Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 minutes ago
"Peace of mind was finally mine, Now free to fly the heavenly sky"
I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.
Terry Kath was a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and a founding member of the band Chicago. Kath was regarded as Chicago's bandleader and best soloist; his vocal, jazz and hard rock influences are regarded as integral to the band's early sound.
Kath had a self-admitted history of drug abuse, including alcohol. Drummer Danny Seraphine recalled Kath telling him, "I'm going to get things under control ... if I don't, this stuff is going to kill me."
A huge Hendrix fan, the last song he wrote was Oh, Thank You Great Spirit for Chicago's seventh studio album in 1977. The song was Terry's tribute to Jimi and a lament for his loss.
By 1978 Kath regularly carried guns. After a party, he spun his unloaded revolver and pulled the trigger. Others warned Kath to be careful. He picked up another gun and said "What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?" There was no magazine in the gun but there was a round in the chamber. Kath pulled the trigger and died instantly at the age of 31.
Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
"Peace of mind was finally mine, Now free to fly the heavenly sky"
I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.
Terry Kath was a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and a founding member of the band Chicago. Kath was regarded as Chicago's bandleader and best soloist; his vocal, jazz and hard rock influences are regarded as integral to the band's early sound.
Kath had a self-admitted history of drug abuse, including alcohol. Drummer Danny Seraphine recalled Kath telling him, "I'm going to get things under control ... if I don't, this stuff is going to kill me."
A huge Hendrix fan, the last song he wrote was Oh, Thank You Great Spirit for Chicago's seventh studio album in 1977. The song was Terry's tribute to Jimi and a lament for his loss.
By 1978 Kath regularly carried guns. After a party, he spun his unloaded revolver and pulled the trigger. Others warned Kath to be careful. He picked up another gun and said "What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?" There was no magazine in the gun but there was a round in the chamber. Kath pulled the trigger and died instantly at the age of 31.
Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
