Chip Degaard

Chip plays keyboard and sings backup vocals for The Planotones. Chip was born and grew up in Chicago. His diverse musical influences range from the strong Blues, Rand B and Boogie Woogie sounds from the city to the classical music which his father played professionally in the metropolitan area.

He has played with Little Anthony, The Drifters, The Coasters, Sam the Sham, Lou Christie, the Platters, Fabian, Tommy Roe, and the Shirelles, to name a few. He has also appeared with such diverse acts as the Maynard Ferguson and Stan Kenton Big Bands, Elvis Costello, and Little Richard. Chip is also a prolific songwriter, having written over 100 songs including writing and recording the musical “Songs from the Island”, on which he sang all parts and played all the instruments.

Aside from playing, writing and performing, Chip is the president of the Chip Dee Academy of Music, specializing in all aspects of music “from instruction to production.” Through the last several years, Chip has been proud to be a part of the Planotones, and to have the opportunity to perform regularly with a group of some of the most versatile and talented singers and musicians in the business.