View source for Terry Kath

{{Short description|American guitarist and singer (1946–1978)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Terry Kath
| image             = Terry_Kath.jpg
| alt               = Kath smiling
| caption           = Kath in 1969
| birth_name        = Terry Alan Kath
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1946|1|31}}
| birth_place       = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{death date and age|1978|1|23|1946|1|31}}
| death_place       = [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_cause       = 
| genre             = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[hard rock]], [[blues rock]], [[jazz rock]]
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
*Musician
*songwriter
}}
| instrument        = {{flatlist|
* Guitar
* vocals
}}
| years_active      = 1963–1978
| past_member_of    = [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]
| spouse            = {{marriage|Pamela Robinson|1970|1975|end=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|Camelia Ortiz|1976}}
| website           = {{URL|terrykath.com}}
}}

'''Terry Alan Kath''' (January 31, 1946&nbsp;– January 23, 1978) was an American guitarist and singer who is best known as a founding member of the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]. He played lead guitar and sang lead vocals on many of the band's early hit singles alongside [[Robert Lamm]] and [[Peter Cetera]]. He has been praised by his bandmates and other musicians for his guitar skills and his [[Ray Charles]]–influenced vocal style. [[Jimi Hendrix]] cited Terry Kath as one of his favorite guitarists, and considered Kath to be "the best guitarist in the universe."<ref name="gress">{{cite journal |last=Gress |first=Jesse |date=January 30, 2014 |title=Under Investigation: Terry Kath |url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1026/under-investigation-terry-kath/23659 |url-status=dead |journal=Guitar Player |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020182549/http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1026/under-investigation-terry-kath/23659 |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kachejian |first=Brian |date=2017-10-04 |title=Why Jimi Hendrix Called Chicago's Terry Kath The Best Guitarist In The Universe |url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/why-jimmy-hendrix-called-chicagos-terry-kath-the-best-guitarist-in-the-universe/ |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=ClassicRockHistory.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Growing up in a musical family, Kath took up a variety of instruments in his teens, including the drums and [[banjo]]. He played bass in a number of local bands throughout the mid-1960s, gaining experience in various musical styles and group settings. As his musical direction evolved, he eventually transitioned to the guitar, which became his primary instrument by the time he co-founded the band that would later be known as Chicago. His dynamic and expressive guitar playing, which blended elements of rock, jazz, and blues, quickly became a central component of the group’s sound. From the band’s earliest recordings, his contributions helped define their musical identity and set them apart from other rock acts of the era.

He used a number of different guitars, but eventually became identified with a [[Fender Telecaster]] fitted with a single neck-position [[humbucker]] pickup combined with a bridge position angled single-coil pickup and decorated with numerous stickers.

Kath struggled with health issues and substance abuse in the late 1970s. In January 1978, he died from an unintentional self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His death led the members of Chicago to consider disbanding; however, they ultimately chose to continue. Their decision to move forward was reflected in the memorial song "[[Alive Again (Chicago song)|Alive Again]]." To commemorate his musicianship, they issued the 1997 album ''The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath''. In 2016, Kath's daughter Michelle Sinclair released the documentary ''The Terry Kath Experience'', which chronicles his life and Chicago's early years.<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/chicagos-terry-kath-inside-the-life-and-tragic-death-of-an-unsung-guitar-hero-201725/|title=Chicago's Terry Kath: Inside the Life and Tragic Death of an Unsung Guitar Hero|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033906/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/chicagos-terry-kath-inside-the-life-and-tragic-death-of-an-unsung-guitar-hero-201725/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Kath was born to Raymond Elmer "Ray" Kath (1912–2003) and Evelyn Meline (nee Haugen) Kath (1916–1982) on January 31, 1946, in [[Chicago]].{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=1}} He had an older brother, Rod Kath,<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 2014|url=http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2014/08/46310-daughter-music-legend-terry-kath-launches-crowdfunding-campaign-new-documentary/|title=Daughter of Music Legend Terry Kath Launches Crowdfunding Campaign For New Documentary|website=Crowdfund Insider|access-date=March 11, 2016|archive-date=November 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119125552/https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2014/08/46310-daughter-music-legend-terry-kath-launches-crowdfunding-campaign-new-documentary/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/never-heard-of-guitarist-terry-kath-from-the-band-chicago-hes-ah-mazing-5002583|title=Never Heard of Guitarist Terry Kath From the Band Chicago? He's Ah-Mazing|last=Hermann|first=Andy|website=L.A. Weekly|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2016|archive-date=September 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911165113/https://www.laweekly.com/music/never-heard-of-guitarist-terry-kath-from-the-band-chicago-hes-ah-mazing-5002583|url-status=live}}</ref> was raised in the [[Norwood Park, Chicago|Norwood Park]] neighborhood of Chicago,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140820/norwood-park/daughters-film-tells-story-of-chicago-guitarist-you-dont-remember|title=Daughter's Film Tells Story of the 'Chicago' Guitarist You Don't Remember|website=DNAinfo Chicago|access-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208080907/http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140820/norwood-park/daughters-film-tells-story-of-chicago-guitarist-you-dont-remember|archive-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> and attended [[William Howard Taft High School (Chicago)|Taft High School]].

