The dummer and Chicago drummer are friends. Much respect. I will see them in 2024

They are by far THE best cover band on youtube---PERIOD !!!!!!!

If you ARE a Chicago fan, you are now a dedicated Leonid and Friends fan. You definitely need to listen to all (25 or 30) of their Chicago covers. Not a bad one in the bunch. They've also done a few of other bands, among them EWF, BS&T, Ides of March, and a few more. I suggest you try "I'm a Man" at some point.

This young man on the guitar is spot on, he sounds just like Terry Katy all you Gotta do is close your eyes. I get chills every time I hear this. 60 years old and I absolutely adore this band.

@saturnnet1627

2 жыл бұрын

Not even Terry Kath ould have done that solo any better.

@bobburroughs6241

Жыл бұрын

Who's Terry Katy? 🤣

@clare1061

Жыл бұрын

@@bobburroughs6241 sorry Kath

Rolling back the years with this.

The greatest gift America ever gave the world is music keep it up you're on the right track now share those vibrations shake the planet stop

Thank you for doing a reaction to this song. They have quite a few 'Chicago' songs: I tell you, They Are AMAZING! Thank you.

I've watched a lot of Leonid & Friends reactions and I think you've just said it best: "An eye for Detail" Talk about spot on....

I got to see them live in Birmingham, AL, a couple months ago. Just awesome. As some have said, they sound more like Chicago than Chicago!!!

these guys do so many great covers, please react to more of their music

Dude. Not a cover band but a tribute band because they sound just like them!

They're awesome.

@tinasherer6775

Жыл бұрын

I watch them sometimes all day. I am in awe of them. Everyone of them is special and so talented. A lot of people in the "free world" judge them as communists, and don't understand that they are as we are. It's their Government that we are not sure about. But there they are in concerts sometimes better than the originals. Please back them now anyway that you can. Thank you

@afanasyisidorelly5775

2 ай бұрын

@@tinasherer6775 А чем американские демократы и республиканцы лучше коммунистов?Ни чем!Они хуже!Гораздо хуже!

WOW, Outstanding. When they started, I thought I was actually listening to Chicago!!!

I discovered Leonid and friends a little over a month ago and I Continually now listen to them on Utube. They also have a backup singer not featured in this song Named Kesnia who not only is the most beautiful woman in the world today but rises the background vocals to a level that did not exist in the original Chicago and Earth wind and fire tracks. She does a lead vocals with the group " leave me now" a cut from a black Russian group that all I can say is you have to just hear as well as a cover to Celine Dion's "my heart will go on " where quite frankly I feel she out sings Celine!!

i am myself an accomplished trumpet player since 1967 and have played all these Chicago covers. These guys are absolutely flawless! As you noted, their focus on playing the arrangement exactly how it is written is what blows me away and continues to do so each time i watch and listen to them! i will be enjoying them this November 2022 when they pass through my neck of the woods in Texas.

Dude, if you ever have a chance to see them live, take it. I promise you will not be disappointed.

@JamesDavis-qg4jl

Жыл бұрын

I will see them in September. I can't wait.

You are right, my friend!

These guys rare amazing. They do steely Dan, Earth Wind and Fire. Perfect covers….enjoy

Muchas felicidades interpretan súper muy bien mis rolas

The harmonies from the back up vocals, The horn section, the guitar player and that lead singer is unheard of in a cover band.

I got turned onto this band a couple years ago and they absolutely love everything they do. The respect that they show in redoing this music is phenomenal. Hats off to this band.

@jemntertainment

3 жыл бұрын

I will be back in a couple days with the next reaction of Leonid & Friends "Vehicle" I think. Feel free to request your favorite song from this group! Yes I agree that they are terrific and sound amazing. Thank you again CE.

