Sunday, May 29, 2011

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Peter Cetera

Artist:Peter Cetera
Song:Glory Of Love
Album:Solitude/Solitaire




Peter Cetera started out as the lead singer and bassist for the very popular 70s group Chicago. When he left, he had two number one hits including Glory Of Love in 1986. It was the theme for the very popular film The Karate Kid Part II. He's still around but hasn't had commercial success in recent years. He was born Sept. 13, 1944 in Chicago. He took up the bass in high school and his band The Exceptions released two albums. In Dec. 1967, he joined The Big Thing which soon became Chicago Transit Authority and then Chicago. Initially Cetera shared lead vocals with Robert Lamm and Terry Kath. But as the 70s progressed, Cetera contributed more songs and became the primary lead singer of hits like If You Leave Me Now and Baby, What A Big Surprise. At first, Cetera wanted to record solo while remaining a member of Chicago. When Chicago moved from Columbia to Warner Bros., Cetera recorded his debut solo album Peter Cetera in 1981. The album didn't sell because Warners was concerned he would leave Chicago so they didn't promote it. Meanwhile, Chicago came back in 1982 with David Foster as producer and had several hits all sung by Cetera. In late 1985, Cetera wanted to record solo again but it appears the band didn't want him to do that. So he left and recorded the 1986 solo album Solitude/Solitaire. Glory Of Love was the first single and it topped the Billboard Hot 100. It was the theme for the hit film The Karate Kid Part II and that certainly fueled the song's popularity. Cetera and Foster co-wrote it. His duet with Amy Grant Next Time I Fall also topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Solitude/Solitaire was certified Platinum. He had a few more chart hits including the 1988 top ten hit One Good Woman. But Cetera faded and he left Warners in 1992. Cetera has released Greatest Hits comps. But I guess he doesn't have the rights to the original versions so he records new versions of his own hits and Chicago hits. You don't want that. Warners has never released a Cetera comp but Solitude/Solitaire is available as a budget CD. Peter Cetera still tours but last recorded a Christmas CD on his own label in 2004. He seems to make a lot of appearances with regional symphony orchestras and his music is still played on Adult Contemporary radio. He currently lives in Idaho. Here's the video for Glory Of Love by Peter Cetera.

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