Lead Singer of '70s Rock Band, Once Banned From Disneyland, Turns 70
Neil Donell, the frontman behind the legendary rock group Chicago, marks a major personal milestone as he turns 70.
Born on May 23, 1956, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, his early career revolved around music, from joining rock bands in high school to starting his professional career as a singer.
For three decades, he was known in Canada as "the man of a thousand voices" and was the go-to person for commercial jingles, television themes and voice-overs.
As the music icon celebrates his 70th birthday, here's a look back at the career-defining moments he experienced, including the infamous incident that led to his band being barred from one of America's most famous theme parks.
Donell had been covering songs by Chicago with his high school rock band before having a full-circle moment years later when he received a call in 2017 to perform with them.
At the time, the band members listened to his demo CDs on their tour bus in Ontario and were blown away by his striking vocal prowess.
After officially joining the band in 2018 as Chicago's lead singer, replacing Jeff Coffey following his departure, he not only became the first-ever Canadian member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group but also brought a powerful and distinctive vocal style that helped carry on Chicago's signature sound for a new era.
However, he admitted that he had to deal with major adjustments, particularly with the band's demanding number of shows per year.
"That's a bit of an adjustment, mostly with the travel," he told 519 Magazine. " A lot of the time, you have a pretty lengthy tour bus ride after the show and you might not get into the hotel before 8:00 in the morning, but playing this iconic catalog of songs is a thrill every night. The band still sells out, it's a lot of fun. I guess you could say the fun quotient in my life has skyrocketed."
Amid the changes, Donell's arrival further solidified Chicago's place in music history despite the band already being famous.
From receiving the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 to reaching another Billboard milestone after being named the highest-charting American band in the Top 125 Artists of All Time ranking.
However, despite the fame and success of the group, Chicago experienced a major setback long before Donell's arrival.
Did You Know? Chicago Was Banned from Disneyland
In 1969, Chicago, then known as the Chicago Transit Authority, was booked to perform at Disneyland.
However, their signature loud horn-driven rock sound reportedly clashed with the park's family-friendly atmosphere, causing park officials to cut their set short and temporarily ban them from the theme park.
Related: '70s Actor, Famously Married His Co-Star, Turns 88
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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 8:30 AM.