@@anthonywhiteman4488 1q😊Jimi was the most humble miusition of are time for sure. And being the best guitarist so far was just in training it could berry well be that houlisinagenic drugs have a way of not only humbling one self but remind us that there is always something that is and will always be more tan us better than I stronger than I even more than u,them,us ,even more than "Jesus,"always!😮
I absolutely agree. It’s seamlessly perfect for the song, memorable to anyone coming of age then, to pump ‘em up! Deserves being called-legendary. So many guitarists overplay solos and lose the essence. Clapton’s weeping, evocative solo on Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was also perfect for that song, but now, guitarists add too many notes, pyrotechnics. One must listen carefully, but Terry’s guitar work at the Fillmore (same weekend as Woodstock) shows why he’s regarded so highly.
Terry was the heart an' soul of Chicago. He gave their songs life, even an edge. When he tragically passed the band just became a mere elevator music entity. Rest in peace, Terry Kath. 🙏
I was living in Long Beach CA when Terry tragically and I believe ACCIDENTALLY shot himself...I remember hearing the news on the radio just a couple of days after my 21st birthday.. im 66 and grew up listening to Chicago...truly a very underrated guitar player and amazing vocalist.
Chicago was Never the same after Terry's death. He was one of the greatest guitarists Ever ! I was a big fan as I play Sax and Guitar. Last Chicago concert I went to was at the Aladin in Vegas only about 3 months before he died. Took alot of pictures, back then you could walk right up to the stage and take photographs. ! I miss him ! I never saw Chicago in concert again.
Terry Kath is someone I remember as a young female musician who came came from a musical family. I was 12 in Wisconsin when I found out he died. I sat outside of school and cried. I remember his birthday was close to mine. I used to play my organ at home to Color My World and sing along. January 18th was my birthday and my sleepover was dedicated to Terry and Chicago. All songs we danced to were in remembrance of Terry. My father was a musician and he cried when he saw my friends and I dancing to Chicago. Terry will always be remembered and loved for his beautiful voice and beautiful guitar. 😢
The only thing I can add is that when I was in the LA area about 8 years ago, I went to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale and found Terry's gravesite. I'm not normally a cemetery-goer, but Terry was such a huge part of my life as a teenage musician in the 70's that I had to go. The cemetery wouldn't give out the location of his grave so I had to piece it together from varius sources on the internet. I was sad to see that the plaque that you show on the video was almost totally covered with dead grass. i cleaned the plaque and left a guitar pick. it seemed more appropriate than a flower. While at the site, I called my oldest and dearest friend, who is also a huge Terry fan, and we had a moment of rememberence for Terry. Terry is buried next to his parents, Ray and Evelyn Kath. Ray had a second wife, who was shown on Michelle's documentary, but he was buried with his first wife and his son. People who know guitar know what a talent Terry was. Chicago was never the same.
The most underrated electric guitarist in history, and the man responsible for maybe the greatest solo in music history - the album/studio cut of 25 or 6 to 4. And the live version at Tanglewood may be even better. If the sound quality was better it probably would be. I saw Chicago live in Vancouver in the early 70s as a kid but I was much too young to appreciate Terry's talent. That came later when I became involved in the music business. I saw his daughter's documentary and the search for his lost Tele. Yes, it was fantastic. I don't think there's any doubt Terry was careless with guns. Let's be brutally honest, stupidity killed Terry. Just an absolute, senseless tragedy.
@@johnwilliams1223 The account says that he wasn't playing Russian Roulette. He made a mistake through carelessness, which we as humans often do, be it with guns, a plate or two of food or driving while looking at cell phones. Death by misadventure is sadly very common. But I chose to celebrate Terry's life because his "Memories of Love" "Make Me Smile."
The documentary Michelle Kath produced is a must-see. I got chills and even shed a tear or two when this older couple produced a beat up guitar case which had Terry's fabled "sticker" Tele in it!!
I saw him play a homage to Jimi Hendrix at the Hollywood Bowl that was one of the greatest solos ever. 50 plus years later I am still moved by that experience.
As posted in response to another comment, Terry Kath was well respected amongst all musicians. He wasn't forgotten. Maybe a pop audience fails to know about him, but musicians do.
