@green917 He was actually playing Russian Roulette, so yeah, not an outright suicide, but certainly death wish territory. That's the story, anyway. Hendrix thought he was mind-blowing, as others have pointed out, and his vocals were powerful, soulful, up there with the best. Truly one of the most overlooked musicians of rock. But ask musicians??? We all know. Kath, one of the G.O.A.T.'s. (Great songwriter too.)
This is a song about trying to write a song way late at night until early in the morning. It was 25 or 26 minutes to 4 AM. Finally, this song came out, a song about having trouble writing a song.
That is, it is about the angst of a song writer (or any song writer). The Key, getting a song stuck in your head and trying to get it down on paper. I have friends who are musicians who tell me such stories.
Specifically, someone asked Hendrix what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, and he said, "I don't know, you'd have to ask Terry Kath."
I'm 65 and probably banged my steering wheel too many times rocking out. Medical condition for 70s teenagers. Best time ever to be a teen. CB radios kept everyone in touch driving around. And the 8 tracks were playing gold thru 6x9 Jensens. Now those were 70s greatness.
The horns are part of the band. Lee Loughnane on trumpet, Walter Parazaider on sax, James Pankow on trombone, Danny Seraphine on drums, Robert Lamm on keyboards and vocals, Terry Kath on guitar and vocals, and Peter Cetera on bass and vocals.
Early on, the lead singer, Peter Cetera, was out in LA at a Dodgers game. He ended up in a fight with some fans, and they broke his jaw! Doctors wired it shut, and he had to learn how to sing without opening his mouth very wide. He kept that sound and style his entire career.
Check out cover band Leonid and Friends. They sound and perform just like Chicago' even better in some instances. They are Russian and don't speak English but sing in English. I am pretty sure they are living in the U.S. They tour the U.S. Definitely worth seeing them live. They have become friends with the real Chicago band and Chicago is happy that they are bringing back Chicago songs.
Just saw them here in Hawaii on 9/29/24...still, sounding great as ever!! THIS is their closing song and it was great to see my sons and other youngsters enjoying their time! Chicago is a rock band with HORNS!! HS and college bands STILL play their jams. And, their ballads are classic too! The 1970s...BEST decade of music!
This was written by Robert Lamm, who is a keyboard player and singer for Chicago. It's about trying to write a song, with the title referring to the time of day: either 3:35 a.m. (25 to 4) or 3:34 a.m. (26 to 4). Lamm explained on The Chris Isaak Hour: "I was living with a bunch of hippies up above Sunset Strip. One of the advantages of this particular house was that it was in the Hollywood Hills and I could look out over the city late at night. I wanted to try to describe the process of writing the song that I was writing. So, 'waiting for the break of day, searching for something to say, flashing lights against the sky' - there was a neon sign across the city. That song came from the fact that it was 25 or 6 to 4 a.m. in the morning when I looked at my watch - I was looking for a line to finish the chorus. Peace out.
This is the story I've always heard. Regardless it was the perfect vehicle for Terry Kath to demonstrate his mastery on guitar as well as the rest of the band showing how seamlessly they all integrated their talents to make a unique sound that never sounded out of place.
It is never too late to discover the guitar greatness Terry Kath. Then go watch him sing on "Make Me Smile" at that same concert to hear the depth of his vocal talent. He can also play bass, but no need, as Peter had that covered.
I saw the Allman Brothers Band open for Chicago at the stony brook university gym on Long Island in the early 70s . At the time both bands still had all their original members. Absolutely incredible. Talent like that all under 1 roof is rare
AND I JUST TURNED 71 MYSELF ! I MISS THE 70S AND 80S ! THE BEST MUSIC EVER ! I SAW CHICAGO , BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS LONG AFTER TERRY ! I THINK THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR A GUITARIST ! BUT THE ONE THEY HAD WAS NOTHING SPECIAL ! THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEONE LIKE TERRY ! HOW DO YOU REPLACE AN MVP !
I was in college pulling an all nighter studying for one of my finals when this song came on the radio. I had been awake for about 30 hours and it was about 4 am. Suddenly the lyrics in this song made so much more sense to me. Also what you said about the compression and high production of music post 2010 as opposed to 1970 does make sense for the sound quality and listening to it now. But this band is brilliant and also yes everyone you see playing onstage is part of the band.
