| Lee Loughnane | |
|---|---|
Loughnane in 2008 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lee David Loughnane |
| Born | October 21, 1946 Elmwood Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, blues, R'n'B |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards, vocals, guitar |
| Associated acts | Chicago |
| Notable instruments | |
| Flugelhorn | |
Lee Loughnane (pronounced LOCK-nane), born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.[1]
Loughnane was influenced by his father Philip (also a trumpeter).
Through his friendship with guitarist Terry Kath, Loughnane met drummer Danny Seraphine and saxophone/woodwind player Walter Parazaider. Parazaider, who was trying to form a rock 'n roll band with horns, encouraged Loughnane to sit in on rehearsals. At first, the group was known as The Big Thing. Eventually it became The Chicago Transit Authority (later renamed Chicago) with the addition of members James Pankow (trombone), Robert Lamm (keyboards), and Peter Cetera (bass). Loughnane has continued to be a member of Chicago since its inception.
Loughnane's songwriting contributions for Chicago have included the hit singles "Call on Me" from Chicago VII and "No Tell Lover" from Hot Streets, as well as album cuts such as "Together Again" on Chicago X and "This Time" on Chicago XI. Loughnane received his lead vocal debut on the Terry Kath composition "Song of The Evergreens" on Chicago VII. He has also provided background vocals on several Chicago songs, and the occasional lead vocal such as on "Let it Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" from Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album.
He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and was awarded the National Citation as well as being recognized as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009.[2]
In recent years, Loughnane has taken on a growing leadership role in the band. He has directed Chicago's remastering effort of its song catalogue, and he provides on-stage leadership during live performances. He is the member of the band who is the most gracious and outwardly friendly during live performances.
Loughnane comes from a large family, which includes a Chicago cop, a church choir leader, a world leader in electronic academic reference suites, a CFO and an Elmwood Park library associate. Loughnane has been married several times: to Susan Marie Steele (1970–1972);[3] to Elizabeth Cunneff (married 1979) [4] and with whom he has a son, Brian Patrick (b. 1976);[5] and to Patricia Leininger, with whom he has a daughter River Brittany (b. 1988) and a son Dylan Lee (b. 1992).[6] Loughnane also adopted Cunneff's daughter Catherine Elizabeth "Cat" (b. 1970)[7] He is currently married to the former Megan Cathleen Brown with whom he has a son Lee II. The couple resides in Branson, MO.