I grew up listening to Chicago and have all of their early albums, beginning with Chicago Transit Authority. I’ve seen them in concert several times. Terry Kath laid down some of the most amazing guitar work ever recorded as well as memorable vocal work. As others have said, the group just wasn’t the same without Terry.
Terry Kath was a giant;A true genius.He wanted to leave Chicago before he died.he probably would have started a blues band without horns.His daughter Michelle wanted to find that 61 Telecaster which was lost since Terry died.She finally tracked it down in a closet In her Grandmother’s house and hopefully it will be displayed so fans can see it somewhere.Terry and Jimi Hendrix were the guitarists who’s deaths marred my younger years.I will never have enough of their music or their history to satisfy me.
My all time favorite guitarist. Being from Chicago I have heard a lot of their music. Michelle did a very good job on her documentary. I was told by a certain person that if he wouldn't have died him and Jimi Hendrix were planning to make an album together. Imagine that... Terry Kath in Chicago is part of the soundtrack of my life.
I like to listen to the progression of albums he waa on. The music was very tight from the beginning, it only got better as time progressed. Jimi Hendrix loved their tight arrangements and told Terry that he woukd love to do something with him. Jimi has stated what an excellent guitarist he was its something when Jimi is in awe of your musical talents. That speaks volumes as to Terry's abilities from the very beginning
Terry was truly forgotten by so many. He was always left off top 100 lists till recently people have started to awaken to his phenomenal guitar playing. Due in large part to that outstanding documentary by his daughter. A must see if you haven't already. Thought his solo on Make Me Smile was his finest and their live concert in 1971 at Tanglewood here on yt is Chicago at their finest!!
Takin it uptown still gives me chills with his guitar licks and growling vocal. The Chicago touring today is a pale imitation. I guess it’s fine for the casual fans who just want to hear their hits, but the fact remains that they never found a suitable long lasting replacement for Terry. Keith Howland was probably the closest fill in.
River Docs: A couple of minor corrections; It was just Walt, Jimmy, Lee, and Robert that had any type of "formal" musical education. With the exception of Walt, none of the other 3 finished out their respective degrees, though Walt's degree was in English, albeit he was nonetheless being "groomed" to play for the Chicago Symphony. Peter, Danny, and Terry were all self-taught. (Just as much of Terry's awesome guitar playing was "overshadowed" by the horns of Chicago, much of Peter's equally awesome bass playing was "overshadowed" by his unique voice! The late-great Buddy Rich (he also being self-taught) spoke highly of the drumming talents of Danny!!) On a different note, my understanding is that Terry never formally married Michelle's (his daughter's) mom (Camellia), which presented some legal issues post Terry's untimely and tragic death. (If anyone out there has more info on that, I'd be open to being corrected, and or further educated). I was a hard-core Terry/Chicago fan from the "Beginnings", having grown up in L.A. from age '64-'74 (age 10 to 20), and my "Introduction" to them was via my Best Friend during my High School days, and whom I'm thankful to say (55+ years later) is still one of the 2 Best Friends I have in this world. ("Thanks", Frank, for introducing me to one of the finest bands (and guitarist!!) in the world!!.. I shall be forever grateful!!)
If Teerry Kath and Peter Cetera would have formed there own band and moved on, splitting vocal duties, It would have been an untouchable group ! adding Danny Serafin as well
CHICAGO didn't want TERRY GOING ANYWHERE,he was the drive,that kept them straight ahead,his guitar was phenomenal,but his vocals carried the band,we who play, know exactly who TERRY was,the world got ripped off when he perished,damn sad RIP six stringer
I fell in love with Chicago and specifically Trry Kath the first time I heard "Make Me Smile". His voice, his guitar playing... He influenced my guitar playing as much, if not more than anyone. When he died, I think he took the soul of the band with him.
Kath's guitar in "I'm a man" is just plain nasty. Gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. I actually got to see them in 75 with Kath still in the lineup. Such an impressive show.
Thank you for this video. I can only echo what so many others in this comment section have written, Terry Kath was completely underrated-he was also one of the best guitarists I have ever heard. His name needs to be uttered during any discussion of the best of the best.