His brother played the drums and his mother played the banjo,{{sfn|Stanton|2003|p=144}} and Kath attempted to learn these instruments too.{{sfn|Talevski|2010|p=329}} He acquired a guitar and [[guitar amplifier|amplifier]] when he was in the ninth grade, and his early influences included [[The Ventures]], [[Johnny Smith]],<ref name="Under Investigation: Terry Kath">{{Cite web|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1026/under-investigation-terry-kath/23659|title=Under Investigation: Terry Kath|website=www.guitarplayer.com|access-date=March 11, 2016|archive-date=October 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020182549/http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1026/under-investigation-terry-kath/23659|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dick Dale]],{{sfn|Stanton|2003|p=144}} and [[Howard Roberts]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Electric Guitar: A History of an American Icon|first=André|last=Millard|publisher=JHU Press|year=2004|isbn=978-0-8018-7862-6|page=37}}</ref> He was later influenced by [[George Benson]], [[Kenny Burrell]],<ref name="Under Investigation: Terry Kath" /> [[Mike Bloomfield]], [[Eric Clapton]], and [[Jimi Hendrix]].<ref name="Under Investigation: Terry Kath" />

Unlike several other Chicago members who received formal music training, Kath was mostly self-taught and enjoyed [[jam session|jamming]].{{sfn|Stanton|2003|p=144}} In a 1971 interview for ''[[Guitar Player]]'', he said he had tried professional lessons but abandoned them, adding "All I wanted to do was play those [[rock and roll]] [[guitar chord|chords]]."{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=1}} His father wanted him to have a steady career, but he decided he would prefer a career in music.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=32}}

== Career ==

=== Early career ===
Terry Kath joined his first semi-professional band, The Mystics, in 1963, moving to Jimmy Rice and the Gentlemen in 1965.{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=1}}{{sfn|Stanton|2003|p=144}} He then played bass in a road band called Jimmy Ford and the Executives. Considered to be the bandleader, Kath guided the band's musical direction.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=31}} Ford was the trumpeter, [[Walter Parazaider]] played saxophone and other wind instruments, and [[Danny Seraphine]] later became the drummer.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=29}} Kath became close friends with Seraphine and Parazaider. The three musicians regularly socialized outside of the band.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=37}} They were fired from the group, which wanted to merge with another band, Little Artie and the Pharaohs, while leader and guitarist Mike Sistack explained that "it's just business."{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=38}}

