DePaul University Musicians
Jeremy Barnes; drummer of indie rock bans, "Neutral Milk Hotel," Bright Eyes," and accordionist and bandleader of "A Hawk and a Hacksaw;" accordionist in Beirut, Lebanon.
Alex Beyer; guitarist/vocalist for Acidic Tree, bassist/vocalist for Ardvark.
Greg Davis; musician, sound artist.
Richard Harper; drummer of the Chicago based rock groups, Plastics Hi-Fi, The Sam Saunders Machine, and Team Band.
George Perle; Pulitzer Prize winning composer.
James Quinn; Emmy award winning producer.
Alex Beyer; guitarist/vocalist for Acidic Tree, bassist/vocalist for Ardvark.
Greg Davis; musician, sound artist.
Richard Harper; drummer of the Chicago based rock groups, Plastics Hi-Fi, The Sam Saunders Machine, and Team Band.
George Perle; Pulitzer Prize winning composer.
James Quinn; Emmy award winning producer.
List activity
454 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
18 people
- Actor
- Composer
- Producer
Pete Wentz, the bassist and primary lyricist for the Chicago-based band Fall Out Boy, was born Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III in Wilmette, Illinois. He is the son of Dale (Lewis), a high school admissions counselor, and Pete Wentz, an attorney. His grandfather, Arthur Winston Lewis, served as U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone. Pete's father is of German and English descent, while Pete's maternal grandparents were both from black Jamaican families. Pete grew up in the Chicago hardcore punk scene, and was in several bands before Fall Out Boy, including Firstborn, Arma Angelus, 7 Angels of the Apocalypse / Culture of Violence, Extinction, Forever Ended Today, and Yellow Road Priest. He grew up with band member Joe Trohman. Fall Out Boy is the 4th band that Pete Wentz and Andrew Hurley have done together.
Wentz has written a book entitled The Boy With the Thorn In His Side, which is a story based on nightmares he had as a child. It is named after a song by The Smiths. He has another book titled "Rainy Day Kids," which was scheduled to be released February 14th, 2006, but has been postponed because he was unsatisfied with some of the material. In addition, Wentz is writing another book, alternating chapters with William Beckett of The Academy Is....
Wentz has a company called Clandestine Industries, which distributes books and, more notably, clothing, among other things. Additionally, he owns his own imprint of Fueled By Ramen, Decaydance Records, which has signed on several bands, including: Panic! At The Disco, October Fall, Gym Class Heroes and The Hush Soundand Lifetime . He also has a film production company called Bartskull Films, which has released the DVD "Release the Bats", a film about Peter, his friends both in and outside of Fall Out Boy, and many Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen bands.bassist for the Fall Out Boy; dropped out one quarter or 10 weeks shy of graduation to pursue a music career.- Music Artist
- Actor
- Composer
Members included Peter Cetera, Mark Goldenberg, James Pankow, Terry Kath, Walter Parazaider, and Lee Loughnane.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Sound Department
Frank Catalano was born in 1961 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), Frequency (2000) and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988).jazz musician- Music Department
- Actor
- Composer
Noted vocalist and bassist Peter Paul Cetera was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 13, 1944. His initial foray into music was the accordion, but he soon made his way to electric bass (and, occasionally, guitar). Cetera's family was Polish in origin, and Peter grew up Catholic.
As a youngster, Cetera made the rounds in local bands before landing a gig with The Exceptions. In December of 1967, The Big Thing (later Chicago) and the Exceptions were playing the same place when Cetera approached the former, saying he liked what they were doing. Two weeks later, he'd switched bands.
Cetera's addition benefited Chicago in many ways. First, his tenor voice complimented the baritones of guitarist Terry Kath and keyboardist Robert Lamm. Second - and most important at the time - his bass playing simply rocked. Together with Kath and drummer 'Danny Seraphine', Cetera made the rhythm section cook. Although not especially noted as a bass player now, at the time, Cetera set the standard. Early Chicago recordings - such as "Listen" and "Poem 58" - benefit immensely from Cetera's creative lines.
