Peter Cetera will skip Chicago’s Hall of Fame reunion

Despite a prediction to the contrary, Peter Cetera, the vocalist who fronted many hits by the band Chicago, will not participate in the group’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 8.

“He has made it clear twice now that he will not attend or perform,” Chicago said in a statement.

On his website, Cetera posted a note he had sent to the Hall stating that a particular scenario “doesn’t work for me. I know we all did our best to make it happen, but I guess it’s just not meant to be.”

That scenario was not revealed. An earlier post indicated Cetera had been negotiating with Chicago members about which past members would participate, which song they would perform and even the song’s key.

“Personally, I’m frustrated and tired of dealing with this and it’s time to move on,” he said in the latest note. “I have a life with two beautiful daughters and a solo career and its time to get back and give them all the full attention they deserve.”

Chicago’s announcement said original band members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, Jimmy Pankow and Walt Parazaider — all part of the current touring group — will participate in the induction, along with original drummer Danny Seraphine, who left in 1990.

Cetera, the current members and the Hall had tried to “reach a happy middle ground” to no avail, the band statement said.

In a December interview with Radio.com, Lamm had been optimistic that Cetera would play at the event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

“If there’s ever a time that we can share the stage again, this is it,” he said then. “I think it could have a huge emotional impact on the audience. And I think that that would be a very moving experience.”

Cetera sang lead vocals on hits including “25 or 6 to 4,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Baby, What a Big Surprise” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” before leaving Chicago in 1985.

Joining Chicago as new Hall of Fame members will be Cheap Trick, N.W.A., Steve Miller and Deep Purple.