In 1966, Kath joined a [[cover band]] called the Missing Links,{{sfn|Stanton|2003|p=144}} taking Parazaider and Seraphine with him, and started playing clubs and ballrooms in Chicago on a regular basis.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=39}} Parazaider's friend at [[De Paul University]], trumpeter [[Lee Loughnane]], also sat in with the band from time to time.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=49}} Kath's compatriot [[James William Guercio]] (who later became Chicago's producer) was lead guitarist in one of two road bands performing on ''The [[Dick Clark]] Show'' with the Missing Links.{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=1}}{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=2}} Kath received an offer from Guercio to play bass for the [[Illinois Speed Press]] and move to [[Los Angeles]], but declined as he considered the guitar his main instrument and wanted to sing lead. He stayed with Parazaider, Seraphine, and Loughnane instead,{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=48}} who quickly recruited trombonist [[James Pankow]] from De Paul and vocalist/keyboardist [[Robert Lamm]].{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=49}} Kath sang the lower range of lead vocals in the group{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=49}} in a style reminiscent of [[Ray Charles]].{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=48}} The group practiced at Parazaider's parents' basement and changed its name to The Big Thing. With the addition of singer and bassist [[Peter Cetera]] of The Exceptions, they moved to Los Angeles and signed with [[Columbia Records]], renaming the band Chicago Transit Authority. The real [[Chicago Transit Authority]] objected to the band's use of the name so in mid-1969 the name was shortened to [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chicago-mn0000110161/biography|title=Chicago – Biography|first=William|last=Ruhlmann|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 8, 2014|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727210050/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/chicago-mn0000110161/biography|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Chicago ===
{{Main|Chicago (band)}}
Kath was regarded as Chicago's [[bandleader]]<ref name="Terry Kath at Allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/terry-kath-mn0000023704/biography|title=Terry Kath – Biography|first=Greg|last=Prato|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 6, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033922/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terry-kath-mn0000023704/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> and best [[solo (music)|soloist]];<ref name="gress" /> his vocal, jazz and hard rock influences are regarded as integral to the band's early sound.<ref name="innovative" /> He has been praised for his guitar skills and described by rock author Corbin Reiff as "one of the most criminally underrated guitarists to have ever set finger to [[fingerboard|fretboard]]".{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=1}}<ref name="Live by Request: Chicago">{{ cite AV media |title=Live by Request: Chicago |date=2003 |publisher=Rhino Home Video |location=Burbank, CA |type=DVD |url=http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53999840 |oclc=53999840}}</ref> According to Loughnane, Kath could sing a lead vocal and play lead and rhythm guitar simultaneously.<ref name=cnn />

The group's first album, ''[[Chicago Transit Authority (album)|Chicago Transit Authority]]'', released in 1969, includes Kath's composition "Introduction", described as "Terry's masterpiece" by later Chicago guitarist [[Dawayne Bailey]].<ref name="Dawayne on Terry">{{cite web |title=Terry Kath |publisher=Dawayne Bailey |first=Dawayne |last=Bailey |url=http://www.dawaynebailey.com/terry.htm |access-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033915/http://www.dawaynebailey.com/terry.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The song displays many varied musical styles, including [[jazz]], [[blues]], [[salsa music|salsa]], [[rock and roll]], [[psychedelic music|acid rock]], and [[pop music|pop]]. The same debut album includes an instrumental guitar piece titled "Free Form Guitar", which consisted largely of [[audio feedback|feedback]] and heavy use of the Stratocaster's [[tremolo arm]].{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=2}} The album liner notes indicate that the nearly seven-minute piece was recorded live in the studio in one take, using only a [[Fender Showman|Fender Dual Showman]] [[guitar amplifier|amplifier]] pre-amped with a Bogen Challenger [[public address system|P.A.]] amp. The guitar's neck was held together with a radiator hose clamp.<ref name="gress" /> The song "[[Beginnings (Chicago song)|Beginnings]]" includes acoustic rhythm guitar by Kath.{{sfn|Wild|2002|p=10}}

