Danny Seraphine

Danny Seraphine was one of the architects of the band Chicago Transit Authority, soon known simply as Chicago. As the band’s original drummer, Danny performed and contributed his songwriting talents for over 22 years, 1967-2000. During his tenure, Chicago was the leading singles-charting group of the 1970’s. Collectively, the band generated sales of over 130 million units in the US with 22 gold, 18 platinum, and eight multi-platinum albums.  During the course of their career, the band charted five number one albums and 21 top-10 hits. Chicago is one of the longest running and most successful US pop/rock and roll groups, second only to the Beach Boys in terms of singles and albums.

Danny has been recognized as one of the world’s most highly-respected and influential jazz-rock/rock drummers of all-time, making Rolling Stone’s list of “All-time Top 100 Drummers”. The legendary Buddy Rich often noted that Danny was one of his favorite young drummers.

Following his departure from Chicago, Danny went on to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at both the Cape Breton (2010) and Montreal (2011) Drum Festivals. He was honored as Songwriter of the Year by the American Society of Composers Artists and Publishers (ASCAP) as a co-writer for Pitbull’s “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” during the 27th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards.   

In 2006, Danny formed his new band, CTA (California Transit Authority), which he continues to tour and record with today, while carrying on the jazz/rock legacy Chicago Transit Authority started in 1968.  Danny published his autobiography Street Player: My Chicago Story in 2010.  That same year he released the instructional DVD “The Art of Jazz Drumming” produced by The Drum Channel. 

Danny, along with the six surviving original members of Chicago, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 8, 2016.  He commented, “I never thought it was ever going to happen, so I didn’t know how it would feel. It’s an honor to be included with the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and all the other great artists that have been inducted. What I’m most proud of is that after 49 years, our music still sounds fresh.” As part of the induction ceremony, Danny and the six surviving, original band members, including Peter Cetera, performed together for the first time in 25 years (30 years for Cetera).  

Danny plays DW drums, pedals and hardware, Aquarian Drumheads, and Zildjian Cymbals utilizing a signature line of drumsticks created for him by Zildjian. He is also sponsored by ZOOM North American, DrumDots, and Auralex.