The lead player is Terry Kath. Jimmy Hendrix was asked what it felt like to be the world's best guitar player. His response was "I don't know ask terry Kath! " Ambassador Jenks
You have now witnessed what is highly regarded as one of the best live guitar solos ever recorded. Terry Kath was a musical genius. Taken from us way too soon. RIP guitar master.
The guitarist, Terry Kath, has an amazing voice too. Deep, full and rich, extremely soulful. A great song to hear hus voice is "Make Me Smile," because it also includes a face-melting guitar solo. But for a slow jam with Terry singing lead, I suggest either Colour My World (the song that launched a thousand junior proms), or Wishing You Were Here.
At the time when this song came out, there were very few digital clocks and even, watches. That's why it was more common to say, 26 to 4 as opposed to 3:34. And since it was analog, the minute hand, at some point is actually between 25 minutes and 26 minutes, so the time check is more understandable in that context.
I'm your basic old dude who saw them December 1969 in Frankfurt, Germany. I was stationed there in the US Army. I didn't know anything about the group, but I was blown away and the big hall was rockin.
More info: They started as Chicago Transit Authority until the city of Chicago threatened to sue them so they just dropped the Transit Authority and became just "Chicago".
Jimmi Hendrix once said Terry Kath was the greatest guitarist ever. Keep that in mind as you listen to Chicago the Terry Kath years. His life tragically ended in 1978. This song is about an all nighter for a songwriter fighting writers block. It is 25 or 6 until 4 in the morning.
Hendrix was right to say that quote and he also said he plays better than me, very underrated guitarist and a underrated BLUE'SY raw vocalist too, in my top 10 greatest classic rock guitar hero's of all time (RIP) 🎸🎤
Terry does some singing too. You should watch Wishing You Were Here Terry sang most of that one, Peter Cetera sings one verse, and the Beach Boys doing backing vocals on it.
Don't feel bad; I've been listening to this song for 50 years and it still makes no sense! The lyrics do mean something, I just forget what it's about. Love it.
Their first album was a double album! And all of it was great. They were so good and so creative. Side 1, track 1, 1st album is “Introduction”, a medley of the styles they use, written by Terry Kath, the guitar player, with a voice like Ray Charles. If you start there and let it play, you can’t go wrong. There’s video of it too from the same show as this, Tanglewood, 1970. You can’t go wrong with anything really from their first few albums.
I think and believe that CHICAGO is one of those groups that each member could play at the highest level of their specific instrument. All of them...and the vocals...perfect. Me, I love them HORNS!
The energy of their live concerts was unbelievable. Saw them Dallas in the spring of 1971or 72. They performed Saturday in Park and other songs from the Chicago 5 album that had not even been released on top of all the classic singles that have come out by that time. The crowd gave him standing ovations over and over again and they came back out with no shoes or shirts in some cases and performed Free and Lowdown. Was unbelievably great 2 hours of talented music.
This song was performed while I was a sophomore in high school. Awesome music... haven't heard anything like them until Leonid & Friends brought them back and - heaven forbid - even surpassed Chicago! IMHO. BTW, thank you for honoring Jesus... so good to hear. God bless, Miles
In the Nancy Reagan "Just Say No" era the band had to come up with the story that this song was about writing in the early morning. This Chicago resident and other band fans from the era believed that the song is about whether to continue an acid trip with another 25 micrograms of LSD or take the edge off and start coming down with a Quaalude, a downer with the number 624 stamped on it. You have to put the song in the context of the whole early '70's vibe
So true. Quaaludes were actually Rorer 714's, but who's counting. You are close enough. I used to sell for Rorer Pharmaceuticals back in the early 80s. Thus, why do I know the number. There were so many Quaaludes on the street verus the pharmacies that Rorer finally had to discontinue manufacturing the 714's.
