Criminally underrated guitarist. That simple.

50 years later, I still can’t believe the courage behind Kath’s vocals… he was all in / make or break, and he didn’t hesitate… probably the best vocal performance in rock, because he was right on the edge, and didn’t back down…

Today is Jan 24, 2024. Yesterday sadly marked 46 years since Terry Kath died. The band was not the same after that. This timeless 1970 classic now brings tears to my eyes. It was their first big hit reaching the top 10. The city of Chicago was very blessed to have this band no matter how much mayor Daly despised them.

Terry Kath did in fact make us smile till this day 2024 wed 4.10. I'm now 65 and still blessed to hear how Terry Kath had a fantastic voice as well as being a guitarist virtuoso I don't know how they have completely underated his overall gift for the world of pure raw excellence with such moving powerful soulful music thank you Terry Kath for your contribution to the history of music

Terry Kath one of the most underrated guitar singers of all time so sad that he is no longer with us.

The talent on that stage will never be repeated!!

In those early years, Chicago was likely the most exciting group on our planet. Most every member was a superb musician. The ways they blended on record and stage drop my jaw still.

The best era for this band, so hungry and so talented … Kath was so brilliant

How can you be a fan of music and not love Chicago? They are so unique and just musical.

I love watching Terry Kath play. He isn't simply playing his guitar or trotting out well worn exercise patterns, he BECOMES the guitar. He IS the guitar. His mind absolutely disappears into the music and the guitar simply becomes an extension of what is going on in his head at the time. His hands just do what he is playing in his head as to how it ought to go or sound right here and he's already a dozen steps ahead of you before it registers in your brain what just happened, what he just pulled off with the ease of a flame thrower toasting a marshmallow. The really elite musicians don't seem to care if they walk on stage wearing whatever they put on that morning to measure up to some critical standard of a "professional." They don't really even seem to care if anyone is watching them, or try to show off this or that move or repetitiously exhaust exercise scales with B-S antics to impress the fans who just jump on musical band wagons as a method of including themselves in whatever is popular today. Terry just puts his head down and becomes the music. When experienced guitar players, hear what TK is doing with his instrument, and while listening, trying to imagine, trying to figure out, or simply attempting to follow what is emanating out of him, we just put our guitars away, sit down, watch intently, and try to soak up as much of the energy he is throwing off to absorb the feeling with him. His aura just seems to blast out of his guitar and cover you with an incredible blanket of supernatural oneness with the music. He deconstructs and reconstructs his guitar in patterns and ways that are alien to mere mortals and shares his pure natural genius without quarter. To those who understand, receive, contemplate, become jealous of, admire, and stand in awe of Terry Kath, he is in a class all by himself. If music is what feelings sound like, Terry Kath IS music.

my husband plays guitar and has seen the original lineup three times and he says Terry Kath is beyond question the absolute best pure guitarist he has ever heard in his life...he is amazing beyond a doubt....sad he was gone so soon....R.I.P.

I must say, without KZfaq, one would not have any idea, how great they were in their beginnings. Fearless and brillant.

The real Chicago... an incredible band.

Watching and listening to Terry Kath makes me smile! :)

Chicago's Greatest Song - "Make Me Smile" written by James Pankow, powerful main vocal and monster guitar by Terry Kath, killer drum breaks by Danny Seraphene, and magnificent horns by Pankow, Parazaider, and Loughnane. The best !

Terry Kath - the best percussive guitarist of all time. And what an incredible soulful singer.

When I was in high school, actually only ninth grade, I fell in love with this band, and to this day I still listen to them often. The original members are legendary. LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!

Saw these fellas at Pine Knob Michigan back in 76. Our generation had the greatest music.

Nobody played like Terry back then. Way ahead of his time

I am 58, growing up all my life I heard this song thousands of times before Cell phones and internet. Now getting to see this video, no wonder Hendrix said if you want to see the greatest guitarist, go see Kath. What a great time to live and now my appreciation for this song is multiple fold. I could watch this over and over forever! RIP Kath! I am no guitar or music expert, but I believe you may have been the first shredder, if not at least the start of shredding!

Terry's voice is full of Soul and Passion great artist..Sad day when the music world lost Mr.Kath...shame😢

His soulful voice makes you think you're hearing an older black R & B singer from the '60's😮 just INCREDIBLE

At this time, Chicago was probably the most talented of all rock and roll bands in the world. Yes, better than the Stones, Beatles, Eagles, Doobies, etc. Truly amazing songs from this concert that remain timeless.