But it's as a singer that Cetera is especially noted, and there's no doubt that the man can sing. "Questions 67 and 68," "25 or 6 to 4," "Just You and Me," and "Call On Me" all testify to his ability to sing the spots off a tune. His unique vocal phrasing was the result of reconstructive surgery following a fight he got into at a baseball game in 1970. Eventually, Cetera became known as the voice of Chicago.
Cetera was the last of the original Chicago members to join, and it's tempting to say that he always felt a bit like an outsider (says trombonist James Pankow, "Peter hated the horns"). According to Cetera, his early attempts at songwriting weren't well received by others in the band (it must be said these efforts are hit and miss), and by "Chicago VII" (which was supposed to be all jazz), his frustration was showing. When producer James William Guercio agreed that the "VII" sessions weren't going well, Cetera offered his compositions "Happy Man" and "Wishing You Were Here" - both winners, and both huge hits. Saying he was always the frustrated rocker in the group, Cetera hit home with the almost metal "Hideaway" on "Chicago VIII," a truly inspired bit of writing - tellingly, without horns.
Cetera, Guercio, and Kath recorded "If You Leave Me Now" after the others had finished their work on the "Chicago X" sessions, and when it hit, it went straight to #1 - the first Chicago single to do so. He scored again on "Chicago XI" with "Baby, What A Big Surprise," even though it was obvious that his contributions on that session were limited (he wrote and sang only that one tune). It was at this time that the group split with Guercio, and that - according to Cetera - both he and Kath were sick of what Chicago was doing. "Everything that can go on with a band was going on with us," Cetera has said. When Kath accidentally shot himself early in 1978, Cetera thought the band would end naturally. Doc Severinson talked them out of it. Cetera's bloated and disheveled appearance at this time may be indicative of his feelings about soldiering on.
But Cetera soon became the focal point. He was all over the increasingly low selling albums, sometimes penning and singing out-and-out winners ("Little Miss Lovin'," "Loser With A Broken Heart"), sometimes penning and singing sappy drivel ("Song for You"). When Columbia Records dropped Chicago, Cetera jumped on the opportunity to do solo work. His 1981 album "Peter Cetera" featured his great rocker, "Livin' In the Limelight."
Cetera became the Man in 1982. The "Chicago 16" sessions added keyboardist-guitarist-vocalist Bill Champlin and producer David Foster, but Cetera made the most of the opportunity, penning a funked-up rocker ("Bad Advice"), and the monster hit "Hard to Say I'm Sorry." 1984's "Chicago 17" cemented Cetera's position as he racked up the hits "You're the Inspiration," "Stay the Night," "Hard Habit to Break," and "Along Comes a Women." The fine work others contributed was usurped by Cetera's popularity, and the break up was inevitable.
According to Champlin, Cetera had been thinking about leaving for years: "He was ready." He'd quit smoking and drugs, lost weight, and began paying attention to his looks. Cetera says that he wanted to do a Phil Collins/Genesis-type deal, and the others wouldn't have it; others, like James Pankow, say Cetera wanted 50% of the cut, and top-billing ("Peter Cetera and Chicago"), and they wouldn't have it. Ultimately, according to keyboardist Robert Lamm, Cetera quit, saying, "I never really dug the music that much anyway." It was July of 1985.
As if in answer, Cetera immediately scored a #1 hit with "Glory of Love" - which had horns! He followed up with chart busters like "After All", (with Cher) "One Good Woman", "Feels Like Heaven" (with Chaka Khan), and has recently re-recorded some of his Chicago hits and a Christmas album.
Described as quiet and private, the blond Cetera has been married at least twice. His hair cut in a page-boy early in his career (with the occasional beard), he has stayed slim and GQ recently. Now out of Chicago longer than he was in, he dislikes discussing his years in the group, saying, "It's like talking about your ex-wife." He has turned down chances to re-unite with Chicago over the years, and famously refused to allow VH1 to use any of his songs in the "Behind the Music" episode about Chicago. He has two children (both are daughters), has pretty much quit playing bass, and has only started touring again recently after a long, self-imposed exile. He is, however, accessible on his website, where he answers questions and chats with fans with a great deal of humor and candor.- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
The influential trombonist and composer for the jazz-rock group Chicago, James Pankow was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 20, 1947. He ended up playing trombone by accident (the other, "cooler" instruments had been distributed). Following the move to the city of Chicago, Pankow fell in love with the horn, even playing it during three years with braces.