Also, the late great comedian George Carlin did a whole skit on Rorer 714's. He wore a t-shirt with a big tablet on the front with Rorer across the top circle of his shirt. Carlin's skit was funny as hell. Had me rolling since I used to work for the company the manufacturer of the drug back when I was a young man
@@M-zd8su Maybe there was some other downer in the '70's with a 624, the story was everywhere in Chicago back in the day. Regardless, I don't believe the '80's era explanation. Seems lame
I saw them a couple nights before this show plus two other times. They always sounded great. This song title had everybody scratching their heads until the obvious came out: It's a reference to what time it is on a late, late night of songwriting. Loved your reaction. And if commenters are rude, ignore them. Thousands of people are enjoying listening to music with you. 'Make Me Smile' is a great song to check out. It's fun because the guitar player is the lead singer and he has a uniquely soulful voice.
Just finished seeing them in concert (2024). The new singers did fine impressions of Pete and Terry. The horns were on time and in HARMONY. The only surviving member of the band was the trombone player who was dancing around the stage while playing his horn. The song "25 or 6 to 4" is i reference to the the time. Any student cramming for a final will understand running out of time with the test tomorrow morning. Great Show!
That my friends is the original band with all members! One of the greatest bands of all time, just saw them with Earth Wind and fire three weeks ago in Houston and they still rock!
A few tidbits: At the end of the song here, Peter Cetera (the singer/bass) says "Terry Kath" (the guitar player). Terry Kath himself was a rising star in guitar circles. He was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitar player and Jimi thought he was better than him. Peter Cetera developed the way he sings from a time where he suffered a broken jaw and had to sing while it was wired.
Yes, the description below is spot on, I didn't understand what the song meant when I first heard it. Bobby Lamb, the keyboardist, wrote the song and all of the guys were part of the band, they were one of the first rock bands with trumpets, trombone and woodwinds. Terry Kath, the guitarist tragically lost his life in an accidental shooting with a gun that he thought was empty and they were never the same after that. He was the heart and soul of the band. I bought everyone of their albums, and was a rock drummer in a local garage band in Kansas. I became a Christian after a near death drug overdose and became a Pastor 4 years later, now retired.
The song is about a musician staying up all night trying to write a song. In this case a real incident and then these words came to him. The title refers to the time- 25 or 26 to 4 A M. Or 25 or 6 to 4.
Chicago's Peter Cetera Was Once Attacked by 4 Marines the lead singer said “I had a broken jaw in three places and I was wired shut for a few months,” Cetera said in 2009. “And when they cut the wires off, I was always afraid of my jaw sticking open again, so I don’t really open my mouth a lot when I sing. It was at a baseball game "'F-ck you, hippie,' one of the Marines told Peter. He got up from his seat and pushed Peter down the stairs. When Peter regained his balance and started back up the stairs, another guy from the group hauled off with a right hook and hit him square in the face.” . Peace out.
Check out ... Chicago Ballad For A Girl In Buchannon Tanglewood.. The full, song is 14 minutes But it has been cut up. The record company cut out 2 parts of it to create 2 songs less then 3 minutes long because that was the time limit for AM radio which was standard in cars at that time. The ... Colour My World ... part became a mainstay in school dances.
I first saw Chicago three months before this performance May ‘70 at Nashaminy High School in Langhorne PA in the school gym! I was second row in front of Terry Kath there was no stage so he was right in front of me I could almost get hit by his hair. I was so blown away I formed my own 8piece horn band. 😎👍❤️
When Peter Cetera did this video he was 27-28 years old. He looked 18. In the 1980's and Chicago cut their hair and started doing ballads he was in his late 30's/early 40's and he looked 30, that is a baby face. I'm 58 and 5'4" worth of manhood and always thought I looked young, but I can't hold a candle to peter. He always looked much younger then he was. This song is not about drugs, but about a songwriter trying to finish a song. Staying up as long as it takes to finish a song.
Tanglewood is a beautiful venue in the town of Lenox in western Massachusetts. It's the "summer home" of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and during the 60s and 70s it was used for many epic concerts. Video of this entire concert is available on TH-cam as is a concert by Santana that took place the same year.
You have to put into context the vintage equipment ..no frills just pure raw talent period ..which made it even more special authentic and captivating and because of that music for the soul ..
