From ‘Chicago VI’ on, it was increasingly apparent that guitarist / vocalist / band heart and soul Terry Kath was becoming weary of his diminishing role.

Chicago always denied being a jazz-fusion band. The opening songs on 1974’s underrated ‘Chicago VII’ say something different.

Chicago’s Terry Kath delivers a raw, emotional performance not unlike John Lennon’s brilliant but bleak ‘Plastic Ono Band’ album.

One of the few social commentary songs on ‘Chicago VI,’ this funk workout was penned by James Pankow.

It’s a shame Terry Kath never hitched up the slide again. Chicago’s “Darlin’ Dear” shows he had a real talent for it.

I remember my late father listening to this Chicago song and remarking, “Terry Kath could sing the telephone book and make you weep!” True and tragic.

Robert Lamm’s “Saturday in the Park” became a signature hit. It also marked a huge turning point for Chicago.

“A Hit By Varese” leads off Chicago’s fifth album, one many of my colleagues and I feel is flawless. It is, as they used to say, “all killer, no filler.”

‘Chicago at Carnegie Hall,’ a sprawling four-record set, was ripe for abuse from so-called leading critics of the time.

“Elegy” is not an easy listen, but it shows the range of styles that Chicago’s original lineup could pull off – and pull off very well.