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Terry Kath picture

Terry Kath

Acting
Known For

31 Years Old

Terry Alan Kath (January 31, 1946 – January 23, 1978) was an American musician and songwriter, best known a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He played guitar and sang lead vocals on many of the band's early hit singles. He has been praised by the band for his guitar skills and Ray Charles-influenced vocal style. 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 bands in the mid-1960s, before settling on the guitar when forming the group that became Chicago. His guitar playing was an important component of the group's sound from the start of their career, and he sang lead on several of the group's singles. He used a number of different guitars, but eventually became identified with the Fender Telecaster fitted with a humbucker pickup and decorated with numerous stickers. Kath was also said to be Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist. Kath struggled with health issues and drug abuse towards the end of the 1970s. He died in January 1978 from an accidental gunshot wound to the head. The bereavement tempted Chicago to consider disbanding, but they ultimately decided to resume as is signified by their memorial song "Alive Again". To commemorate his musicianship, they issued the 1997 album, The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath.

Born

Chicago, Illinois, USA on 31st January 1946

Died

23rd January 1978

All Credits

Rockpalast Image
Rockpalast
Electra Glide in Blue Image
Electra Glide in Blue
Killer
Now More than Ever: The History of Chicago Image
Now More than Ever: The History of Chicago
Self (archive footage)
The Terry Kath Experience Image
The Terry Kath Experience
Self
No Image
Got No Shoes, Got No Blues: the Texas International Pop Festival
Chicago: Live At Tanglewood Image
Chicago: Live At Tanglewood