The solo guitarist is one of the best that there was. It's legendary. I live in Chicago. The manager use to work for the city as I do now. He had a hotdog stand & managed the group & still is. I got to see Chicago live at 2 concerts back stage. My brother new the manager real well. All their songs were top charters. Do more of them you'll like it....
Chicago is my favorite group of all time. They came along in the60's and 70's. Rock/Pop struck a chord in society and they are some of the best musicians and songwriters there ever were.
If Chicago comes to a venue near you, GO! You’ll never be disappointed. Happy music! All of them are exceptional musicians. Even better today. The reason you can’t hear the words so well is because it’s live, and this isn’t the best quality recording of it. Get the words in front of you for the songs you watch. It will enrich your experience. Chicago songs: Saturdays in the Park, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Feelin Stronger Every Day, Make Me Smile, Beginnings just to name a few.
I saw them live at the University of Georgia in 1970 - I am 75yo and I remember it like it was yesterday! His solo lasted 25 minutes my watch! Sadly he died while clowning around with a gun that he thought was unloaded!
This is one of the best songs. Love the horns! They were referring to the time…25 or 26 to 4am. Trying to come up with a song and it was getting later. They are awesome and have some really good hits.
Long time urban legend says the a reporter asked Jimi Hendrix what its like being the greatest guitarist. Jimi answered I wouldnt know, ask Terry Kath. They were very good friends.
Keep in mind that this is 1970. LIVE PERFORMANCE!No studio magic, no special effects. Just pure talent. Thanks for the reaction.
Good point. But people take these old vids and pitch correct them. It's very common.
Honestly one of the greatest recorded guitar solos ever.
The 1 only Terry Kath... what a fucking tragedy his suicide was!
Absolutely a fact. When the great Jimi Hendrix said that Terry Kath of Chicago was the best rock guitarist in the world, that tells us something!
@green917 He was actually playing Russian Roulette, so yeah, not an outright suicide, but certainly death wish territory. That's the story, anyway. Hendrix thought he was mind-blowing, as others have pointed out, and his vocals were powerful, soulful, up there with the best. Truly one of the most overlooked musicians of rock. But ask musicians??? We all know. Kath, one of the G.O.A.T.'s. (Great songwriter too.)
Terry Kath was fantastic. He was so good that Jimi Hendrix was a fan.
Terry Kath was one of the best guitarist in Rock!!! He was covering rythm and lead guitar.
He was sitting in the floor ,it was 25 or 26 minutes til 4 am trying to write a song. And this is what he came up with
Excellent point, Bro 👌
@@MyboogerwontSurrender the youngsters do say 25 till 4, they are digital...3:35
the youngsters DON'T say 25 till 4, they are digital...3:35
@@csacsa8117wrong
you don't see "flashing lights against the sky" or a "room spinning deep" during songwriting. YOU figure it out.
This is a song about trying to write a song way late at night until early in the morning. It was 25 or 26 minutes to 4 AM. Finally, this song came out, a song about having trouble writing a song.
correct!!
And being stoned out of his mind
It’s also rumored to be about Cocaine.
That is, it is about the angst of a song writer (or any song writer). The Key, getting a song stuck in your head and trying to get it down on paper. I have friends who are musicians who tell me such stories.
You know Nothing!
There are those who say this is the greatest guitar solo ever. This video never gets old.
Hendrix said Terri was better!!
After the first time seeing this I watch it at least once a week for years now 👍
HIs solo on Live At Carnegie Hall during Southern California Purples is right up there.
For sheer variety of sound, speed and precision it is the type of solo that made Hendrix a fan of Terry Kath.
Superb but I think the record version is even superber. 😉
No auto-tune, no special processing. Raw rock n roll. It's a beautiful thing. ;0)
Terry Kath's solo in this is insane! RIP Terry!
RIP Terry…
@@walterfleury3840 one of the biggest tragedies in R&R history
@@leopresnell8653 I agree! Sad.
1 of the most unsung guitarists of all time (& he wasn't even really that unsung, at the time). He was 1 of the best ever!
This clip should come with a warning label “PREPARE TO BE BLOWN AWAY!”
One of the best guitar players ever Terry kath!!
Jimi Hendrix said he is the best guitarist he has ever heard ...