For the group's second album, Kath contributed an extended guitar solo on "[[25 or 6 to 4]]", which became a live favorite.<ref name="25 or 6 to 4, Allmusic">{{ allMusic |class=song |id=mt0034169238 |first=Linsday |last=Planer |label=25 or 6 to 4 |access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref> The same album saw Kath collaborate with orchestral arranger [[Peter Matz]] on the four-part suite "Memories of Love", singing the lead vocal.{{sfn|Perone|2012|p=16}}
Kath wrote at least one song and contributed at least one lead vocal to every Chicago album released during his lifetime. While 1976's ''[[Chicago X]]'' is best known for Cetera's number one hit, "[[If You Leave Me Now]]", Kath's "Once or Twice" showed he was still writing and recording rock material.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-x-mw0000189365|title=Chicago X|first=Lindsay|last=Planer|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 7, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033920/https://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-x-mw0000189365|url-status=live}}</ref> He continued this style on the following year's ''[[Chicago XI]]'', contributing the funky "Mississippi Delta City Blues" and the aggressive "Takin' It on Uptown", which counterbalanced some of the material other members were producing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-xi-mw0000192498|title=Chicago XI|first=Lindsay|last=Planer|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 7, 2014|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908043934/http://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-xi-mw0000192498|url-status=live}}</ref>

After his death, to memorialize Kath and to commemorate the resumption of Chicago, the band composed and published the song "[[Alive Again (Chicago song)|Alive Again]]" on its first album without him, ''[[Hot Streets]]''. Also in Kath's honor, they later published the song "Feel the Spirit".<ref name="The Greatest Music Never Sold, at Google Books">{{cite book |title=The greatest music never sold: Secrets of Legendary Lost Albums by David Bowie, Seal, Beastie Boys, Beck, Chicago, Mick Jagger & More! |first=Dan |last=LeRoy |type=Book |isbn=978-0-87930-905-3 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/greatestmusicnev00lero |chapter-url-access=registration |quote=The Greatest Music Never Sold. |chapter=Chapter 3: Chicago: Like a Rolling Stone |publisher=Backbeat Books |location=New York |year=2007 |oclc=145378229 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/greatestmusicnev00lero/page/79 79]–80}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
Kath used several guitars in his early career, but many of these early ones were stolen while on the road. His first main instrument that he used when Chicago were still The Big Thing was a Register guitar that cost $80. When the band started becoming successful, he traded up to a [[Fender Stratocaster]].{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=2}} He also used a Gibson SG Standard, as pictured on ''Chicago Transit Authority''{{'}}s inner sleeve, and a Gibson SG Custom, and was one of the few well-known guitarists to make regular use of the [[Gibson Les Paul|1969 Les Paul "Professional"]] model, which sported a pair of unconventional low-impedance [[pickup (music technology)|pickups]] with a special impedance-matching transformer for use with a standard [[high impedance]]-input amplifier.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bacon |first=Tony |title=50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=0-87930-711-0 |page=60|year=2002 }}</ref> Kath tended to favor light strings, though for the top E string, he used one from a [[tenor guitar]].{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=2}} In an interview with ''Guitar Player'', he said that he used the tenor guitar string for the top E and moved all the regular strings down (top E was used as B, B used as a G, and so forth). For acoustic parts, he played an [[Ovation Guitar Company|Ovation]] acoustic guitar.<ref name=GP>{{cite news |last1=Bosso |first1=Joe |title=Remembering Terry Kath |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/remembering-terry-kath |access-date=November 26, 2018 |work=Guitar Player |publisher=Future Publishing Limited Quay House |date=January 31, 2018 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033902/https://www.guitarplayer.com/players |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the latter part of his career, he favored a [[Fender Telecaster]], which he heavily modified. The standard blonde Telecaster had its black [[pickguard]] and its neck-position pickup removed, and the hole enlarged and fitted with a Gibson [[humbucker]]. The guitar control plate was also reversed.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Fender Telecaster: The Detailed Story of America's Senior Solid Body Electric Guitar|first=A R|last=A. R. Duchossoir|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=1991|isbn=978-0-7935-0860-0|page=26}}</ref> He was an early investor in the [[Pignose]] company (a manufacturer of [[guitar amplifier]]s) and served in the management of the company<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P4oJAQAAMAAJ&q=pignose+%22terry+kath%22|title=Pignose advertisement|journal=Guitar Player|volume=7|year=1973|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033902/https://books.google.com/books?id=P4oJAQAAMAAJ&q=pignose+%22terry+kath%22|url-status=live}}</ref> and decorated his Telecaster with 25 Pignose stickers, a Maico motorcycles decal and a [[Chicago Blackhawks]] logo.{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=3}} Most of Kath's guitars had gone missing for many years, including the famous "Pignose" Telecaster. Several were located by Kath's daughter Michelle Kath Sinclair, at the home of her step-grandmother, during her research for the documentary film ''Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience''. Among the re-discovered equipment was his "Pignose" Telecaster, an Ovation acoustic, a Fender Stratocaster, and a Gibson SG Custom with the pickups removed.<ref name = GP />

