Yesterday, January 23rd 2018, was the 40th anniversary of Terry Kath’s death. I pay tribute to one of the greatest musicians that the world forgot about.

On seemingly routine night playing at a popular West Hollywood nightclub in 1968, an admirable man approached Chicago’s saxophonist, Walt Parazadier, to say something that changed the fortunes of the band forever. All the man ever said was:

"Jeez, your horn players are like one set of lungs and your guitar player is better than me."

That man was none other than Jimi Hendrix, who later invited the band to tour with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Janis Joplin. 

But Hendrix’s comments on Chicago and Terry Kath had been thrown into the valley of inauthenticity. As both Kath and Hendrix met their untimely deaths relatively early on in their lives (31 and 27), fans of music argue about what Hendrix actually meant by those words. Some thought that Hendrix passed an empty compliment, while others (like me), thought that Hendrix truly meant what he said.

Here's a 2 hour Spotify playlist of Terry Kath's greatest songs

Whichever way you might interpret Hendrix’s words, one thing was for sure - Terry Kath was simply sublime - not only as a guitarist, but as a complete musician. Kath famously wrote, arranged and sang a lot of Chicago’s early songs - guiding the band in successfully blending the fluidity, attitude and presence of jazz music, with the powerful, attractive and gritty sounds of rock and roll music. 

Uma and Ezra talk Chicago V, by Chicago, on (Untitled)

A great introduction to the Terry Kath era of Chicago, is the aptly named “Introduction” - the first song off their first record. It shook the music industry, becoming an example of the newly established jazz-rock genre. The six-minute belter weaves through many different musical genres and styles without breaking the composition - allowing each member of the band to show off their immense talent.

Terry Kath putting on a show, playing a live favourite "25 or 6 to 4"

Despite the first album’s successes, the band’s claim to fame is an unmistakably rock and roll song called “25 or 6 to 4”. The combination of Kath’s distinctive guitar tones with Peter Cetera’s familiar vocals made it an instant Top 40 hit. It eventually became a live favourite as Kath would reinterpret his own solo at every show - making no two performances like each other. 

But Kath could also sing soulfully while he played his clinical rhythms and precise solos. In the song “Takin’ It On Uptown”, he delivers a funk-inspired lead vocal performance, whilst alternating back and forth from playing fast rhythms and wailing guitar solos - something that many musicians admired Kath for being able to do. 

Sadly, as the years wore on, Kath’s magic began to fade. Despite the successes in and outside the band, he became increasingly unhappy and constantly struggled with addiction. He didn’t write or sing as much as he used to, and in the songs that he did, it felt like it came from a deeper, darker and more mellow place in his mind.

Slowly, the inspired influences of Terry Kath began to filter past the band’s later records - giving way to the softer and unmistakably cheesy Chicago that most people know them for. And it was only until his death that people began to realise his significant influence - even in his darkest days. 

In a way, it’s sad to think about what could have been of Chicago, had Kath not accidentally shot himself. What sort of musical direction would they have gone? Would he have become the successful solo act that he planned to become prior to his death? These are unanswerable questions, but I feel that the music he’s written in eleven albums with Chicago, is enough and fitting for the legend of Terry Kath. Like Billy Joel used to sing - only the good die young.