The fact that they can sound this good while realizing that English is not their first language BLOWS MY MIND!!!!!

Sergey Kashirin is the FIRST guy I've ever seen who channels Terry Kath's spirit on the solo...I've heard many guitarists attempt it and utterly fail, but it's like Terry took over Sergey's hands for the solo, and I've heard a LOT of attempts. The whole band is amazing, probably one of my all-time favorite bands ever!

You close your eyes and put your head back you think you’re listening to Terry Kath on that guitar solo. That young man is on point by the note.

They Nailed that song,I am 83 years old.This song was big during my time as a younger man.

The lead guitar player is out of this world...mimics Terry Kath's solo work so well. Not an easy task to accomplish.

Leonid listens to the song AND freakin' writes out the score for each part! Hokey smokes!

Serge's vocals. Sergey's guitar tribute to the late Terry Kath. Igor's flawless percussion. And Leonid's brilliant note for note reconstruction and scoring of the original recirding in minute detail. No wonder original Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine heard them and shouted their praises from the rooftops.

Unfucking believable…every song they cover is magic.

Any direction you go with Leonid and Friends...you won't be disappointed. And if you know the song, you'll be stunned at how spot on, they are.

Watch their cover of “I’m a man & Fantasy”. This band makes me happy, period.

I came up on them a couple of months ago and could not believe what I was hearing. They are fantastic! Read up on them and the band Chicago commented that they were better than us! What's interesting is most of the guys are from Russia. The singer with the beard is from Ukraine and one is from Belarus. I hope they are all okay especially the guy in Ukraine. Longtime friends before the war started.

Thing that is amazing is that this was not only early on when Leonid decided to do Chicago covets, since they are in Russia, they could not get the official sheet music. Leonid is a retired professional Russian musician genius. He wrote all the music by ear. Most of this band is from Russia.

Saw L & F at House of Blues in New Orleans. Simply amazing group. Their Earth Wind & Fire covers are great too.

Yes, what you said. I've been a CHICAGO (Transit Authority was on the LP album cover that my sister bought for me) fan since the beginning. Leonid and Friend's version is the best and I have listened to it since I first discovered the band.

they did several covers and all were outstanding

Hey man...interesting tid bit. Leonid was just selected to be a voting member of the Grammys. These guys are world ambassadors of peace through music. Ksenia, who is not in this video, is a superstar in Russia and China and is a superstar in her own right on the level of Whitney Houston. She has millions of fans as a solo artist.

after the love is gone and one fine morning by Leonid and friends is mind blowing

Saw them two weeks ago. I love this fkg band. There's always a lot of musicians in their audiences. Much respect. L&F.

Best tribute band ever!

Sergei Kashirin on guitar wow and Serge on vocals close PC. They are incredible. Thx Leonid ans friends.

The happiest band on KZfaq.

Listen to their version of " Beginnings " & " call on me " they're absolutely phenomenal.

Lee-yo-nid! They are the greatest tribute band on earth. They also do EWF , ( check out In the Stone) Blood Sweat and Tears and Steely Dan. They are from Russia and Ukraine. They’re the tops! Leonid is on bass snd does all the transcription by ear and sound production. Genius. The Peter Cetera guy is Sergei who is now fighting in the Ukraine 🥲They hardly speak English!

They "Make Me Smile" !!!

Currently on tour (june 23) in Eastern U.S. West coast in the fall. They are a "Must See" and tix are usually pretty reasonable!

Hey, I enjoyed your reaction to this tribute to Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4. I hope you would also react to this same group (Leonid and Friends) tribute to Chicago's "Wishing You Were Here" - thank you.

Exactly: "How could anybody NOT like this?"

Leonid and friends Cover of Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 sounds really amazing john from the trumpets to the guitars vocals everything sounds just simply incredible these guys did a really good job take care John 👍👍🆒🆒

Funny story: so, I found these guys years ago, and I was totally amazed. I shared several videos with my father. So dad turned 75 yesterday and we celebrated his birthday today. I went to my parents' house, and dad was sitting out back on the patio, playing music on his ipad. He was telling me about how he is currently obsessed with this one song, and that reminded me of Leonid and Friends, so I mentioned how they're currently touring. Well, it turns out that the song he was playing was by Leonid and Friends. I think we'll probably go and see them in September when they're in our area.

I REALLY LOVE LEONID AND FRIENDS OF CHICAGOS SONG HAPPY MAN!!!

Best music from the 70s!! Leonid & friends❤

Hi first time seeing your channel we just saw these guys 2 weeks ago live and it was one of the best shows we have seen if you ever get a chance to see them live GO!!!!!!

Also watch them do Fantasy by Earth Wind and Fire ! Mind blower and the female singer Kesonia is awesome in her own respect. Watch her solo on her song One Last Cry.

