Peter Cetera, Chicago Frontman and Solo Star Returns to Paramount for One Night Only

With his unmistakable tenor voice, legendary songwriting skills and bass guitar chops to boot, Chicago frontman and solo star Peter Cetera defines an entire era of American rock music.

Penning and singing lead vocals on Chicago's first No. 1 single "If You Leave Me Now," Cetera propelled the group into the worldwide spotlight. His power ballads like "Baby, What a Big Surprise" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" drove Chicago to become one of the best-selling American rock bands of all time, second only to The Beach Boys.

But Cetera's success didn't stop when he left Chicago. After releasing his self-titled album in 1981, the star dominated the airwaves with a string of chart-toppers, including smash hits "Glory Of Love," "The Next Time I Fall" with Amy Grant, "One Good Woman" and more, all still rockin' the radio to this day.

Get ready to welcome Cetera back to his home town Chicago when he performs one-night-only at Aurora's Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Friday, September 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $65. To purchase, go to ParamountAurora.com, call the box office, 630-896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

More about Peter Cetera

Peter Cetera was born and raised in Morgan Park on Chicago's far South side. In December 1967, Cetera arrived early for a show to watch a band called The Big Thing. Impressed by their use of a horn section combined with rock and roll, Cetera left his band The Exceptions to join The Big Thing, which soon changed its name to The Chicago Transit Authority, and eventually shortened it to Chicago after complaints by the CTA.

Their first self-titled debut album The Chicago Transit Authority was released in 1969. The follow-up album, Chicago, vaulted the band to popular status throughout the world, with "25 or 6 to 4" the first major hit single with Cetera singing lead vocals. Chicago is also notable for featuring Cetera's first songwriting effort, "Where Do We Go From Here?"

As the 1970s progressed, Cetera would become a prolific songwriter, contributing the hits "Wishing You Were Here" (#11) and "Happy Man" from the 1974 album Chicago VII. His biggest singing and songwriting accomplishment with Chicago came in 1976 with their first worldwide No. 1 single, the ballad "If You Leave Me Now." Cetera's next composition in 1977, "Baby, What A Big Surprise" (#4), also became a major hit and cemented the band's status in the late 1970s as a "ballad band." In 1982, the album Chicago 16 (#9) featured the hit single "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," which went to #1 in the charts.

Cetera left Chicago in 1985 and has since enjoyed a hugely successful solo career. His first solo single, "Glory of Love," the theme to the movie The Karate Kid, Part II, was a No. 1 hit in 1986 and was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Other solo career highlights include multiple albums, collaborations with artists like Amy Grant, Cher and Chaka Khan, and composing original songs for TV shows like Baywatch.

Now out of Chicago longer than he was in, he dislikes discussing his years in the group, saying, "It's like talking about your ex-wife." For more, visit petercetera.com.

More about Paramount Theatre's 2015-16 Season

In addition to Peter Cetera, Paramount's 2015-16 season is anchored by its Broadway musical series: Oklahoma, directed by Jim Corti(Sept. 16-Oct. 18); A Christmas Story- The Musical (Nov. 25-Jan. 3), directed by Nick Bowling, Hairspray - The Broadway Musical, directed by Amber Mak (Jan. 20-Feb. 21) and West Side Story, directed by Jim Corti (Mar. 16-Apr. 24).

Paramount is still offering the same great "Buy Two Shows, Get Two Shows Free" subscription offer, with four-play packages starting as low as just $82. The rewards are ample - four amazing, Broadway-quality, classic American musicals at one of the most majestic theaters in the Midwest, all for the price of one show downtown.

Subscriber benefits include the best seats, free ticket exchange privileges, 10% discounts on additional shows at the Paramount, first notice of added shows, special subscriber events and exclusive access to our Broadway Series Premium Guest Experience (including pre-show hors d'oeuvres, open bar and private intermission bar service.)

In addition to its Broadway series, Paramount's 2015-16 season also boasts The Happy Together Tour and Season Kick-Off Party (Aug. 21), The Duke Ellington Orchestra (Sept. 5), Chicago's own Jersey Boys Under The Streetlamp (Oct. 25), Jay Leno with special musical guest Emily West (Oct. 30), Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl (Oct. 31), Jack Hanna's Into the Wild Live! (Nov. 1), star of A&E's hit Paranormal State The Happy Medium - Kim Russo (Nov. 6), comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo (Nov. 7), Peter & Paul of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary (Nov. 8), country music hunk Josh Turner (Nov. 12), comedian and ventriloquist Terry Fator (Nov. 13), Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis (Nov. 14), The Second City's Holidazed and Confused Revue (Dec. 4-20, in Paramount's Copley Theatre), STOMP (Feb. 26 & 27), I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues (A Salute to Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Patsy Cline), (Feb 28), Queen cover geniuses God Save the Queen (Mar. 5), and Donny & Marie (May 25-29.) Classic Movie Mondays are back too, with $1 screenings of everyone's favorite flicks most Monday nights.

For subscriptions, single tickets or more information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora.

Paramount's 2015-16 Broadway Series is sponsored by the Dunham Fund,
BMO Harris Bank and Paramount Arts Centre Endowment (PACE). Broadway Series Orchestra Sponsor is Rush-Copley. Broadway Series Lighting Sponsor is ComEd. Broadway Series Costume Sponsor is Gerald Subaru.

About The Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre is the center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. Named "One of Chicago's Top 10 Attended Theatres" by the League of Chicago Theatres, the 1,888-seat Paramount Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Aurora at 23 E. Galena Blvd., is nationally renowned for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.

The Paramount Theatre opened on September 3, 1931. Designed by nationally renowned theater architects C.W. and George L. Rapp, the theater captures a unique Venetian setting portrayed in the art deco influence of the 1930s. The first air-conditioned building outside of Chicago, the Paramount offered the public a variety of entertainment, including "talking pictures," vaudeville, concerts and circus performances for more than 40 years.

In 1976, Aurora Civic Center Authority purchased the Paramount and closed the theater for restoration. The $1.5 million project restored the Paramount to its original grandeur. On April 29, 1978, the Paramount Arts Center opened, offering a variety of theatrical, musical, comedy, dance and family programming. In 2006, a 12,000-square-foot, two-story Grand Gallery lobby was added, with a new, state-of-the-art box office, café and art gallery.

Today, the Paramount produces its own Broadway Musical series, presents an eclectic array of comedy, music, dance and family shows, and on most Mondays, screens a classic movie. For tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com or call (630) 896-6666.

The Paramount Theatre is one of three live performance venues programmed and managed by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA). ACCA also oversees the Paramount's "sister" stage, the intimate, 175-seat Copley Theatre located directly across the street from the Paramount at 8 E. Galena Blvd., as well as RiverEdge Park, downtown Aurora's summer outdoor concert venue.

The Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Tim Rater, President and CEO, Aurora Civic Center Authority; Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre; a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater and music professionals.

For more information, visit ParamountAurora.com.

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