Let me go back to the 1970s when I die. That was heaven.

The brilliance of Chicago and Terry Kath in particular, was how they blended musical genres using an unparalleled mastery of instruments and composition. Listen closely to their music and it's obvious they were devout students of all aspects of the discipline. Little wonder that no less than Hendrix himself declared a sincere appreciation for what he did with the guitar. A troubled soul perhaps, but an amazing artist no question. Rest in peace Brother Kath.

There will never be another like Terry Kath, a voice like I never thought possible. Combine him with the superb talent of each musician in Chicago and the result was magic. After Terry's passing, the band was not the same. RIP Terry, I'm sure Heavens music is even better with you there. To this very day you are sorly missed. Much love and respect. ✝️

My older brother took me to the show at Tanglewood Mass July 1970 I was 15 had great seats in the front blew my mind Terry was awesome it was after that I knew what I wanted to do in life. Watching this video brings me back to that night.my older brother shot 8 millimeter film of this show.that I have in my video collection. Ended up playing drums learn to play listening to Danny on headphones. Great video thanks for sharing.

Just pure unadulterated Rock in Roll, I’m 62 can’t get enough of it!!

Mr Kath's vocals are incredible, add his superb guitar playing and you are watching a rock maestro. RIP TK never equalled. I remember waiting for the albums to be released and rushing to the record stores to get the vinyl out and play for the first time, over 50 years ago, cherished times and thoughts. Thanks Chicago!

That 3 piece horn section is second to none. No sour notes anywhere! Terry had such a soulful voice.

One of the best horn sections of all times.

They were arguably the best band in the world in this incarnation. I saw them four times like this !!!###

There's nothing like Terry's voice. The best of the best. He was such a talented singer, needless to say, a wonderful guitarist. Always will love you Terry

My whole life I never gave Chicago much thought. Then I saw a video of them doing Make Me Smile. It made me smile. 😊

50 some years later, and I can't get enough

Back when music was music! Truly one of the best bands ever.

RIP Terry Kath (January 31, 1946 - January 23, 1978), age 31 You will be remembered as a legend.

I have always loved how Kath was in tune with every musician on stage and could improvise then and there, like he does with the drummer in the beginning of that break in the middle.

A MONSTER BAND...INSPIRED ME 50 YEARS AGO TO FLEE MY COUNTRY AND START MY ROCK ADVENTURE.....NO REGRETS !!!!

A band like this only comes around once.

Two Words: GREAT BAND!!! Still listening and enjoying in 2020.

Because of my age, I was born in 71, I was first familiar with their 80s stuff. As I got older, I went backwards to their early stuff. Love it! R.i.p. Terry

I am astounded by Terry Kath, I had no idea that he was so good, singing and guitar! Incredible. I agree with everyone on this post, all who see what is so evident in his performance. I now see--a little late--that Chicago was one of the best bands of the seventies, and the century!

Very beautiful music from Chicago, proud fan for over 50 years, Master Musicians

This has to be one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard. I just wish I was older so I could have heard it in the intended era.

Danny and his superb drumming gave this band that extra kick.

Love this era of Chicago, only.

WONDERFUL performance of an iconic ensemble.....amazingly recorded by an audience member....a 1 camera shoot in 1970....terrific...

You can't say enough about this band.........Kath is just amazing

Love the deep fullness in his voice. Love Chicago!! Blessed to have seen them in 1985-86

Terry was truly one of the greatest. He left this world way too early. I will never get tired of listening to his music- He comes right out at you and just never stops.

Terry Kath incredible vocals. What an amazing moment in history watching them perform. Terry RIP❤

Kath was amazing...wow...music back then, live, stellar! Early Chicago killed it!

I'm 46, and grew up listening to Chicago quite a lot. It's really only the last few years I've really come to fully appreciate everything they bring. In particular Terry Kath and his guitar playing and singing. It's mind blowing, and I only wish I could have developed my baritone voice to anything approaching his ability. Just astounding.

I'm a Chicago (native ) myself. Chicago was THE group back in the day.

Who believes if Terry didn't have his accident he would still Grace the world with his guitar?

I love Terry's voice!