One of nine siblings, Pankow's musical interests were encouraged at Notre Dame High School by Father George Wiskirchen. After graduating, Pankow won a full scholarship to Quincy College, but later enrolled at DePaul, where he was recruited into "The Big Thing" (later Chicago) by woodwind player Walter Parazaider.
Once in the band, Pankow's talents shined. A creative player with a sharp sound and a great range, Pankow was the best of the Chicago's horn players and possibly the best trombonist since Bill Watrous (though some feel David Bargeron from Blood Sweat & Tears played rings around Jimmy). The early Chicago records feature Pankow soloing on the small-bore King 2B, and many of his phrases and patterns are incredible (particularly on "Hanky Panky", "You Are On My Mind", "Mother", "A Hit By Varese" and "The Approaching Storm"). As Chicago drifted into power ballads in the 80s, Pankow switched to a signature model silver Getzen (now a collector's item), and has more recently been playing a Yamaha.
As great a trombonist as he is, Pankow's major contribution to Chicago may be as a writer. His brass arrangements are legendary, and his compositions include the huge hits "Make Me Smile", "Just You 'n Me", "Searching So Long", "Old Days", "Alive Again", "Bad Advice" and "Show Me A Sign".
Personally, Pankow seems to be one of the most available of the group. In interviews, he is hilarious, profane, and insightful by turns, and always seems to be in a good mood. He's also physically fit and can be described as short but muscular. He seems to have been interested in martial arts. Brown-haired and mustachioed (with the occasional beard) early on, he has now gone white, clean-shaven, and close-cropped, though he sometimes dyes his locks back to brown. His antics on stage are as legendary as his brass arrangements (he often dresses to display his biceps), and he's one of the few in Chicago who has a stage presence equal to the members of Earth Wind & Fire on this current concert tour. In the late 90s, there were reports that Pankow was anxious to try acting, and every now and then, rumors surface about a Pankow-penned book on Chicago.
Sources reveal Pankow has been married twice. The first, to Karen (for whom he wrote "Just You 'n Me") lasted 20 years, and broke up about 1993 (a Pankow tune called "Here With Me" on the infamous Stone Of Sisyphus project acts as a bookend). He has recently remarried, and become a father again - a prospect he obviously relishes. Pankow's brother John Pankow is an actor.
Almost 60 and still going strong, Pankow seems to love playing even to this day, and is sorely missed by fans on the rare occasions he can't make a concert.trombone player for Chicago band.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
A founding member of the jazz-rock group Chicago, Walter Parazaider was born in the Windy City on March 14, 1945. Coming from a musical family, it was only natural that Walt would follow suit, and he began his career on the clarinet. Eventually, he became the protégé of the E-flat clarinetist in the Chicago symphony.
Parazaider switched over to sax ("It was a cool way to meet girls"), enrolled at De Paul University, and - inspired by The Beatles' hit "Got To Get You Into My Life" - became enamored with the idea of creating a rock 'n roll band with horns. Early sessions at Parazaider's house included Terry Kath and Danny Seraphine, friends from Walt's teen years. Another friend was Jim Guercio.
The band, first known as The Big Thing, eventually became Chicago. Aside from being a founder, Parazaider's role consisted of playing woodwinds on trombonist James Pankow's charts. Never a prolific writer, Parazaider's compositional contributions have been slight ("Prelude to Aire", "Window Dreamin'"), so his rep rests largely with his playing, though there can be no doubt that he has suggested a horn line or two over the years.
Solid in the section, Parazaider is capable of playing both a gorgeous melody ("Colour My World") and eclectic, intricate improvisations ("Just You 'N Me"). But he has a penchant for the odd and, often enough, his dissonant solos leave fans scratching their heads ("Movin' In" on "Chicago II", for example). To those who are musically literate, Parazaider's style borders on Coltrane-like experimentation (such as when he plays his solo on "Free" a step down live). To fans who just like a good tune, this can be confusing.
