Terry Kath

Birth Name:

Terry Alan Kath

Birth Date:

January 31, 1946

Birth Place:

Chicago, Illinois

Death Date:

January 23, 1978

Place of Death:

5754 Fallbrook Avenue, Woodland Hills, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Self-Inflicted gunshot wound to the head (accidental)

Cemetery Name:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Claim to Fame:

Music

Terry Kath was an American guitarist and singer who is best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He played lead guitar and sang lead vocals on many of the band's early hit singles alongside Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera. He has been praised by his bandmates and other musicians for his guitar skills and his Ray Charles–influenced vocal style. Jimi Hendrix cited Terry Kath as one of his favorite guitarists, and considered Kath to be "the best guitarist in the universe."

Gone Too Soon

Terry Kath enjoyed target shooting and by 1978 he was regularly carrying guns. On Monday, January 23, after a party at the home of roadie and band technician Don Johnson in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, Kath began to play with his guns. He spun his unloaded .38 revolver on his finger, put it to his temple and pulled the trigger. Johnson warned Kath several times to be careful. Kath picked up a semi-automatic 9 mm pistol and, leaning back in a chair, said to Johnson: “Don’t worry about it … Look, the clip is not even in it.” His last words were, “What do you think I’m gonna do? Blow my brains out?” To calm Johnson’s concerns, Kath showed him the empty magazine. Kath then replaced the magazine in the gun, put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. Apparently unbeknownst to Kath, the gun had a round in the chamber. He died instantly from the gunshot, eight days shy of his 32nd birthday.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

1712 S Glendale Avenue

Glendale, California, 91205

USA

North America

Map:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California

Grave Location:

Garden of Remembrance, Semi-Private Garden 40

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery drive all the way to the top of the hill and park at the fake marble sculpture of David (with a water feature). Look to the entrance to the left of David called the Garden of Remembrance. Walk 300 feet to the second garden and take your first right on the path, then a left and walk 40 feet. Guitar virtuoso Terry Kath is buried with his parents on the right.

Grave Location GPS

34.127219, -118.241754

Visiting The Grave:

Photos:

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FAQ's

Terry Kath was born on January 31, 1946.

Terry Kath was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Terry Kath died on January 23, 1978.

Terry Kath died in 5754 Fallbrook Avenue, Woodland Hills, California.

Terry Kath was 31.

The cause of death was Self-Inflicted gunshot wound to the head (accidental).

Terry Kath's grave is in Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Videos Featuring Terry Kath:

Terry Kath's grave and home with Jordon the Lion

Watch YouTube video titled Terry Kath and Chicago

Terry Kath and Chicago "25 or 6 to 4" 1970 Tanglewood

Chicago Transit Authority (aka Chicago) - I'm A Man (1969)

The Tragic Death of Terry Kath & Danny Seraphine's Last Words to Him

Chicago- Terry Kath Interview (1970)

Watch YouTube video titled Film trailer for the Terry Kath Experience

Terry Kath