Kath experimented with a wide variety of amplification and distortion devices and used a [[wah-wah pedal]] frequently.<ref name="gress" /> Fascinated by gadgets, Kath was interested in trying to play guitar without using a [[Plectrum|pick]]. Lamm recalled him attempting to make an auto-picking device using a modified electrical cocktail mixer.{{sfn|Wild|2002|p=8}}

== Vocals ==
Kath sang lead vocals on several of Chicago's early songs, including "[[I'm a Man (The Spencer Davis Group song)|I'm a Man]]" (''[[Chicago Transit Authority (album)|Chicago Transit Authority]]''), "[[Colour My World (Chicago song)|Colour My World]]", "[[Make Me Smile]]" (both part of "[[Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon]]"), "Movin' In", and "In The Country" (''[[Chicago (album)|Chicago II]]''), "[[Free (Chicago song)|Free]]" (''[[Chicago III]]''), "[[Dialogue (Part I & II)]]" (''[[Chicago V]]''), "[[Wishing You Were Here]]" (''[[Chicago VII]]''), and "[[Brand New Love Affair (Chicago song)|Brand New Love Affair]]" (''[[Chicago VIII]]''). His vocal delivery was later described by Lamm as "The White [[Ray Charles]]".{{sfn|Wild|2002|p=8}} Pankow, who wrote "Make Me Smile", tried rehearsing the song with various members singing lead, but ultimately settled on Kath, saying "bingo – 'that' was the voice."{{sfn|Wild|2002|p=11}} Kath was one of the three primary lead singers of Chicago, with a [[vocal range]] between those of the other two, [[Peter Cetera]]'s higher [[tenor]] and [[Robert Lamm]]'s fuller, lower baritone. He often collaborated with Cetera on lead vocals as they did in "[[Dialogue (Part I & II)]]," "Ain't It Blue," "In The Country," and "[[Brand New Love Affair (Chicago song)|Brand New Love Affair]]".

Kath also played lead guitar and sang lead vocals on the closing song "Tell Me" in the 1973 drama movie ''[[Electra Glide in Blue]]''. The song was used in the final episode of the television series ''[[Miami Vice]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Miami Vice|first=James|last=Lyons|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2009|page=104|isbn=978-1-4443-1904-0}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==<!-- This section is linked from [[Chicago (band)]] -->
Kath had a self-admitted history of [[Drug Abuse#Musicians|drug abuse]], including [[alcohol abuse|alcohol]].{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=164}} Seraphine knew that Kath had a high tolerance for drugs and he later recalled Kath telling him: "I'm going to get things under control&nbsp;... if I don't, this stuff is going to kill me." Chicago bandmates, including Seraphine,{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=2}} had noted that he was then also becoming increasingly unhappy.<ref name="Chicago Box Set, liner notes, page 8">{{cite web |title=Chicago Box Set, liner notes, page 8 |work=aln3.albumlinernotes |url=http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Chicago_Box_Set_-_Page_8.html |access-date=May 28, 2013 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328134228/http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Chicago_Box_Set_-_Page_8.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The night before he died, Kath visited bandmate [[Laudir de Oliveira]]. De Oliveira offered him tea and the two spent all night talking.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/g_It4eo3S2k Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210518182614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_It4eo3S2k Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_It4eo3S2k| title = Pour Laudir de Oliveira – Web Documentaire 2020 – Narration en Français, English Subtitles | website=[[YouTube]]| date = September 17, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Guercio has said that Kath was finishing writing a solo album before he died<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chicagotheband.info/chapters913.cfm|title=Chapter IX ~ Tragedy|publisher=Official Site of Chicago|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615083450/http://chicagotheband.info/chapters913.cfm|archive-date=June 15, 2012|access-date=June 15, 2012}}</ref> and Pankow has adamantly denied that Kath was suicidal.<ref name="Chicago Box Set, liner notes, page 8" />