Love that deep, soulful, gifted voice. Damn, that guitar work, wow

Man, the more I study Gary Kath’s playing the more intimidated I become. He was absolutely fearless. He really was the greatest.

Terry Kath should always be mentioned among Rocks greatest guitar players. His voice is often overlooked, but he always reminded me of Ray Charles!

Kaths voice was so rich and soulful- so underrated!!

He really was Terrific! As a guitarist it would have been tough to be heard thru that great horn section..Yet he sure did..Hendrix even loved Terrys playing....Really liked his voice and playing.. God Bless Him. As well.as the other boyz in the band..!

Beautiful, the best rock n roll ever, the best guitaristive ever!!!

I gotta say Terry Kath has to be one of the top 5 guitarists of all time....

Terry absolutely attacks that guitar and his intense vocals….simple magnificent

This song just rocked my world in 1972, Terry sang it so well.

This is possibly the greatest assembly of talent in a single group ever! IMO. 😉

Terry Kath maybe one of the most underrated guitar players of all time. He is truly missed. rip terry

This song has it all! even the title. Horns guitar drums keys and oh so much soul.

Best Band on the planet. I grew up in the 70s the best music every produced .

God, listen to Terry's voice and guitar still blows me away today. He was and is #1 with me. 💙

Real Music. Not the pretend stuff they are sampling today. Pure skill and talent

Mr. Terry Kath was a very special soul raw , intense , emotional , free spirited , vocalist , phenomenal best guitarist of all time up to this day in the 21st century !!!!!! What an impact you made on the entire world . One of a kind . Hasn't been nobody I've heard that tops Mr. Terry Kath , in my opinion , Eddie Van Halen comes very close . I loved Chicago growing up , I remember hearing " Beginnings " back in 1971 when I was a young 9 years old , on the radio living in Tampa , FL , ever since I heard their Magnificent sound , I was hooked on all their songs , the horns , instrumental sounds they put out , I'll listen and enjoy their music til I'm able .

Great band and Terry Kath and Peter Cetera were such good and talented singers. Now a little over half a Century later they are still good to hear. Timeless really.

My favorite Chicago song!

Holy smoke!!!!! Fresh as the first time I heard it back in the seventies!!!

NO other band has had the brass as talented as Chicago!!

Thanks dad for introducing me to Chicago

They really rocked when Kath was with them.

Terry's voice is probably my favorite all time !

We were truly blessed with the BEST rock back in the day . !

The shakey, handheld vid from the front row makes me feel like I'm there. Every member of Chicago was a glorious musician in their own right. As a band the ruled the world!

Terry's soulful voice would make me tingle and I was only 7-8 years old when this song came out.

Wow, I never heard that version before. Thank you for sharing. I always thought Chicago deserved more appreciation for their music and their talent.

With that whiskey and sandpaper voice, incredible guitar playing, and stage presence, my vote for the best ever.

I was in my senior year of high school when I fell so in love with Chicago! Beautiful souls with beautiful memories!

He was the heart and soul of Chicago .

One of the best love songs ever.

Thanks for sharing this video..always wanted to see them live in the 70s..this is the closest I'll ever get. ❤

Los escuche a los 18 años..en mi juventud a mis 70 años los escucho y digo no hay banda como chicago ..genios 😁👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I was in the 9th grade. I remember this so well. I love hearing it.

Great Terry Kath, amazing !!!❤

Greatest, most underrated guitar player ever!!

Thanks for showing us how it's done, Terry. The world is a lesser place without you.

My God, these guys were great. There was a club band out of the mid west in the 70s, Common People, that did a lot of Chicago very well. The guitars and bass would play horns in one hand and fret the guitars with the other. Unforgettable.

Young guys here at the beginning of their power that kept getting better..great musicians,songwriters and true major talent and with quality and class all the way.. thanks

Thank you for sharing this. I was only 10 when they recorded this. I didn't fully appreciate Terry until after he was gone. To his credit, Terry sang with such soul, my friends and I all thought he was black. So many treasures from those early days and this one has to be on my 10 top list of songs to have on a deserted island. I hope Terry gets to look down here every once in a while and see how much he is loved. All good wishes.

So sad the way he died your up there with angels

Terry Kath was a beast on guitar.

I saw Chicago 3 days before Terry died. I always see him in the Minnesota North Stars jersey he wore on stage...in Toronto of all places. When I heard the news I couldn't believe it. I still can't.