you run into him at Wal-Mart?[This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 21 December 2005 at 11:51 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 21 Dec 2005 11:52 am

I have never forgotten how good Cetera is..was..
he's a real talent..the real deal..
t

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 21 Dec 2005 11:54 am

I have never forgotten how good Cetera is..was..
he's a real talent..the real deal..
t

ps..whoever was playing Steel on the FLIGHT song..was not a well versed player..

clearly not JG O'Rafferty or Skunk Baxter...

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 21 Dec 2005 2:28 pm

There was a lot of ragged steel playing going on among rock musicians in those days, Tony. All beginners usually sound about the same, until they hit their personal stride.

Was Jeff Baxter even playing steel yet when that album was made? I don't know. I didn't become aware of him until later on with Steely Dan and the Doobies... ca. 1974 or 75.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 21 Dec 2005 3:05 pm

yes there was a lot of ragged players back then, I was one of them, probably still am !

t

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 21 Dec 2005 5:39 pm

If I remember correctly Baxter played steel as early as 1969 in a band called "Ultimate Spinach"I think they were out of Boston,I saw them once in Greenwhich Village,I think it was Baxter on a lap steel.

Brian C Peters · Post by **Brian C Peters** » 21 Dec 2005 9:02 pm

I remember hearing that Rusty Young was giving steel guitar lessons to Peter Cetera...who knows??? Anyway, here's the link to "What Else Can I Say" from Chicago III. http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=76173#

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 22 Dec 2005 12:51 pm

Go to the link that Brian just posted and listen to the "Lowdown" clip. Check out that bass line, and Cetera singing at the same time. Of course, he may have overdubbed it, but he could play it live too. That is a wicked bass line.

Some people say that Jason Scheff is Peter's equal. Jason's no slouch, but he's no Pete Cetera, either.

Did not remember that there was steel on "What Else Can I Say"... obviously, as Tony states, not played by an advanced player. But it's in tune

When I hear these cuts, I remember why I loved them so much back then. I need to reacquainted.

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 23 Dec 2005 6:35 am

I agree Rick, I'm gonna dig out some of the old albums tonight and give 'em a listen.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 23 Dec 2005 7:29 pm

J.G. O'Rafferty, or James G. O'Rafferty used to be in Nashville through 1964-66 working road shows before going to SoCal. in 1967. In 1967 he worked on the road with Jimmy Wakely's roadshow.
During his west coast days he played with Tex Williams, Molly Bee, Merle Travis, and a bunch of others on the club scene.. basically one nighters for those without bands or regular steel players.

He did a stint with Danny Michaels Rebel Playboys, at one point he was the bass player, although he also played on steel for Danny.
Apparently he's also done sessions with Red Simpson, Del Shannon, Lee Hazelwood, and Duane Eddy.
He was part of Michaels Nesmith's Countryside Band in 1972, in fact Red Rhodes replaced him in that band. He was also signed as a solo artist to Nesmith's Countryside label and apparently there's material they never released.

So no, he's not anyone else.