Bill Champlin

Rock Journeyman

Singer / songwriter / keyboard player / guitarist Bill Champlin has been a rock journeyman in a career dating back to the 1960s. Starting in 1966, Champlin was the pivotal figure in a San Francisco - based group called the Sons of Champlin that existed and made records off and on for over a decade without gaining a great deal of notice.

In 1981, Champlin became a member of Chicago, with whom he has recorded and toured ever since, while releasing the occasional solo album, sometimes only in Japan. He scored two singles chart entries in 1982 with "Tonight Tonight" and "Sara," duetted with Patti LaBelle on "The Last Unbroken Heart" from the soundtrack to the TV series Miami Vice in 1987, and sang with Brenda Russell on jazz saxophonist Tom Scott's Keep This Love Alive album in 1991.

Bill Champlin -
Single
"Champlin´s debutalbum"
The Tracks are: What Good Is Love, I Don´t Want You Anymore, We Both Tried, Yo´ Mama, Fly With Me, Love Is Forever, Careless, Elayne & Keys To The Kingdom.
Musicians on the Single album: Bill Champlin, David Foster, David Paich, Ray Parker Jr, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, David Shields, David Hungate, Larry Tolbert, Jeff Porcaro, Duris Maxwell, Paulinho Da Costa, Carmen Twillie, Venette Gloud, Bobby Kimball, Michael McDonald, Daryl Hall, Steve Porcaro, Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Oscar Brashear, Larry Williams, Bruce Paulsen, George Bohannon & Marty Paich.
Available from Epic/Sony Records/Original release year: 1978

Bill Champlin -
Runaway
"A classic west coast album"
The Tracks are: Runaway, One Way Ticket, Sara, Tonight Tonight, Runaway Reprise, Take It Uptown, Satisfaction, Stop Knockin´On My Door, Gotta Get Back To Love, Without You & The Fool Is All Alone.
Musicians on the Runaway album: Bill Champlin, John Robinson, Jon Pierce, Steve Lukather, David Foster, Tom Kelly, Ed Greene, Richard Page, Paul Lani, Larry Tolbert, Abraham Laboriel, Harry Bluestone, Gary Herbig, Jerry Hey, Humberto Gatica, Roger Linn, Tom Scott, Kenny Loggins, Gary Grant, Chuck Finley, Larry Williams, Charlie Loper, Bill Reichenbach, Tamara Matoesian, Carmen Grillo, Jay Graydon, Jeff Porcaro, Lee Sklar & James Newton Howard.
Available from Elektra, Warner/Original release year: 1981

Bill Champlin -
No Wasted Moments
"Comeback album"
The Tracks are: Lovers Tonight, No Wasted Moments, Sticky Situation, Before You Go & The City.
Musicians on the No Wasted Moments album: Bill Champlin, Kevin Dukes, Carlos Vega, Dennis Belfield, Danny Pelfrey, Tamara Champlin, Dan Higgins, Greg Smith, Rick Baptist, Bill Armstrong, Lee Loughnane, Walt Parazaider, Michael E. Hutchinson, Carmen Twillie, Jason Scheff, Bobby Caldwell, Joey Carbone, Gordon Goodwin & John Goux.
Available from Elektra, Warner/Original release year: 1990

Bill Champlin -
Burn Down The Night
"Champlin is burning down the night"
The Tracks are: In Love To Long, 1st And Last, Fly By The Light, Highest Stakes, The Thunder, For Less Than A Song, Headed For The Top, When Loves Come Around, Still Worth Saving & Same Old Song.
Musicians on the Burn Down The Night album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Tris Imboden, George Hawkins, Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather, Casey Young, Luis Conte, Danny Pelfrey, Bill Churchville, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Mona Lisa Young, Abraham Laboriel, Terry Haggerty, Tom Scott, Joseph Williams & Dennis Matkosky.
Available from Emotion/Original release year: 1992

Bill Champlin -
Burn Down The Night
"Swedish album release"
The Tracks are: In Love To Long, 1st And Last, Fly By The Light, Highest Stakes, The Thunder, For Less Than A Song, Headed For The Top, When Loves Come Around, Still Worth Saving & Same Old Song.
Musicians on the Burn Down The Night album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Tris Imboden, George Hawkins, Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather, Casey Young, Luis Conte, Danny Pelfrey, Bill Churchville, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Mona Lisa Young, Abraham Laboriel, Terry Haggerty, Tom Scott, Joseph Williams & Dennis Matkosky.
Available from Emotion/Original release year: 1992

Bill Champlin -
Burn Down The Night
"US album release"
The Tracks are: In Love To Long, 1st And Last, Fly By The Light, Highest Stakes, The Thunder, For Less Than A Song, Headed For The Top, When Loves Come Around, Still Worth Saving & Same Old Song.
Musicians on the Burn Down The Night album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Tris Imboden, George Hawkins, Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather, Casey Young, Luis Conte, Danny Pelfrey, Bill Churchville, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Mona Lisa Young, Abraham Laboriel, Terry Haggerty, Tom Scott, Joseph Williams & Dennis Matkosky.
Available from Turnip Music Group/Original release year: 1992