As such, most of Parazaider's best work is recorded. His solo on "Now That You've Gone" ("Chicago V") is perfect, and a nice display of his talent can be heard on "Long Time, No See" ("Chicago VIII"), which features a rare all-sax horn mix. Parazaider is all over the unreleased "Stone of Sisyphus" album, and it's a shame that his great playing on songs like "Plaid" can only be heard by fans who want to risk getting a bootleg of the set.
Tall, very thin, and long-haired when the group first started, Parazaider has trimmed his locks and put on weight in recent years. He's the only one of the Chicago regulars to have stayed married to his first wife (as of this writing), and he has at least one daughter (who gets a songwriting credit for "Get On This" on "Sisyphus" with James Pankow and then-boyfriend/guitarist, Dawayne Bailey). On the rare occasions he's interviewed, Parazaider comes across as pretty quiet and shy, though there is a sense of humor there. According to Pankow, Parazaider was one of the most bitter about the 1985 departure of bassist Peter Cetera, though Parazaider himself has never publicly said so. What he thought of the firing of old pal Danny Seraphine in the early 90s is also unrecorded. By most reports, Parazaider is a nice fellow. Now 60, Parazaider tours extensively with the band (occasionally spotted by Larry Klimas), and his extended flute solo is often a highlight of the performance. He is no doubt happy that his dream of a rock 'n roll band with horns has truly come to light.woodwind player for Chicago band.- Actor
- Producer
- Music Department
Lee Loughnane, a founding member and trumpet player with the rock group Chicago, was born into a musical family in Chicago, Illinois. Influenced by his father (also a trumpet player), Lee excelled at the instrument almost from the beginning, even landing a spot in the All Star Catholic High School band. He continued his education at De Paul University.
Through his friendship with guitarist Terry Kath ("We were thick as thieves"), Loughnane met drummer Danny Seraphine and woodwind player Walt Parazaider. Parazaider, trying to form a rock 'n roll band with horns, encouraged Loughnane to sit in on rehearsals. At first, the group was known as The Big Thing. Eventually, it became The Chicago Transit Authority.
Lee's role (to begin with) consisted of playing trombonist Jimmy Pankow's brass arrangements and singing background vocals. His husky voice was an asset backing the lead singers on such songs as "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" In time, he also managed to sing some lead--and well (e.g., "Song of the Evergreens"). His voice would have to qualify as an underutilized Chicago asset (live these days, he often sings "Wishing You Were Here" and "Happy Man," and does a great job).
As a trumpet player, he's evolved from a good one early in his career to a great one today. Initially a Getzen man, Loughnane's solos on early Chicago albums show him exhibiting a quirky, offbeat style, accented by some fancy lip slurs and an occasional foray into upper registers (some notable early work can be heard on "Beginnings," "The Approaching Storm," "Movin' In," "State of the Union," and the out-take "Sixth Sense"). Given his prowess, it must have irked Loughnane that Chicago sometimes used guest trumpet players on their albums and sessions (notably, Maynard Fergusen on "Chicago 13" and former Tower of Power players on "Chicago 17"). In mid-career, Loughnane quit smoking, took on a new teacher, and traded in his Getzen for a Claude Gordon with a big bore ("like blowing down the Holland tunnel"). With a new set of breathing exercises and a new way of tonguing, Loughnane has become a monster.
He's developed as a writer, too. Famous is the story of how Peter Cetera had to rescue Lee's composition "Call On Me" for "Chicago VII." Later Loughnane compositions include "Together Again," "This Time," and the hit "No Tell Lover." By "Hot Streets" (1978), Loughnane was entering Pankow territory by doing some brass arrangements. His skill in this regard has grown, and "Chicago: What's It Gonna Be, Santa?" (the Christmas album) features his matured skills on such great tunes as "Let It Snow," "Sleigh Ride," and "Child's Prayer" (live, Loughnane often solos on these selections, and blows the crowd away).