Oh, lol, forgot to mention, I was the one that pestered them to do a cover of Vehicle. Well, maybe not pestered but more like encouraged A LOT until they were finally convinced and put out the video of their studio performance. Vasilli’s voice was PERFECT for covering the song and if you look at the comments on the KZread video, the original lead singer from Ides of March that performed the version we are all familiar with left an extremely complimentary comment stating that he was honored that they chose this song and did it so well he thought it was himself and the band performing until he saw “all these other guys doing it”, lol. Pretty cool. 😎

@lindabergman3127

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing so 😍they're awesome n I can't wait to see them in Kansas city June 2022❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Bet ya didn’t expect anything so phenomenal as this 😱

I’m 60 years old and I listen to this over and over and don’t hear anything that doesn’t sound like the original album version. This Young man is spot on with Terry Kath.

@gustavopardiplaz4301

3 жыл бұрын

Over AND over Man 👍

Hey John. I have had the pleasure of hanging out with these folks on a number of occasions. Fantastic people, all of them. If you want to have another blown away session, have a listen to them cover “Vehicle” from the Ides of March. Amazing.😎 (By the way, it’s pronounced “Lee-oh-nid”. They have actually had a few members of Chicago get up on stage with them.)

Incredible group of amazing talent.

Jaw dropping.

Ij9le me dejan boca abierta me encanta

their cover of Steely Dans My Old School is superb !

Tribute band

This is just stellar!!! Just found these guys last night. Totally blown away!!! This shows how complex and difficult Chicago's music is!! Great reaction!!👍🏖

These ppls are simply awesome I love them👏👏👏👏👏

They just released a cover of FANTASY by Earth Wind & Fire that matches this for being a perfect recreation of the original. And only Leonid (BS), Vitaly (BV), and Igor (DR) remain from the version of the band that did this video.

I would love to have seen Terry Kath's reaction to the guitarist cover of his playing. I think he would have approved. This guy was extraordinarily spot on playing this, and in all of their Chicago covers.

@jamesrawlins735

Жыл бұрын

I do know that James Pankow actually shouted them out in a tweet and even sat in with them one time. They also did a great cover of Vehicle by The Ides of March and their lead singer said if he hadn't looked at the video he would have sworn it was his band playing.

Glad you found these kids. Found them a few years ago unbelievable. My reaction was about the same as yours.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Love them in concert a couple of years ago in Los Angeles. They are just outstanding!

i LOVE when Sergey does the Vox Pedal 3:45 As a teen in the 70's that part just rings out...

Chicago and Danny Seraphine have been aware of them a long time. Their first song was done in 2014. They recorded about 35 to 40 Chicago songs and have branched out to other groups and recorded some of their own songs. Leonid & Friends have toured the U.S. 3 times in 2018 and 2019. They are hoping to come back this year.

@jamesrawlins735

Жыл бұрын

If I remember, James Pankow gave them a shoutout and actually sat in with them for a performance.

Check out their other Chicago covers especially Street Player with special guest Arturo Sandoval or Earth, Wind, and Fire, September. John, these Russian musicians are on a technical level few can touch. They are that good.

Seen them 4 times in San Diego. Amazing! Pray for our boys in Ukraine!

@jemntertainment

2 жыл бұрын

They came all the way out to San Diego? Wow! That's awesome. Very cool, thank you for sharing.

@Kimmcmahon

2 жыл бұрын

@@jemntertainment They did. They usually play at this small venue in Solona Beach. They are awesome! Front row seat always. I even went back into their control room section. :) I'm a geek.

Listen to Call on me or Beginnings

Hey, John, his name is LEE-O-NID. Remember, he’s Russian. So glad you love this crazy great band. They’re coming to Georgia in a few weeks and I’ve got tix. They’re gonna be really famous.

You need to listen to this song, "So Very Hard to Go - Leonid & Friends (Tower of Power cover)"

I think that the Name is pronounced "Lee-o-nid"! Pretty sure but if someone can change my mind I'll stand corrected!😜👍😎

I think the term for what they do to the original music is "punch it up", intensify the original, almost like a modern remix. They are outstanding. Does anyone know how the war is/has affected them?

