Terrys’ Timeline

1946 Born Terrance (Terry) Alan Kath

January 31, 1946 in Chicago IL. Lived with Parents Raymond Elmer Kath, Evelyn Meline Haugen, and Brother Rod, in Norwood Park.

School:

1965 Graduated Taft HS

Music in school, later hung around DePaul University. Terry 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

1963 Early bands

– The Mystics 1963, Jimmy Rice and the Gentlemen 1965, Jimmy Ford and the Executives, Toured with Dick Clarks roadshow, The Missing Links 1966

1967 The Big thing

Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine and Terry, decided to form a rock band with horns along with James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm, they added Peter Cetera on Bass. Hooked up with James William Guercio producer/manager, who urged them to move out to California.

1968 California, the band all lived in the same house, experimenting, rehearsing, and playing locally.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) renamed and recorded their first (double) Album in NYC in two weeks.

Chicago: Actually Chicago II double album. CTA shortened to, after the real CTA threatened to sue. Toured endlessly even today. Played all the Colleges and Univ.  developed a cult like following before radio picked them up and soared to greater heights.

Breakthrough – Make me smile AM Radio first hit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Make_Me_Smile

The music also lent itself to FM Stereo radio by way of the long exended songs in the ’70s.

Chicago III Released January 11, 1971. Double Album.

Chicago Live at Carnegie Hall Recorded April 5-10 , 1971 – 4 album boxed set

1969 Albums:

1970

Recorded performances: Tanglewood, Isle of Wight, Arie Crown,  Japan 1972 & 1975

1972

1973 Films:

Electric Glide in Blue produced by JWG, Sung Title track “Tell me”

The Terry Kath Experience (2016) a Film, produced by his daughter Michelle Kath Sinclair

TV Shows 1973-1975 Duke Ellington Special, Live in the Rockies, Meanwhile back at the ranch, News Years Rockin Eve

Caribou Ranch and recording studio was owned by Jim Guercio, is a 4000 acre ranch near Nederland CO. Terry recorded CVI,VII, VIII (double album) X, and IX here.

1977 Final concert at Oakland Coliseum December 1

  • Dec.1 1977
  • Dec.25 1977

Personal life

High School sweetheart Jacki Goudie, Married Pamela Robinson in 1970. Divorced in 1974. Later, lived with Camelia Ortiz, had a baby girl Michelle Kath in May 1976

Hobbies: Gun collecting, fast cars, motorcycles, dogs, guitars

Houses: 1770 Grandview Glendale CA and 22038 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu Beach, CA

1978 Death:

Jan 23, 1978 by gunshot. 5754 Fallbrook ave Woodland Hills CA. Buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park #6681, Glendale CA

 

2016 Honours:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2016 member, Taft/DePaul Scholarship in his name, Best guitar player award 1970, ‘71 and ‘72

2020 Legacy:

Without Terry Kath, many believe Chicago would never have made it as far as they did.