One of the more approachable members of the band, Loughnane has been married four times and has several children. Tall, thin, and occasionally bearded early on, Loughnane has grayed and put on some pounds recently, looking a great deal like Maynard Fergusen. He suffered a minor heart attack in the 1990s, and says he's been taking better care of himself since. In interviews, he's articulate and can be funny. By all accounts, he's a nice guy. Certainly, Kath, Robert Lamm, and Pankow received more attention in the early years--and Cetera later--but Loughnane's evolution has recently been more of a public discussion among Chicago's fans, and this certainly must please him.trumpet player for Chicago band.- Music Artist
- Actor
- Composer
Brian Culbertson is known for Safety (2020), Lunatic Messiah (2011) and The Keynote Cafe with LaVelle Powell (2021). He has been married to Micaela Haley since 4 October 1997.jazz musician- Producer
- Director
- Composer
James William Guercio is the chief executive of The Caribou Companies in Boulder, Colorado of which Caribou Films is an entity. Guercio produced and directed "Electra Glide in Blue," the American entry in the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, and in 1979, produced "Second Hand Hearts," directed by Hal Ashby. He was the original director for "Tom Horn" starring Steve McQueen in 1979.
As a guitarist, bass player, arranger and composer, Guercio, started in the music business with Dick Clark in 1962. Touring and performing with Gene Pitney, Brian Hyland, Del Shannon, Chuck Berry, Bobby Darin and Chad and Jeremy. He was an original guitarist with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention along with producing, arranging, and composing numerous hits for Chad and Jeremy and the Buckinghams. Guercio also won two Grammy Awards for his work as a music producer. His legendary Caribou Ranch studio recorded artists including Chicago, Phil Collins, Earth, Wind and Fire, Amy Grant, Billy Joel, Elton John, Carole King, John Lennon, The Beach Boys, Supertramp, and U2.
He has 36 Grammy nominations, winning Album of the Year in 1969 for Blood, Sweat, and Tears along with a Grammy for his work with Chicago. He produced numerous works by Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Chicago, and the Beach Boys.
In 1986, Guercio purchased and became the primary shareholder of Country Music Television which was sold to Gaylord/Westinghouse in 1991. He has been married to Lucy Angle Guercio for 35 years and has three children.producer for Chicago band; former owner of the Country Music Television.- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
American keyboardist, a child prodigy from the age of six. Ramsay studied classical music at the Chicago College of Music and De Paul University with the intention of becoming a concert pianist. By the age of sixteen, he had abandoned those plans to join the Clefs, a seven-piece jazz band. From the nucleus of this group Ramsay formed the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956, having recruited both drummer Isaac 'Redd' Holt and bassist Eldee Young. Their first hit was 'Something You Got' in 1964, but a far greater success lay ahead the following year with a Grammy Award winning instrumental release of Dobie Gray's 'The In-Crowd'. This went to Nr. 5 in the U.S. charts and 'Hang on Sloopy' in 1965 reached Nr. 11. The trio then split up, but Ramsay reorganized by signing on drummer Maurice White (later famously of Earth Wind & Fire) and bassist Cleveland Eaton. They enjoyed further popular success with the Afro-American spiritual-inspired 'Wade in the Water' and the Grammy-winning 'Hold it Right There'. White left the group in 1971 but went on to produce Lewis's classic jazz album Sun Goddess, released by Columbia Records in 1974. Although he later experimented with other rhythms and genres, Lewis was unable to recapture his earlier commercial successes. In the 80s, he accompanied vocalist Nancy Wilson, and, during the following decade, hosted jazz programs on radio. From 1995 to 1999, he was a member of the Urban Knights, a jazz collective whose alumni included Grover Washington Jr. and Omar Hakim.jazz musician- Director
- Composer
- Actor
Ray Manzarek was born on 12 February 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a director and composer, known for Army of the Dead (2021), Strange Days (1995) and The X Files (1998). He was married to Dorothy Manzarek. He died on 20 May 2013 in Rosenheim, Bavaria, Germany.keyboardist for the 1960s rock band, The Doors.- Kris Myers is known for Umphrey's McGee's: Live from Lakefront Green (2019), Umphrey's McGee: New Wings (2022) and Umphrey's McGee: The Silent Type (2017).drummer of the Chicago based progressive rock group Umphrey's McGee.
- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Timothy Nordwind was born on 28 June 1976 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009) and Friends with Benefits (2011).bass and vocals for the band Ok Go.- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Jim O'Rourke was born on 18 January 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a composer and actor, known for People Like Us (2012), School of Rock (2003) and Drive My Car (2021).Grammy Award winning producer, composer, musician and sound artist.- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
One of the most influential yet underrated guitarists of all time, Terry Alan Kath was born on January 31, 1946 in Chicago, Ill. Musical practically from birth, Kath taught himself bass, drums, and guitar, and made the rounds in local bands, impressing everyone he met. Childhood friends included Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine and Jim Guercio. In early 1967, Parazaider, Kath, and Seraphine formed the nucleus of what would eventually become Chicago.
A true innovator, Kath experimented endlessly with amps, guitars and equipment. While he possessed a rudimentary awareness of musical composition, he mostly just played by ear. Other band members were in awe of his ability to hear something once and play it back. Legend has it that Jimi Hendrix, with whom Chicago toured in the early days, idolized Kath, telling Parazaider, "Your guitar player is better than me". Listening to Kath's early recorded soloing on such tunes as "South California Purples", "Poem '58", "Listen" and "25 or 6 to 4", you'd be hard pressed to say Hendrix was wrong. Chicago's producer Guercio has said that Kath could have been a monster as a solo artist.
That Kath never received the recognition due him as a guitar hero is old news now, but it irked him during his lifetime. Band-mate James Pankow recalls a tour in England where Kath publicly gave the crowd the finger for comparing him unfavorably to noted greats like Eric Clapton and Page. Listening today, aficionados are amazed at Kath's picking and, while a bit dependent upon the wah-pedal, his creativity is still dazzling. He was capable of handling all genres, including jazz, country, metal, blues, and flat-out rock. He played a variety of guitars in his career, at one point owning nearly 20 of them. Early Chicago albums feature him on a Gibson SG and a Fender Stratocaster. Around 1972, he began playing a specially decorated Fender Telecaster as his main rig.
As a composer, Kath was much more hit than miss. Though Chicago never scored on the charts with a Kath single, the tunes he wrote were generally killer. Some, like "O Thank You, Great Spirit" and "Take It on Uptown" rival anything Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton or Page ever came up with. And Kath sang rings around them all. Blessed with a soulful, husky voice, Kath belted and whooped his way through such classics as "Make Me Smile" while possessing the ability to go smooth when the need arose ("Wishing You Were Here", "Colour My World", "Brand New Love Affair, Part 1"). In his personal life, Kath reportedly sensed that he wouldn't live long (he died a few days before reaching 32). He has been famously described as down-to-earth and a great guy, but a risk-taker. It's interesting to note that all Chicago band-mates, from James Pankow to Robert Lamm to Peter Cetera, describe themselves as having been very close to Terry (Lamm has called him his best friend). This indicates that Kath could make himself comfortable with a variety of personalities. Kath was into fast cars, motorcycles and guns. He was also into a variety of drugs, though reports indicate he wasn't addicted. He loved to eat and fought a constant battle with his waistline (until he seemingly gave up near the end of his life, growing truly fat). He experimented with a wide variety of hairstyles and facial hair throughout his career and had a fondness for wearing professional hockey (NHL and WHL) team jerseys. He was 28 when he married 19-year-old Camelia Lynne Ortiz in 1974; they had a daughter, Michelle, in 1976.
Kath's death on January 23, 1978 is a watershed in rock history, but some confusion remains about what actually happened to him. Contemporaneous newspaper reports indicate that he accidentally shot himself with a 9mm automatic at roadie Don Johnson's house after a party in front of Camelia. Later interviews with band members such as James Pankow indicate that Kath was alone with Johnson at the kitchen table and no party had taken place. Supposedly, Kath was displaying the gun when Johnson told him to be careful. Kath then is supposed to have put the gun to his head, saying either, "Don't worry, it's not loaded, see?" or, "What do you think I'm gonna do, shoot myself?" before pulling the trigger. Whatever actually happened, Kath's death doesn't seem to have been a suicide, in spite of Pankow's acknowledgment that Kath had been "bumming" over a fight with Camelia (or Cetera's assertion that Kath was unhappy in Chicago and would have been the first to leave had he lived).
In any case, Kath is sorely missed. Chicago has carried on and adding Bill Champlin in 1981 certainly improved things, but the contributions Terry Kath made to the group and to rock music in general can't be denied.