Kath enjoyed target shooting and by 1978 he was regularly carrying guns.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=164}} On Monday, January 23, after a party at the home of [[roadie]] and band technician Don Johnson in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California]], Kath began to play with his guns. He spun his unloaded .38 revolver on his finger, put it to his temple and pulled the trigger. Johnson warned Kath several times to be careful. Kath picked up a semi-automatic 9 mm pistol and, leaning back in a chair, said to Johnson: "Don't worry about it&nbsp;... Look, the clip is not even in it." His [[last words]] were, "What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?"{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=3}} To calm Johnson's concerns, Kath showed him the empty magazine. Kath then replaced the magazine in the gun, put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. Apparently unbeknownst to Kath, the gun had a round in the [[Chamber (firearms)|chamber]]. He died instantly from the gunshot,{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=3}} eight days before his 32nd birthday.

Kath left behind his wife, Camelia Ortiz,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Boston Globe | date=January 24, 1978 | page=31 | title=Gun accident kills singer Terry Kath | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91393477/kath-obit/}}</ref> and a 20-month-old daughter, Michelle Kath (now Michelle Kath Sinclair since her marriage to actor [[Adam Sinclair (actor)|Adam Sinclair]]).

Kath is interred near his mother, Evelyn Kath and father, Raymond Kath, in the [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery]] in [[Glendale, California]] in the Gardens of Remembrance.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_1IsKvqj5tcC&q=terry+kath+forest+lawn&pg=PA162 |title=''The Day the Music Died'' |isbn=978-1-4535-2267-7 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033924/https://books.google.ca/books?id=_1IsKvqj5tcC&pg=PA162&dq=terry+kath+forest+lawn&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjnr_Or9sXdAhUfIjQIHXWlAQIQ6AEINTAC#v=onepage&q=terry%20kath%20forest%20lawn&f=false |url-status=live |last1=MacDonald |first1=Les |date=July 2010 |publisher=Xlibris Corporation }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.terrykath.com/bio-official/ |title=Official bio |access-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033859/http://www.terrykath.com/bio-official/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The group's members were devastated over losing Kath and strongly considered disbanding but were persuaded by [[Doc Severinsen]], musical director of the ''[[Tonight Show]]'' band, to continue.{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=169}} Kath's position as guitarist in Chicago was filled by [[Donnie Dacus]].{{sfn|Seraphine|2010|p=171}} At Chicago concerts, members [[Lee Loughnane]] (trumpet) and [[Robert Lamm]] (keyboards) have performed lead vocals originally sung by Kath.

== Legacy ==
{{quote box|width=25%|quote=I don't think there's ever been a better rhythm player. And then, Terry's leads are, for that day especially, world class stuff.|source=-- Chicago keyboardist [[Robert Lamm]]{{sfn|Reiff|2013|p=3}}}}

