How Four Marines Created a Rock Legend—By Accident

Four Marines. One shattered jaw. And a sound that would define a generation.
In 1969, Peter Cetera—future frontman of Chicago—got beaten up at a baseball game. That fight didn’t just break his face… it transformed his voice. From clenched teeth and reconstructive surgery came a vocal style that shaped hits like 25 or 6 to 4, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, and You’re the Inspiration.
🎙️ Discover the wild true story behind Chicago’s rise—and the injury that made it all possible.
👍 Like the story? Hit subscribe, share it with a music history buff, and explore more unexpected twists on An Ounce.
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👉 https://youtu.be/Z39Qf8z0gB4
#PeterCetera #ChicagoBand #MusicHistory #RockLegends #AnOunce #StorytellingPodcast #VocalTransformation
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⏱️ Chapters (Timestamps – Estimate Only)
0:00 – Ordinary Guy
1:11 – Something Strange Came From the Damage
1:38 – The Facts
3:14 – Now You Know The Name
3:52 – An Ounce

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🔗 Online References
1. Peter Cetera interview about the jaw injury (Goldmine Magazine):
https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/peter-cetera-recalls-beating-that-rewired-his-voice
2. James Guercio quote about 25 or 6 to 4 session (Classic Rock History):
https://www.classicrockhistory.com/the-story-behind-25-or-6-to-4-by-chicago/
3. Chicago's early band history (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame):
https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/chicago
4. Fan analysis of Cetera’s vocal change post-injury (Chicago fan forums archive):
https://forums.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/136923-peter-ceteras-voice-change/
5. Cetera explains the origin of “25 or 6 to 4” title (Ultimate Classic Rock):
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/25-or-6-to-4-title-explained/

Images: Credited in video and/or sourced through Getty and iStock by subscription through Power Director 365.
Music: Ducky Funk by Quincas Moreira via YouTube music library