Musician, Singer-Songwriter, Guitarist. Born the second son of Raymond and Evelyn Kath in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in the Chicago neighborhood of Norwood Park. As a child, he played the drums, the banjo, and finally taught himself to play the guitar. As a teenager, he formed a group to cover such bands as The Ventures. While attending DePaul University in 1966, he formed a band, The Big Thing, with saxophonist Walter Parazaider and drummer Danny Seraphine. Within a year, the lineup also included trombonist James Pankow, trumpet player Lee Loughnane, keyboardist-vocalist Robert Lamm, and bassist-vocalist Peter Cetera, and was renamed the Chicago Transit Authority. With James William Guercio as their manager, the band would become the opening act for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Hendrix was reported to have said Kath was the better guitarist. In 1968, the band signed with Columbia Records and began recording; releasing their debut album, 'Chicago Transit Authority' in 1969. 'Chicago II' was released in March, 1970 and reachedt #4 on the American charts. The following year, 'Chicago III' climbed to the one slot. In 1971, they released the massive 'Chicago at Carnegie Hall' live album, which remains the best selling four LP set ever recorded. The album a year formula continued with 'Chicago V' in 1972, their first effort that was under one hour in length. 'Chicago VI' came out in 1973, topping the charts. The following year, Kath married Camelia Ortiz, with whom he had one daughter. Over time, he had developed an interest in guns, and had numerous weapons in his home, and often, on his person. It was not unusual for him to go target practice or hunting while off the road. 'Chicago VII,' 'Chicago VIII,' and 'Chicago IX' released between 1974 and 1977, all reached the top slot on American charts; and Kath began work on a solo album. In January 1978, during a party being held at roadie Donnie Johnson's home in Woodland Hills, California, Kath was drinking heavily and showing off one of his automatic pistols. He was asked to put it away, so he ejected the magazine to show that the weapon was unloaded. He returned the clip, and placed the barrel against his temple. Reassuring everyone that it wasn't loaded, he pulled the trigger. The chambered round that he neglected to unload, killed him instantly. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled the death an accidental gunshot inflicted under the influence of alcohol and drugs. In 1997, Chicago compiled an album that showcased Kath's best performances. In 2016, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Chicago.