Because Chicago considered themselves a team, some band members have subsequently claimed Kath's contributions to be generally overlooked. Chicago band member [[Walter Parazaider]] later said, "If [Kath] was totally up front, he would have gotten a ''lot'' more recognition."{{sfn|Wild|2002|p=8}} According to Parazaider, [[Jimi Hendrix]] commented to him after a set at the [[Whisky a Go Go]] in Los Angeles that "your guitar player is better than me."<ref name=cnn>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/16/us/history-of-chicago-guitarist-terry-kath/index.html|title=The little-known rock guitarist who was 'better' than Jimi Hendrix|first=Thom|last=Patterson|date=December 30, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033925/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/16/us/history-of-chicago-guitarist-terry-kath/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 1997, Chicago released ''Chicago Presents The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath'', a CD remembrance of their late guitarist, on their own short-lived Chicago Records label.<ref name="innovative">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-innovative-guitar-of-terry-kath-mw0000022120|title=The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 6, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033919/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-innovative-guitar-of-terry-kath-mw0000022120|url-status=live}}</ref>

Band members have since wondered if Kath would have stayed with Chicago had he lived or started a solo career. In 2010, Parazaider said:
<blockquote>"I'm not sure about that. [Terry] was a free spirit&nbsp;... He was his own person when it came to different things. I would like to think he (would still be with Chicago) but he was very independent and I wonder what he would have thought about the 1980s. I'd have to say it's 50/50. It could have gone either way."<ref name="Hard Habit at Sault Star">{{ cite news |title=Hard Habit to Break |first=Jeffrey |last=Ougler |work= Sault Star |date=May 20, 2010 |url=http://www.saultstar.com/2010/05/20/hard-habit-to-break-veteran-chicago-member-walter-parazaider-felt-sidelined-when-the-band-shifted-from-rock-and-jazz-fusion-to-saccharin-laced-1980s-ballads-he-stuck-it-out-though-and-at-65-i |access-date=June 6, 2014}}</ref></blockquote>

In 2012, Kath's daughter Michelle Kath Sinclair announced that enough funds had been donated to complete production on a documentary of his life, titled ''Searching for Terry: Discovering a Guitar Legend''.<ref name="Terry Kath's official web site">{{ cite web |title=Terry Kath's official web site |url=http://www.terrykath.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204170210/http://www.terrykath.com/ |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> In 2014, she confirmed she had interviewed the entire band except for Cetera and the project was planned for release in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2014/08/15/never-heard-of-guitarist-terry-kath-from-the-band-chicago-hes-ah-mazing|title=Never Heard of Guitarist Terry Kath From the Band Chicago? He's Ah-Mazing|first=Andy|last=Hermann|work=LA Weekly|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=September 27, 2014}}</ref> The film made its world premiere at the 2016 [[Toronto International Film Festival]], renamed as ''The Terry Kath Experience'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://povmagazine.com/blog/view/tiff-announces-more-docs-plus-vr-and-guests|title=TIFF Announces More Docs, Plus VR and Guests|last=Mullen|first=Pat|date=August 23, 2016|website=povmagazine.com|publisher=Point of View Magazine|language=en|access-date=November 2, 2017|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033921/http://povmagazine.com/blog/view/tiff-announces-more-docs-plus-vr-and-guests|url-status=live}}</ref> and Peter Cetera was listed among the cast members.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/terry-kath-experience-review-932302|title='The Terry Kath Experience': Film Review {{!}} TIFF 2016|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|date=September 23, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 2, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107071702/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/terry-kath-experience-review-932302|url-status=live}}</ref> It made its United States premiere at the [[Doc NYC|DOC NYC]] film festival in November 2016 under the same name,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://whatnottodoc.com/2016/11/07/2016-doc-nyc-in-focus-sonic-cinema/|title=2016 DOC NYC in Focus: Sonic Cinema|date=November 7, 2016|work=what (not) to doc|access-date=November 2, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033904/https://whatnottodoc.com/2016/11/07/2016-doc-nyc-in-focus-sonic-cinema/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://musicofourheart.me/2016/11/11/doc-nyc-music-documentaries/|title=DOC NYC – Music Documentaries|date=November 11, 2016|work=Music of Our Heart|access-date=November 2, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033926/https://musicofourheart.blog/2016/11/11/doc-nyc-music-documentaries/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was soon after acquired by [[FilmRise]], which planned a 2017 release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/chicago-the-terry-kath-experience-documentary-release-2017-1201922445/|title='Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience' Documentary Set for Release in 2017|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=November 19, 2016|work=Variety|access-date=November 2, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033917/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/chicago-the-terry-kath-experience-documentary-release-2017-1201922445/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film made its television premiere on [[AXS TV]], under the name ''Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience'', on November 7, 2017, and it was released as [[Video on demand|VOD]] and [[DVD]] on December 12.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.axs.com/axs-tv-to-premiere-riveting-documentary-chicago-the-terry-kath-experie-124846|title=AXS TV to premiere riveting documentary 'Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience' on Nov. 7|last=Melton|first=Lori|date=October 31, 2017|work=AXS|access-date=November 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102144755/https://www.axs.com/axs-tv-to-premiere-riveting-documentary-chicago-the-terry-kath-experie-124846|archive-date=November 2, 2017|url-status=dead|language=en-US}}</ref> The film includes interviews with guitarists [[Jeff Lynne]], [[Steve Lukather]], [[Mike Campbell (musician)|Mike Campbell]], [[Dean DeLeo]] and [[Joe Walsh]], who all praised Kath's work. Walsh said, "He was a great guy; he was a brilliant musician. He was a songwriter and a great singer. He was such a monster on guitar. ... He was just a total experimenter".<ref name="rollingstone.com"/>

