Occupation(s) Musician Name Chris Pinnick | Website Official website | |
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Role Guitarist · chrispinnick.com Albums Chicago 17, Chicago 16, Take Me Back to Chicago, Chicago XIV, Greatest Hits - Volume II Similar People Chet McCracken, Donnie Dacus, Keith Howland, Dawayne Bailey, Danny Seraphine | ||
Music group Chicago (1980 – 1985) | ||
Little Wing
Chris Pinnick is an American guitarist and songwriter, probably best known for his work with the band Chicago from 1979-1986.
Pinnick was born on July 23, 1953 in Van Nuys, California and took up the guitar at the age of seven. An early example of his professional guitar work can be heard on Herb Alpert's single "Rise," which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1979.
After interim guitarist Donnie Dacus left Chicago in late 1979, Pinnick was hired as a session musician for the album Chicago XIV. He continued to tour with the band, and remained as a second guitarist despite the hiring of Bill Champlin for Chicago 16. By the time Chicago 17 was released in 1984, Pinnick was listed as a full member of the band. However, Pinnick himself is quoted as saying he was never a member and in any case he left the group in 1986 and was succeeded by Dawayne Bailey.
Pinnick's other recording credits include work for one-time Chicago frontman Peter Cetera, Chuck Negron, Chet McCracken and Rick Devin. As of 2008, he continues to do session work in Los Angeles, where he is also the co-owner and operator of a recording studio.