Chris Pinnick

Chris Pinnick
Birth name	Christopher Martin Pinnick
Born	(1953-07-23)July 23, 1953 Van Nuys, California
Genres	Rock, Blues, Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1970s–present

Chris Pinnick(born July 23, 1953) is an Americanguitaristandsongwriter,probably best known for his work with the bandChicagofrom 1980 to 1985.

Pinnick was born on July 23, 1953, inVan Nuys, California,and took up the guitar at the age of seven.An early example of his professional guitar work can be heard onHerb Alpert's single "Rise,"which reached No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100in October 1979.

After guitaristDonnie Dacusleft Chicago in 1980, Pinnick was hired as asession musicianfor the albumChicago XIV.In his biographyStreet Player,Chicago drummerDanny Seraphineremembers how Pinnick, like [Chicago's] original guitaristTerry Kath,played "guitar with plenty of fire" and had "similar mannerism". Robert Lamm, in an interview given at the time, confirmed that Pinnick's resemblance with Kath was at times "spooky".Pinnick toured with Chicago from 1981 through 1983. By the timeChicago 17was released in 1984, Pinnick was listed as a member of the band. However, Pinnick himself is quoted as saying he was never a full-fledged member.He left Chicago in 1985 and was succeeded byDawayne Bailey.

Pinnick's other recording credits include work for one-time Chicago frontmanPeter Cetera,Chuck Negron,Chet McCrackenand Rick Devin. As of 2008, he continues to do session work inLos Angeles,where he is also the co-owner and operator of a recording studio.