Specifically, someone asked Hendrix what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, and he said, "I don't know, you'd have to ask Terry Kath."
And an amazingly soulful singer. He was the heart and soul of the band.
Such a fantastic band, especially this era, when guitarist Terry Kath was still among us. Rest In Peace, Terry. ❤
When you see an old geezer like me you might remember, under my dull look - we were jammin to these songs😊
Somebody say geezer?
I'm 65 and probably banged my steering wheel too many times rocking out. Medical condition for 70s teenagers. Best time ever to be a teen. CB radios kept everyone in touch driving around. And the 8 tracks were playing gold thru 6x9 Jensens. Now those were 70s greatness.
@@valedslinger6290 And I was there!
The horns are part of the band. Lee Loughnane on trumpet, Walter Parazaider on sax, James Pankow on trombone, Danny Seraphine on drums, Robert Lamm on keyboards and vocals, Terry Kath on guitar and vocals, and Peter Cetera on bass and vocals.
All amazing musicians!!
They were all from the south side of Chicago in the Roseland neighborhood IIRC. I lived nearby some of them.
One of the best songs of the '70s, Chicago was tight.
Jimi Hendrix looked at us and said, 'You guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs and a guitar player who's better than me.
Early on, the lead singer, Peter Cetera, was out in LA at a Dodgers game. He ended up in a fight with some fans, and they broke his jaw! Doctors wired it shut, and he had to learn how to sing without opening his mouth very wide. He kept that sound and style his entire career.
The talent on that stage will never be repeated!
Check out cover band Leonid and Friends. They sound and perform just like Chicago' even better in some instances. They are Russian and don't speak English but sing in English. I am pretty sure they are living in the U.S. They tour the U.S. Definitely worth seeing them live. They have become friends with the real Chicago band and Chicago is happy that they are bringing back Chicago songs.
Just saw them here in Hawaii on 9/29/24...still, sounding great as ever!! THIS is their closing song and it was great to see my sons and other youngsters enjoying their time! Chicago is a rock band with HORNS!! HS and college bands STILL play their jams. And, their ballads are classic too! The 1970s...BEST decade of music!
This was written by Robert Lamm, who is a keyboard player and singer for Chicago. It's about trying to write a song, with the title referring to the time of day: either 3:35 a.m. (25 to 4) or 3:34 a.m. (26 to 4). Lamm explained on The Chris Isaak Hour: "I was living with a bunch of hippies up above Sunset Strip. One of the advantages of this particular house was that it was in the Hollywood Hills and I could look out over the city late at night. I wanted to try to describe the process of writing the song that I was writing. So, 'waiting for the break of day, searching for something to say, flashing lights against the sky' - there was a neon sign across the city. That song came from the fact that it was 25 or 6 to 4 a.m. in the morning when I looked at my watch - I was looking for a line to finish the chorus. Peace out.
This is the story I've always heard. Regardless it was the perfect vehicle for Terry Kath to demonstrate his mastery on guitar as well as the rest of the band showing how seamlessly they all integrated their talents to make a unique sound that never sounded out of place.
They were doing blow that night also . as per Terry's wife who was there .
the guitarist Terry Kath was so good and never got the props for how good he was. rip Terry
It is never too late to discover the guitar greatness Terry Kath. Then go watch him sing on "Make Me Smile" at that same concert to hear the depth of his vocal talent. He can also play bass, but no need, as Peter had that covered.
You can see why Jimi Hendrix was a big fan of Terry Kath's playing. RIP Terry.
It’s 4 in the morning, so 25 or 26 minutes to four. Up all night working on the music
I saw the Allman Brothers Band open for Chicago at the stony brook university gym on Long Island in the early 70s . At the time both bands still had all their original members. Absolutely incredible. Talent like that all under 1 roof is rare
They actually have three lead singers, the keyboard player, the bass player, and the guitar player. All have great voices and blend wonderfully.
Best rock live guitar solo all time, no question. Terry Kath RIP
This song was written about being in the studio still recording at 25 or 6 to 4 in the morning. Terry Kath the guitar player was a BEAST!!