On April 8, 2016, Chicago was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. Michelle Kath Sinclair accepted the award on her father's behalf.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chicago-hall-of-fame-speech/|title=Chicago's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Speeches Marked by Camaraderie and Humor|last=Deriso|first=Nick|date=April 8, 2016|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|publisher=Loudwire Network, Townsquare Media|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124309/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chicago-hall-of-fame-speech/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Discography with Chicago ==
{{Main|Chicago discography}}
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*1969 ''[[The Chicago Transit Authority (album)|The Chicago Transit Authority]]''
*1970 ''[[Chicago (album)|Chicago]]''
*1971 ''[[Chicago III]]''
*1971 ''[[Chicago at Carnegie Hall]]''
*1972 ''[[Chicago V]]''
*1973 ''[[Chicago VI]]''
*1974 ''[[Chicago VII]]''
*1975 ''[[Chicago VIII]]''
*1976 ''[[Chicago X]]''
*1977 ''[[Chicago XI]]''
*1997 ''Chicago Presents the Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath''
*2011 ''[[Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75]]''
{{div col end}}

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|title=The Album: A Guide to Pop Music's Most Provocative, Influential, and Important Creations, Volume 1|first=James|last=Perone|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2012|isbn=978-0-313-37906-2}}
*{{cite journal|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/11526-forgotten-heroes-terry-kath|title=Forgotten Heroes: Terry Kath|first=Corbin|last=Reiff|journal=Premier Guitar|date=May 11, 2013|access-date=June 6, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033906/https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/11526-forgotten-heroes-terry-kath|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|title=Street Player: My Chicago Story|first=Danny|last=Seraphine|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2010|isbn=978-0-470-62573-6}}
*{{cite book|title=The Tombstone Tourist: Musicians|first=Scott|last=Stanton|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7434-6330-0|url=https://archive.org/details/tombstonetourist00stan_0}}
*{{cite book|title=Rock Obituaries – Knocking on Heaven's Door|first=Nick|last=Talevski|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|year=2010|isbn=978-0-85712-117-2}}
*{{cite AV media notes|title=Chicago Transit Authority|first=David|last=Wild|publisher=Rhino|id=8122-76171-2|year=2002}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
*{{Find a Grave|6681}}

{{Chicagoband}}
{{2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kath, Terry}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American lead guitarists]]
[[Category:American rhythm guitarists]]
[[Category:Chicago (band) members]]
[[Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)]]
[[Category:Firearm accident victims in the United States]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in California]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in California]]
[[Category:American rock singers]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Illinois]]
[[Category:American people of Norwegian descent]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:American baritones]]
[[Category:Singers from Illinois]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Chicago]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century American songwriters]]