One of my favorite Chicago songs with Terry Kath on lead vocals is Wishing You Were Here, which also featured The Beach Boys on lead vocals. It also seems to me that Terry was uncomfortable with his fame and fortune and that was probably why he considered leaving Chicago, though Terry Kath and Peter Cetera being addicted to cocaine didn't help.
Terry’s solo album and possible career, stepping away from Chicago, is something the world will always be deprived of. He had so much more in him than what we got to hear with the group. And I don’t believe he was suicidal at all with his wife Camelia and daughter Michelle giving him so much to live for. Check out his song Jenny to his dog on Chicago VI.
Musicians know who the good players are. That 1st 10 year period of Chicago, was amazing. All you have to do is whatch and listen to the performances. I think Terry would be happy to know he's held in High regard by his fellow musicians.
The fact that he was self taught and the rest of the band were trained was what made Chicago special. After his death their training allowed them to make plenty of boring,sappy,music without his wild edge.
Jimi Hendrix thought that Terry was a better guitar player than himself. Mind-boggling talent. Way ahead of his time. This was a well made, quick and enjoyable mini-doc. Good job. Thank you.
I saw a clip by Jimmy Hendrix where he stated that Terry Kath was the best guitarist he had seen. That is not too shabby and I think he is one of the greatest players of all time.
I have to agree with the comments that Kath was the heart & soul of Chicago. In my mind, Chicago was never the same band musically after Terry's death. I also really liked his guitar playing on I'm a Man! RIP
he is my favourite guitarist. i like Chicago. i got early chicago albums. there is a documentary on youtube about terry. his daughter found that stickers guitar. Chicago never sounded the same after terry died.
How sad, it’s amazing when you listen to him play around those horns.. he was a great talent. An amazing guitarist . Whenever my grand children talk about great guitarists. I always have to bring up Terry’s name.
Chicago changed from a Rock/Blues band to essentially a Soft Rock/Adult Contemporary band when Terry Kath passd away. To me, the fina nail came when Peter Cetera left the band - essentially leaving them as more of a Chicago Tribute band. Terry Kath was the heart and soul of the original Chicago.
Terry was the absolute heart, soul and leader of that band. Ironically, most of his compositions didn't feature the horns, and also happen to be some of my favorites. I saw him several times in Philly at the old Spectrum....one particular time I was 6 rows from the stage directly in front of him. Being a guitar player, I was mesmerized by his playing and watched him pretty much the entire show. I even got a smile out of him when he saw me focus my binoculars on what he was playing. A tragic, senseless end to a superior multi talented artist. When he died, so did Chicago.
I don't believe the band covered up his talent at all. At the outset, the entire band was full of intense energy, and musically, they had a lot to say. And Terrys hard driving edge was very much at the front of the bands efforts, both on stage and in the studio. By the sixth album, the band admittedly said they were all feeling less intense about long soloing pieces, though they kept their creativity, and turned a bit more main stream pop. Terry continued to deliver steaming guitar work thru to the bands final album with him. It's no secret he was partying hard (and long) so much, that the band tried to stage an intervention because they feared for his condition. As chemical abuse goes, the way up can be invigorating, however the down slope takes you to a dark place. He ended up serving too many masters and the world lost a tremendous talent when he passed. People say he was under rated, I don't believe that at all. The band, along with Terry, were purposely snubbed by the critics, not all, but many. Millions upon millions of Chicago fans know exactly who Terry Kath is, and was.
Terry was not overlooked or underrated as some comments suggest.He was greatly appreciated by his band members and other musicians who heard his playing ,everybody spoke highly of him.Don’t know why people say he was underrated,he is known as one of the greatest guitarist of all time.
Very tragic end to his life, totally preventable. It’s important to talk about his death and raise awareness of the dangers of being careless with guns. It sounds obvious but the statistics show a large number of gun deaths are accidental. Yes, he was a great guitar player, singer and writer and had so much more to offer. I enjoyed that era of live music because many bands and Chicago had a very polished tight sound but looked like just regular people. No glam or gimmicks.
One thing you have to remember is that, in the beginning, Terry was the DeFacto leader of this band. It's always been acknowledged that he was the best soloist so I don't think his talent was hidden. You also have to remember that these were REAL musicians in this band and it was STACKED with talent. This is why the produced so many records. They were loaded!
