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Lee Loughnane, a founding member and trumpet player of the rock band Chicago, was born into a musical family in Chicago, Illinois. Inspired by his father, who also played trumpet, Lee quickly mastered the instrument, earning a place in the All Star Catholic High School band. He furthered his studies at De Paul University.
Through his close friendship with guitarist Terry Kath ("We were thick as thieves"), Loughnane met drummer Danny Seraphine and woodwind player Walt Parazaider. Parazaider, aiming to create a rock 'n roll band featuring horns, invited Loughnane to join rehearsals. Initially called The Big Thing, the group later adopted the name The Chicago Transit Authority.
At first, Loughnane's role involved playing brass arrangements by trombonist Jimmy Pankow and providing backing vocals. His distinctive husky voice supported lead singers on tracks like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Over time, he also took on lead vocals successfully, as in "Song of the Evergreens." His voice remains an underrated asset for Chicago; in live performances, he often sings "Wishing You Were Here" and "Happy Man," delivering impressive performances.
As a trumpet player, Loughnane has progressed from a competent musician early in his career to an exceptional one today. Originally playing a Getzen trumpet, his solos on early Chicago albums displayed a quirky, unconventional style featuring intricate lip slurs and occasional ventures into high registers. Noteworthy early solos appear on "Beginnings," "The Approaching Storm," "Movin' In," "State of the Union," and the outtake "Sixth Sense." Despite his talent, it must have been frustrating that Chicago occasionally employed guest trumpet players on their recordings, such as Maynard Ferguson on "Chicago 13" and former Tower of Power members on "Chicago 17." Midway through his career, Loughnane quit smoking, changed teachers, and switched from his Getzen to a Claude Gordon trumpet with a large bore ("like blowing down the Holland tunnel"). Adopting new breathing techniques and tonguing methods, he has since become a formidable player.
Loughnane has also grown as a songwriter. A well-known story recounts how Peter Cetera had to help refine Loughnane's song "Call On Me" for "Chicago VII." Later compositions include "Together Again," "This Time," and the hit "No Tell Lover." By the time of "Hot Streets" (1978), Loughnane was branching into brass arrangements, a territory traditionally held by Pankow. His arranging skills matured further on the Christmas album "Chicago: What's It Gonna Be, Santa?" featuring standout tracks like "Let It Snow," "Sleigh Ride," and "Child's Prayer," where Loughnane often impresses audiences with live solos.
Known as one of the more approachable band members, Loughnane has been married four times and has several children. Once tall, thin, and occasionally bearded, he has since grayed and gained some weight, now resembling Maynard Ferguson. After suffering a minor heart attack in the 1990s, he has adopted healthier habits. In interviews, he is articulate and often humorous. Generally regarded as a nice person, Loughnane may have been overshadowed by Kath, Robert Lamm, and Pankow in the band's early years, and by Cetera later on, but his recent development has sparked more public discussion among Chicago fans, which surely pleases him.