Bill Champlin -
Burn Down The Night
"German album release"
The Tracks are: In Love To Long, 1st And Last, Fly By The Light, Highest Stakes, The Thunder, For Less Than A Song, Headed For The Top, When Loves Come Around, Still Worth Saving & Same Old Song.
Musicians on the Burn Down The Night album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Tris Imboden, George Hawkins, Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather, Casey Young, Luis Conte, Danny Pelfrey, Bill Churchville, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Mona Lisa Young, Abraham Laboriel, Terry Haggerty, Tom Scott, Joseph Williams & Dennis Matkosky.
Available from Beverly Records/Original release year: 1994

Bill Champlin -
Through It All
"5th album from Champlin"
The Tracks are: I Must Have Been A Foul, Turn Your Love Around, Just To Be Loved, Proud Of Our Blindness, Come On In, Sound Of The Rain, Through It All, In The Heat Of The Night, Little Sister & Light Up The Candles.
Musicians on the Through It All album: Bill Champlin, Dennis Matkosky, Tom Saviano, Greg Mathieson, Bruce Gaitsch, Tamara Champlin, Gardner Cole, Abraham Laboriel, Kiki Ebsen, Mike Murphy, Danny Pelfrey, Dave Koz, Lee Thornberg & Rick Baptiste.
Available from Westcoast Records, Turnip Music Group/Original release year: 1994

Bill Champlin -
He Started To Sing
"and he still does....."
The Tracks are: He Started To Sing, Love Is Gonna Find You, It´s About Time, Party Time In D.C., Love Comes And Goes, Sex Thang, Southern Seranade, One Love At A Time, God Sent Angels & Someone Else.
Musicians on the He Started To Sing album: Bill Champlin, Janey Clewer, Bruce Gaitsch, Abraham Laboriel, Billy Ward, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, George Hawkins, Gary Grant, Steve Madaio, Tom Saviano, David Boruff, Brandon Fields, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Grillo, Tracy Gable, Jason Scheff & Mario Cippolina.
Available from Turnip Music Group/Original release year: 1995

Bill Champlin -
He Started To Sing
"German album release"
The Tracks are: He Started To Sing, Love Is Gonna Find You, It´s About Time, Party Time In D.C., Love Comes And Goes, Sex Thang, Southern Seranade, One Love At A Time, God Sent Angels & Someone Else.
Musicians on the He Started To Sing album: Bill Champlin, Janey Clewer, Bruce Gaitsch, Abraham Laboriel, Billy Ward, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, George Hawkins, Gary Grant, Steve Madaio, Tom Saviano, David Boruff, Brandon Fields, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Grillo, Tracy Gable, Jason Scheff & Mario Cippolina.
Available from Beverly Records/Original release year: 1995

Bill Champlin -
He Started To Sing
"Japanese album release"
The Tracks are: He Started To Sing, Love Is Gonna Find You, It´s About Time, Party Time In D.C., Love Comes And Goes, Sex Thang, Southern Seranade, One Love At A Time, God Sent Angels & Someone Else.
Musicians on the He Started To Sing album: Bill Champlin, Janey Clewer, Bruce Gaitsch, Abraham Laboriel, Billy Ward, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, George Hawkins, Gary Grant, Steve Madaio, Tom Saviano, David Boruff, Brandon Fields, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Grillo, Tracy Gable, Jason Scheff & Mario Cippolina.
Available from Polystar Records/Original release year: 1995

Bill Champlin -
Mayday
"Great live album"
The Tracks are: Party Time In D.C., Lovers Tonight, Take It Uptown, Southern Serenade, Backstreets Of Paradise, Organ Solo/In The Heat Of The Night, Headed For The Top, Another Day/Song For My Grandfather, After The Love Is Gone, First And Last, Bass Solo, Gold Mine, Drum Solo & Satisfaction.
Musicians on the Mayday album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, Rochon Westmoreland, Eddie Garcia, Tamara Champlin & Tom Saviano.
Available from Champlin Records/Original release year: 1996

 

Bill Champlin -
Mayday
"Japanese album release"
The Tracks are: Party Time In D.C., Lovers Tonight, Take It Uptown, Southern Serenade, Backstreets Of Paradise, Organ Solo/In The Heat Of The Night, Headed For The Top, Another Day/Song For My Grandfather, After The Love Is Gone, First And Last, Bass Solo, Gold Mine, Drum Solo & Satisfaction.
Musicians on the Mayday album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, Rochon Westmoreland, Eddie Garcia, Tamara Champlin & Tom Saviano.
Available from Champlin Records/Original release year: 1996