Being a Chicagoan and a musician, I will always remember Terry, back in the day, I did a pretty good rendition of "I AM A MAN", may he R.I.P. a great guitarist in his own right!!!!!!!
Awesome, Samson! "I'm A Man" was a great tune to sort of rip into if you were playing in a band! Did you handle the guitar part, vocals, or some of each?
Hi River Docs ~ this is a very sweet thing you've done for Terry Kath. I loved the songs that he sang ~ he really touched my heart ~ and he was gorgeous sexy ta boot ~ I, just like the rest of us, was stunned and hurt hugely that day..... Thank you for letting me know about his daughter's documentary, thank you so much for the great way you seem to keep us together ~ the music will never die 🕊🤍🕯🎶💜💞
I saw CTA open for the Jimi Hendrix Experience and I do not think anyone covered up Terry Kath. He was awesome! I wish he never touched a gun. My best friend did the same thing in 1984.
He was way ahead of his time.his solos in particular were just very different from most other players.he incorporatedmany different styles and could piece them together and make it all work.. just awesome he was and maybe never really got the recognition he deserved.
I think it's the Tanglewood concert is probably some of the best guitar playing I've ever seen. One band member said "What did that guitar do to you, Terry?" Jimi Hendrix was making noise that he wanted to blend his band into Chicago since he really respected them.
RE: Gun Incident--I did the exact same type of negligent discharge with my .45. I heard a bump in the night--loaded the automatic and after all was clear I racked the bolt to eject the round--thought the chamber was clear and I pointed the muzzle downward, pulled trigger to drop the hammer, and shot my bedroom floor. I understand how this could have happened because I did it too! Terry was so special, that's most important of all and your video upholds what really matters! Thanks and Cheers, JP
I saw a documentary on Chicago and I don't think the band tried to sweep his death under the rug or minimize its impact. They were devastated over the death of the their friend and based on the emotional reaction they still had years later when they talked about him you can see the level of trauma it caused. They made a decision to move forward because that was how they made their living. But they all acknowledged how talented he was. One of the members talked about a conversation he had with Jimi Hendrix when the band was just starting to make a name for themselves and he told them they would learn that being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be and that they would one day eclipse him because the band was so talented and they had a guitar player who was better than him. That's pretty high praise. I was fortunate enough to see Chicago twice when Terry was still with them. He did a lead solo on Questions 67 and 68 during one of those performance's that was as good or better than any I have ever seen, period, and I've seen some pretty well-known guitarists over the years. I think he doesn't get mentioned because Chicago was known more for the horn section. But guys who played know how phenomenal he was. Such a tragic loss. The man is right, guns don't mix well with alcohol and cocaine. But how do you protect someone from themselves? RIP Terry. You were one of the all-time greats and I feel blessed because I was able to see you practice your craft live. Thanks for the music and the memories.
His daughter’s documentary is fabulous. His epic Tanglewood concert of 1970 is a fabulous tour de force of Terry’s genius. Give it a watch. Enjoy your work very much so thanks for posting this.
The only thing that I didn't absolutely love about his daughter's documentary was that she and her mother seemed to be in denial about his death to this day, like it was some freak accident. While I know that he accidentally shot himself he had a history of playing with guns and pretending to shoot himself. Someone who is putting a gun to their own head and squeezing the trigger isn't joking around, that's a cry for help.
Terry and the rest of the band created the soundtrack of my life. I saw Terry and the band at The Blossom Music Center and at The Clevelend Municipal Stadium with The Beach Boys.
I think it’s great you put Randy before Eddie,I believe Randy would have blown Eddie away,if Randy didn’t die so young. Terry is certainly in the top 3 of all time. Also,a shout out to Mr. Roy Clark. Just opinion.
I was fortunate enough to see The Chicago Transit Authority c.1971 in Portland Oregon. I was accustomed to getting live shows where musicians were stoned and crushingly depressing to listen to. Chicago came out tight, crisp and shockingly just as good as their 2 LPs. Some 50 plus years later I still grateful to see and hear their magnificent sound. And of course Kath could shake the marrow right out of your bones! Thanks so much for this presentation.
you can really thank Danny Seraphine for having the band be that way on stage. Danny, although not thought of as being a founding member (and he was), tried his best to keep the band on the tracks.
