If you tune into any classic rock station today, you’re bound to hear Chicago’s Danny Seraphine.

Seraphine, a founding member and the original drummer of Chicago, contributed to many of the band’s hits such as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park,” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”

Those tracks and more are what guests can expect from his Take Me Back to Chicago tour, coming back to the newly improved Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Saturday, March 12. Jeff Coffey, the lead singer and bassist for Chicago from 2016-2018, will also be joining the tour.

“We’re ready to kick it up a notch and put big smiles on their faces,” Seraphine said.

After parting ways with the band in 1990, Seraphine went into producing and started his band, the California Transit Authority (which plays on the other band’s original name, Chicago Transit Authority). In 2016, Seraphine joined Chicago in the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“It was a great honor and evening,” Seraphine said. “I got to play with Chicago for the first time in 25 years.”

Seraphine talked with the Southern California News Group about his upcoming show at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and what it’s like to be a producer. The conversation was edited for space and clarity.

Q. How did you get into producing?

It’s just something I’ve always enjoyed. When we were making our records in the old days, I used to love sitting around and learning from the great producers that we worked with, and I wanted to be a part of that. It’s like being a director of a movie. You really control the direction and the pulse of the project. I enjoy that.

Q. What’s it like to produce music for film and theater?

It’s really not that different than just making records. You just use your creativity to try and match up with whatever the scene is that you’re creating the piece of music for. That’s the beauty of it, trying to have the sounds that fit the visuals. It’s a real challenge.

Q. Who are some of your influences as a musician?

My first influence was the great [drummers] Gene Krupa and then Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson and Elvin Jones. I got the privilege to study with the late great Jo Jones. It’s mostly jazz giants but also some of the great rock drummers of past days like Mitch Mitchell of Jimi Hendrix.

Q. What kind of music are you listening to right now and what role does that play in inspiring your music?

I still listen to a lot of the old jazz, pop, R&B, and rock artists from the past. I’m pretty well-entrenched in what I do. So I go back and listen to the things I really love to listen to, like Steely Dan and Miles Davis.

Q. What have been some of the career highlights that really stick out to you?

Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is close to the top and getting inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame was also a big highlight. I’d also say opening for Jimi Hendrix in the early days. We hung out with him and the band and got to know him. He was really a nice person.

Q. This isn’t your first time playing the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Is there anything that stood out to you among the crowd or atmosphere when playing their outside venue?

The Fantasy Springs Show was the first show we had done since the pandemic started. It felt so good to play in front of a live audience. People were smiling ear to ear. I’m looking forward to coming back.

If you go

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 12.

Where: The Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

Tickets: Free

Information: fantasyspringsresort.com

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