 

Bill Champlin -
Single
"Re-release of the Champlin´s debutalbum"
The Tracks are: What Good Is Love, I Don´t Want You Anymore, We Both Tried, Yo´ Mama, Fly With Me, Love Is Forever, Careless, Elayne & Keys To The Kingdom.
Musicians on the Single album: Bill Champlin, David Foster, David Paich, Ray Parker Jr, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, David Shields, David Hungate, Larry Tolbert, Jeff Porcaro, Duris Maxwell, Paulinho Da Costa, Carmen Twillie, Venette Gloud, Bobby Kimball, Michael McDonald, Daryl Hall, Steve Porcaro, Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Oscar Brashear, Larry Williams, Bruce Paulsen, George Bohannon & Marty Paich.
Available from Evangeline/Original release year: 2005

Bill Champlin -
Burn Down The Night
"Japanese reissue"
The Tracks are: Highest Stakes, The Thunder, For Less Than A Song, Headed For The Top, When Loves Come Around, Still Worth Saving, Same Old Song, In Love To Long, 1st And Last, Fly By The Light, Foreign Fire & Love Will Take You.
Musicians on the Burn Down The Night album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Tris Imboden, George Hawkins, Bruce Gaitsch, Steve Lukather, Casey Young, Luis Conte, Danny Pelfrey, Bill Churchville, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Mona Lisa Young, Abraham Laboriel, Terry Haggerty, Tom Scott, Joseph Williams & Dennis Matkosky.
Available from Victor Records/Original release year: 2008

Bill Champlin -
Through It All
"Japanese reissue"
The Tracks are: I Must Have Been A Foul, Turn Your Love Around, Just To Be Loved, Proud Of Our Blindness, Come On In, Sound Of The Rain, Through It All, In The Heat Of The Night, Little Sister & Light Up The Candles.
Musicians on the Through It All album: Bill Champlin, Dennis Matkosky, Tom Saviano, Greg Mathieson, Bruce Gaitsch, Tamara Champlin, Gardner Cole, Abraham Laboriel, Kiki Ebsen, Mike Murphy, Danny Pelfrey, Dave Koz, Lee Thornberg & Rick Baptiste.
Available from Victor Records/Original release year: 2008

Bill Champlin -
He Started To Sing
"Japanese reissue"
The Tracks are: He Started To Sing, Love Is Gonna Find You, It´s About Time, Party Time In D.C., Love Comes And Goes, Sex Thang, Southern Seranade, One Love At A Time, God Sent Angels & Someone Else.
Musicians on the He Started To Sing album: Bill Champlin, Janey Clewer, Bruce Gaitsch, Abraham Laboriel, Billy Ward, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, George Hawkins, Gary Grant, Steve Madaio, Tom Saviano, David Boruff, Brandon Fields, Tamara Champlin, Carmen Grillo, Tracy Gable, Jason Scheff & Mario Cippolina.
Available from Victor Records/Original release year: 2008

Bill Champlin -
Mayday
"Japanese reissue"
The Tracks are: Party Time In D.C., Lovers Tonight, Take It Uptown, Southern Serenade, Backstreets Of Paradise, Organ Solo/In The Heat Of The Night, Headed For The Top, Another Day/Song For My Grandfather, After The Love Is Gone, First And Last, Bass Solo, Gold Mine, Drum Solo & Satisfaction.
Musicians on the Mayday album: Bill Champlin, Greg Mathieson, Jerry Lopez, Rochon Westmoreland, Eddie Garcia, Tamara Champlin & Tom Saviano.
Available from Victor Records/Original release year: 2008

 

Bill Champlin -
No Place Left To Fall
"Groovy Mr. Champlin"
The Tracks are: Total Control, Tuggin´On Your Sleeve, The Truth, No Place Left To Fall, Lover Like That, Lookin´For You, Never Been Afraid, Angelina, Look Away, I Want You To Stay, Never Let Go, Stone Cold Hollywood & All Along. DVD: Introduction, BC Background, Old School, The Songs, Blood Heart, In Conclusion, No Place Left To Fall Jam, Will Champlin, BC On The Beatles & Bob Dyland & Sons Of Champlin Live! "Gold Mine".
Musicians on the No Place Left To Fall album: Bill Champlin, Billy Ward, George Hawkins Jr., Bruce Gaitsch, Mark Eddinger, Will Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Peter Cetera, Steve Lukather, Angelo Petrucci, Veronica Petrucci, Isabeau Miller, Dennis Matkosky, Leslie Matkosky, Keith Laundry, Beth Hooker, Michael English, Keith Howland, Jerry Lopez, Danny Falcone, Gil Kaupp, Nathan Tanouye, Phil Wigfall, Robert Mader, Jerry Merra, Dave Richardson.
Available from Victor Records/Original release year: 2008

Back to A Closer Look press here