Seen them twice in San Diego. Unreal!!!

Found your channel because of this reaction 🙂 Maybe it's time you go back and react to some more Leonid and Friends! You pick another Chicago song you're familiar with, or may I suggest their cover of Vehicle by The Ides of March.. Horns are KILLIN' it on that one!

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!

They work hard to play the songs the way they were recorded because that's what we generally know. The original bands don't even play it true to the original recording, that's also what makes L&F so spectacular.

Brother you need to see these guys live, its amazing. Unfortunately the original band is missing a couple of members but they are still Amazing with the new added members. Leonid is a master at picking the right people. I see them every time they come to the U.S.

Finally got to see n hear them at their Kansas City Concert last nite and it’s even better than their videos ❤we were on our feet singing n dancing to this n many others🔥wonderful singers and musicians!! Can’t wait to see them again 🥰their vocals were unreal after all their touring😮 couldn’t believe my ears n eyes

They came out with a cover of My Old School not too long ago that is sick. This cover is sick but My Old School may be sicker. 😅

I have been following these guys for years!! Great Job they do with Chicago Songs Especially!, although they Rock Out just as well on All other Songs, and Artists they Cover!!! Spot On!!! The Brass, and everything with that Fat, Rich, Stereo Clarity, with Dynamics type Music they have going on is worth Listening to.

I listen to their music everyday

I had the pleasure of seeing them live with my son in Birmingham, AL. Just fantastic... they sound as good live.

You should go to one of their US concerts, if you haven't already.

Check out their version of feeling stronger. Amazing.

I’ve been following them for about the last three or four years & am dumbfounded every time there’s a new release. They are so on point that if you close your eyes, it’ll be hard to tell if it was the original or if it is them.

Dude - you are in for some amazing covers. Glad you found them!

I am 73 . My #1Favorite group has always been CHICAGO... Every sound every note, voices,absolutely my #1-Until Leonid and Friends. They are now my favorite, Thank you LEONID

I have listening for 2 years and they're on point better than Chicago but we LOVE the guys back then and they way forward is groups like playing and singing how they love! They had a US tour, I wish I known to plan for it. I saw Peter do a Toledo gig with Toledo Snyth how!

Love early Chicago when Terry Kath was still alive and the brass section was pumping out hard, bluesy, rockers, and no one covers their music as well as Leonid & Friends -> thanks to the stellar recording work, you could even argue the clarity of the covers sound even better than some of the originals. Cetera was a great and distinct singer but Serge Tiagnyriadno, to my ears, is even better -- he soars to the top of his range easily when Cetera sometimes struggled -- you could hear some strain. Tiagnyriadno is the only Ukranian in the band of players who are otherwise from Russia, most in and around Moscow, and the war has cut him off from the band -- I hope he is in a place of safety. Leonid Vorobyev, who plays the base and transposes all the musical parts by ear for each instrument, is the band's leader. The drummer, Igor Javad-Zade, is so good that he and Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine have done a video or two together. The brass section is amazing (I play trombone so I know a strong brass section when I hear it), and while a core of musicians has been in the group from the start, there have been some replacements and additions along the way. Kudos to Leonid Vorobyev for making sure the quality remains outstanding even as the band member change. They are most impressive when they play demanding music that requires extreme talent; in addition to early Chicago, one of their standouts is Steely Dan's My Old School: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hsVolL2LnsrDdXU.html

please check out Leonid & Friends cover of Steely Dans My Old School. Also Earth Wind and Fire cover. Check one of their concerts out on their fall USA Tour. Amazing.

The late 60's song "Vehicle - Ides of March" is a spectacular cover too. It shows how really good their horn section is.

Been enjoying these guys for a few years....ENJOY!

All of their Chicago covers are absolute 🔥. Their musicians are phenomenal. Throw in that they also have the most gorgeous backup singer ever (you'll see her on some other songs) makes them a must watch.

I know it's been 5 months since this response, but I'd highly recommend Leonid and Friend's cover of Earth Wind and Fire's "Fantasy". Also EW&F's "September." I'm also a huge Leonid fan of their Chicago and Steely Dan covers. Everything they do is spot on to the record, or better.

They Do some Really, really good Earth , Wind and Fire Covers as well. Ides of March, Vehicle is excellent. Worth a listen.

The look on your face when he opened his mouth, says it all. BANGER MY FRIEND !!!!

This is beautiful.!

I recently came across Leonid and Friends on my FB feed doing an EWF tune. I was so blown away I looked them up on KZfaq and have been going thru many of their videos. I am so impressed I had to show my husband. I am totally in awe.

