RESOLUTION HONORING DANNY SERAPHINE FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO MUSIC AND TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine was born on August 28, 1948 in this great city and grew up on the 3500 block of N. Normandy, attending St. Priseilla Grammar School. Steinmetz High School and going.on to study privately with famed percussionist Bob Tillcs at DePaul University, where members Chicago were also studying; and
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine has achieved great heights as a pioneering jazz-rock drummer, composer and a founding member of the legendary rock group Chicago, whoalong with band members (and teen friends)" Walter Parazaider and Terry Kath, and Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera are a great source of pride for the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Chicago, was,originally called "The Chicago Transit Authority", until the actual Chicago Transit Authority threatened legal action, consequently shortening its name to "Chicago". thus allowing this great city to share a name with this beloved and acclaimed band: and
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine is known for his creativity and lightening speed, renowned for his mastery of the drums, a wonderful example of this showcased on Chicago's mega-hit "25 or 6 to 4"; and
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine, along with his band mates, achieved world renowned fame and recognition as the iconic group Chicago, who worldwide sold over 122 million albums, and domestically earned 22 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums, making Chicago one of the longest running and most successful pop/rock and roll groups of all time: and
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine and Chicago were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6438 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, forever securing their place in rock history and in the hearts of their fans; and
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine is considered a critically acclaimed instrumentalist and composer, being recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as being one, of the top 100 drummers of all time; and
WHEREAS. Danny Seraphine has continued to engage in creative endeavors with a variety of musical and theatrical projects, producing and resourcing investment for Broadway shows, and
WHEREAS. Danny Seraphine is a published author, releasing.his autobiography. Street Player: My Chicago Story la 2010, as well as the biographical and instruct ional DVD "The Art of Jazz Rock Drumming" produced by the Drum Channel: and
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WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine is a recipient of many well-deserved awards including
a Lifetime Achievement Award given at the Cape Breton Drum Festival (2010) and a second
Lifetime Achievement Award given at the Montreal Drum Festival (2011); and
WHEREAS. In 2006 Danny Seraphine debuted a new band, California Transit Authority {CTAj, whose music is built on Seraphine's beloved music heritage of blazing brass, taut funk, searing guitars and adventurous musicianship, delighting a new generation of fans; and
WHEREAS, Danny Seraphine is to be commended for his inspiration to young people, especially those in the City of Chicago, serving as proof that with hard work sometimes dreams can come true;
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago thanks Danny Seraphine, one of its own, for his talents and for the honor and acclaim he has brought to our great city, and for the musical gifts that he has shared with so many.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here in assembly this 6th day of May, 2015, A.D do hereby express our gratitude and appreciation to Danny Seraphine for his gifts to this city and the world, and we assure him that we will never forget his fine legacy or his contributions to the City of Chicago and its people.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation to Danny Seraphine.
Nicholas Sposato Alderman, 36th Ward