@jemntertainment

Жыл бұрын

I recently saw that they are on tour right now. Hopefully it means that they are on the road, and not at home.

John, Welcome to Leonid and Friends. Their version of Chicago songs are better then the current iteration of Chicago. You may have noticed the sheet music present. Leonid, who is playing bass on this one has painstakenly transposed the songs for all parts directly from the recordings to assure accuracy. As you review more of their work you will probably come to agree with me that they are not a "cover band", but rather a "tribute band". Oh and btw, they also reprise "September", by Earth Wind and Fire, and "Vehicle", by Ides of March. Both are worth a listen. May I also suggest "I've Been Searching For So Long" . They have a complete string section in studio! Cheers!

@asuspad5759

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing to add to that!

"Leonid" is correctly pronounced "Lay-o_need".

The only thing missing is the snap, crackle and pop of overused vinyl

Too bad you are just getting to hear them. They toured the US for most of 2019. Probably would have been in 2020 if not for Covid. You are correct that Chicago loves these guys. Danny Seraphine played with them on a few numbers on several stops on their tour. Robert Lamm attended one of their first performances in L.A. Chicago even linked to them on their web site at one point. As for being a "cover band", I suggest listening to their rendition of Colour My World - kzread.info/dash/bejne/hqdsmKqeqc3FlZc.html. I really disliked Chicago's version but Leonid has turned it into something incredible. But almost every video of theirs is outstanding. For a real treat see if you can find Hard to Say I'm Sorry. Unfortunately KZread made Leonid take it down from his site but it is still being shared by other people.

Hello John, greetings from Ecuador, South America. I see that you really liked the cover of 25 or 6 to 4 by Leonid and friends. I also liked this Russian band with its Ukrainian singer a lot and it has become one of my favorites in the world of covers; It was because of them that I became more interested in Chicago music. In the USA you have an excellent cover band called Lexington Lab Band, I've been following you for 5 years and your covers are really one of the best I've heard. I advise you to follow them and ask you to make your reaction to their cover version of this same Chicago icon, 25 or 6 to 4. I will be waiting for it. Good luck and blessings. Bye!

@jemntertainment

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Dean,, I will be doing a lot more Leonid and friends this month. I appreciate you sharing a little back story of the band, and would be most honored If you would select the next Leonid video for reaction please.

How about a hand for the studio mixer/producer? LEO - NID :-)

@jemntertainment

3 жыл бұрын

Yaaay! Fantastic Job for sure

L&E would be better described as a "tribute" band. The reproduce Chicago's recordings note for note,, beat for beat. Every member is a gifted musician. And....if l dare say so, as good as the original. Perhaps better because of recording technology.

John, Thanks for doing the Best of the Best!!!! Please Do Marc Martel = Queen, He's a Clone of Freddie Mercury!!! Please!!

I’m sorry, I’m only allowed to hit the Like 👍 symbol once

FYI they are Russian and speak very little English.... just goes to show you music is a great ambassador 👍🏼

@jemntertainment

3 жыл бұрын

absolutely, and well said

May God Bless Ukraine

The lead guitar player left the band, and the lead singer is stuck in Ukraine. Replaced by 2 new singers

@lindabergman3127

8 ай бұрын

And they’re Still Fabulous ❤saw them last month in Kansas City 👏👏👏

Foxes and Fossils aren't even in this bands zip code never mind neighborhood..

It's 25 or 6 to 4...not 24

@jemntertainment

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@user-ze5ji7es6z

Жыл бұрын

It's without 25 or 6 (26) 4. It's about time.

He keeps mispronouncing Leonid !....(Leo-Nid)

And they can't speak English.

@afanasyisidorelly5775

2 ай бұрын

Зачем им говорить по-английски?Вы же не говорите по-русски...

@andmour1

2 ай бұрын

They don't have too, it just makes it that more amazing. Like if I were to sing Russian songs and can't speak the language.

They are better than Chicago, no doubt.