Absolutely RIP Terry Kath! I have seen a few docs about Kath and Chicago. One in particular made mention of a tour where Chicago opened for Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix was very impressed with Kath and was quoted as saying Kath was "a better guitar player than me". There was talk of them doing some recording together, but Kath's passing ended any of that happening. I don't know, perhaps that was what Kath was working on when he died. His death was proof of the old saying "alcohol and gun powder don't mix"! Another good one RD! Thanks for this Brother!
Thank you for this mini documentary and thank you for letting us know about the Terry Kath Experience. I agree with you, he was careless to begin with, and when you mix cocaine and alcohol, you're practically asking for tragedy. Shooting off a round at a concert is to say the least, really dangerous (if not totally irresponsible). It's sad because the guy was a great musician (and very loving to his family) but it sounds his personal life was very problematic. When you add up alcoholism, cocaine addiction and reckless use of a firearm repeatedly, I don't see how his life could have ended up any other way. Whatever happened with Carl Wilson, I think Carl was right to call him out. You don't pull out guns and acting carelessly at a party. It's a miracle he never killed anyone accidentally. It is sad when someone so well loved takes his life for granted. I believe he was a loving husband and father.
most certainly one of the greatest guitarist/musicians of all time, his loss like Hendrix, Stevie ray, always sad because of all the music that never got made, but so thankful for what they left behind
Terry reminds me of my dad, even the way he looks. My dad’s favorite band was Chicago and I got to take my kids to see them last week in memory of my dad. His funeral song was color my world and they played it in concert. Love you Dad ❤ terry kath was amazing and missed just like my dad
I know that this is a very late response. I’ve been reading through the many replies from others. I’m so thankful that people still think of Terry the way you folks do. I was two years behind Terry in elementary school and high school. (Back then there was no middle school and junior high schools were just starting in Chicago. So, our elementary school was K-8.) I was not a close friend of his, but I did know him. I can tell you, from having watched him close-up for several years, that there was something definitely unique about Terry. He had an aura that kind of defys description. Perhaps “living on the edge” comes closest? When we would have the same lunch period he always had an acoustic guitar with him. And I would try to sit a couple tables away from him and just listen. He hung around with his two closest friends, a brother and sister who became a part of Chicago as well. The brother ended up being their road manager(?), and I believe his sister ended up marrying one of the horn(?) section players. I’ll just wrap this up, by saying from my own experience, Terry was the SOUL of the group. People just knew that instinctively. He was a natural born leader. He was an Alpha guy, the driving force behind the group. Several of the other guys may have been classically trained, but Terry brought that raw untamed energy that drove everyone else to unbelievable heights!
My favorite guitarist of all time. Such a tragedy. I first started listening to Chicago because of the horns. But it wasn't long before I took to enjoying Terry's playing. And it just grew on something amazing. He was the best. RIP Terry. We hardly knew you.
I was a teen when Chicago was big and I knew full well Terry Cath was pretty much the centre of the band.Being a guitarist myself I knew these things.Terry was a monster on guitar,a very strong rythym player and his lead guitar solos were musical showcases.Just listen to 25 or 624 and you'll know what I mean. He was a guitar schizophrenic in that he would blast a Strat through his amps one song and then do the same with a Gibson.He went through an SG,a Strat,aTele,a Les Paul,even a Firebird and who knows what else. An all around musician who made an enormous body of work and yet it's such a shame hardly anyone knows his name! Terry was Chicago!
I love the beginning of old days he kills it he is one of my fav gutiarists I'm only 38 but I love and know my music and talent and he and jimi are the best both jimis rock on peace out my brother and sisters
Terry was the heart and soul of Chicago. He inspired me as a guitarist heavily beginning with the 1st album. When Terry died, I lost interest in the band. His death was such a tragic stupid incident. I don’t know if it was suicide or an accident. I happened to get the opportunity to meet Danny Seraphine, the drummer one night, and I asked him what really happened with Terrys death, but he didn’t want to say.
Terry made Chicago very appealing to me with that "hang on & enjoy the ride" guitar work. He actually laid down the canvas for the horns & everything else Chicago brought to us! Thank you