Watched all the songs. Best cover band of all time. They are also doing originals as well

I appreciate your reaction. Please also react to their version of Chicago's "Old Days"

Just sooo good. Unbelievable really

This is exactly the same reaction to Leonid and friends when I first came across them years ago, except I didn't have a camera in front of me, so this was all happening in my head. I realize this video was uploaded many months ago, but these guys also do some crazy good Earth, Wind, and Fire covers.

The only difference between this rendition and the original, is the outstanding recording quality. It's hard to do a cover tune justice. It's even harder to make it your own, while keeping the integrity of the original song!! It's legendary, when you can take a bunch of talented artists such as these, and make a "spot-on" cover of a 50 year old song, that by my accounts, sounds like a mirror image of Chicago. I dare any one reading my comment, to close their eyes, lean back in your chair, and tell me you can differentiate between this and the original.

They nail everything they do!!!

One of the very best cover groups in the world for classic American rock and the fact they're all from Russia makes it even more astounding. Contrast this group and of course, the songs they've covered with the absolute (C)rap that has been shoved down Americans' listeners ears for the last 4 decades, and it goes to show how pathetic the American music scene is now...oh, the irony!

Try their cover of Steely Dans "My Old School" if you want to see more amazing guitar work---AMAZING !!!

Kath was the WAH-WAH KING!

You need to hear their cover of Free by Chicago.. it's another gem

Man, L&F have so many amazing covers! But do yourself a favor and check out their take on Deep Purple's "Stormbringer" next. If you enjoy a good rock-out, that is. ;)

I've seen them twice in concert and even had a chance to do the meet and greet after one of the shows. They are as amazing live as they are in studio. Anytime they're within 2-3 hrs of me I'll be sure to go see them again.

guitar lead was Sergey kashrin unfortunately left band to be with family. really like to see him resurface in USA.

Catch them on tour! I saw them last fall in San Jose- fantastic! They have so much joy and passion ! They also cover Earth Wind and Fire and Steely Dan! Lots of Chicago songs. In Russia they’re called Chicagovich. Leonid is the bass player , founder and producer. New sub!

I agree with all your comments

I have several older siblings. So I grew up on this stuff. Very very well done. Take care John. 😊😊😊😊😎🤘

I won't say that every L& F song is better than Chicago, but I will say that there are no Chicago originals that I like better than L & F's cover. You really should review a few more. It is surprising that they don't get more reactions considering how popular they are on KZfaq. One of my particular favorites is Colour my World, only because I really hated the original version. But what Leonid did with it turned that completely around. Another band you should consider listening to is Foxes & Fossils. They are another very popular cover band on KZfaq and have a very interesting story. They do some really nice covers of Crosby, Stills & Nash songs among other things.

Look for them in a town near you on the fall leg of their tour

Love your channel brother. Greetings from Southern California!!

This cover is so tight it fools most people.

Sergey K. is dynamite on LG. The horns gave me a horngasm.

You might like to react to Stely Dan's My old school by this band incredible.

This is an old one of theirs with a different horn section. They are remarkable and a favourite band. Guitarist Sergey no longer with the band and vocalist Serge left too, recording his parts from Kyiv. Try their latest line up doing EWF's Fantasy.

These guys are fantastic. I've been listening to them for a year now

Nailed it

That was really really good.

Great reaction!

They filmed it because no one would believe it wasn't Chicago unless they saw it. Period.

Leonid is the bass player. They have 3 different guys that sing lead, depending on the song/band being covered. Check these covers out: Chicago (again) - "Does Anybody Rally Know What Time It Is": kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fKhdobuCyJywfYk.html The Ides Of March - "Vehicle": kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nL5omsJ7qrDTnGw.html Chicago (original by the Spencer Davis Group) - "'I'm A Man": kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZtidgsplxJ7bdGQ.html Earth, Wind, And Fire - "September": kzfaq.info/get/bejne/epuIoLifvr2Ze6c.html

Check out this band doing the song “call on me“ by Chicago

Just saw them live on the last date of there fall tour. They are so entertaining live. They have 3 albums of covers. If you want to support the new kids on the block. Check out Billy Strings, maybe Dust In a Baggie.

Your reaction was the same as mine when I stumbled on Leonid. They just nail everything they do.

Their version of Happy Man by Chicago is a knock out

Their goal with their studio work is to be as faithful to the original recording as possible. They tour the States regularly (they're touring now). The members of the band change, but the soul is always there. You might also check out Questions 67 & 68 and Dialogue Parts I and II which are also incredibly good covers.

Very good rendition.

Leonid is playing the bass guitar

New sub❤ this band is fabulous! You gotta hear them play my old school by steely Dan😁it's phenomenal!

Leonid and friends can rock check out Stormbringer just one of many great songs they cover. Scott

Listen to them do Boogie Wonderland.

LEO-ned

"Leonid" is properly pronounced "Lay-o-need" (Russian pronunciation). He is the older man on bass.