Lee Loughnane

Lee Loughnane, a founding member and trumpet player with the rock group Chicago, was born into a musical family in Chicago, Illinois. Influenced by his father (also a trumpet player), Lee excelled at the instrument almost from the beginning, even landing a spot in the All Star Catholic High School band. He continued his education at De Paul University. Through his friendship with guitarist Terry Kath ("We were thick as thieves"), Loughnane met drummer Danny Seraphine and woodwind player Walt Parazaider. Parazaider, 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. Lee's role (to begin with) consisted of playing trombonist Jimmy Pankow's brass arrangements and singing background vocals. His husky voice was an asset backing the lead singers on such songs as "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" In time, he also managed to sing some lead--