Never thought I’d say I’m glad I’m 70 years old
AND I JUST TURNED 71 MYSELF ! I MISS THE 70S AND 80S ! THE BEST MUSIC EVER ! I SAW CHICAGO , BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS LONG AFTER TERRY ! I THINK THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR A GUITARIST ! BUT THE ONE THEY HAD WAS NOTHING SPECIAL ! THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEONE LIKE TERRY ! HOW DO YOU REPLACE AN MVP !
I was in college pulling an all nighter studying for one of my finals when this song came on the radio. I had been awake for about 30 hours and it was about 4 am. Suddenly the lyrics in this song made so much more sense to me. Also what you said about the compression and high production of music post 2010 as opposed to 1970 does make sense for the sound quality and listening to it now. But this band is brilliant and also yes everyone you see playing onstage is part of the band.
Chicago has a long list of hits. Their early music, when they were the CTA, are terrific!
RIP Terry Kath 😢 what a talent 😊
He was such a big person that the guitar looks so small in his hands.
Gone way to soon but will never be forgotten 😢
The lead player is Terry Kath. Jimmy Hendrix was asked what it felt like to be the world's best guitar player. His response was "I don't know ask terry Kath! " Ambassador Jenks
You have now witnessed what is highly regarded as one of the best live guitar solos ever recorded. Terry Kath was a musical genius. Taken from us way too soon. RIP guitar master.
The guitarist, Terry Kath, has an amazing voice too. Deep, full and rich, extremely soulful. A great song to hear hus voice is "Make Me Smile," because it also includes a face-melting guitar solo. But for a slow jam with Terry singing lead, I suggest either Colour My World (the song that launched a thousand junior proms), or Wishing You Were Here.
At the time when this song came out, there were very few digital clocks and even, watches. That's why it was more common to say, 26 to 4 as opposed to 3:34. And since it was analog, the minute hand, at some point is actually between 25 minutes and 26 minutes, so the time check is more understandable in that context.
I was 16 when this came out originally, and when I heard it the first time, I looked at my watch and it was 26 til 4. I swear!😎
The song is about a cocaine party.25 or 624 is in the morning.Should I do some more.Think about it
@@kevinmunley4729 I guess I was 12 hours off! Until now at age 70, I never new the true meaning by the songwriter. Thank You! 🤓
@@kevinmunley4729 wrong.
I suggest, "Beginnings", "Saturday In The Park", "Feeling Stronger Every Day" or "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is".
Make Me Smile. Will make you smile too!
I'm your basic old dude who saw them December 1969 in Frankfurt, Germany. I was stationed there in the US Army. I didn't know anything about the group, but I was blown away and the big hall was rockin.
Robert Lamm writing about writing a song, sitting up all night trying to come up with it, looks at the clock and it's 25 or (2)6 to 4(am)
When he hit the wah wah pedal it was over 🔥
More info: They started as Chicago Transit Authority until the city of Chicago threatened to sue them so they just dropped the Transit Authority and became just "Chicago".
I'm so happy she knows what compressing vocals is.
Jimmi Hendrix once said Terry Kath was the greatest guitarist ever. Keep that in mind as you listen to Chicago the Terry Kath years. His life tragically ended in 1978. This song is about an all nighter for a songwriter fighting writers block. It is 25 or 6 until 4 in the morning.
Hendrix was right to say that quote and he also said he plays better than me, very underrated guitarist and a underrated BLUE'SY raw vocalist too, in my top 10 greatest classic rock guitar hero's of all time (RIP) 🎸🎤
That guitar solo from Terry Kath is among the greatest ever recorded. Definitely the best caught on film. R.I.P. Terry Kath.
Too young to realize...
You just heard what may be the best live r&r guitar solo ever recorded. Dudes...
Terry does some singing too. You should watch Wishing You Were Here Terry sang most of that one, Peter Cetera sings one verse, and the Beach Boys doing backing vocals on it.
Don't feel bad; I've been listening to this song for 50 years and it still makes no sense! The lyrics do mean something, I just forget what it's about. Love it.
Questions 67 & 68.
Indeed, listen to both of the first two LPs in their entirety. Priceless look at the era.
Questions 67 & 68. Studio version
Their first album was a double album! And all of it was great. They were so good and so creative. Side 1, track 1, 1st album is “Introduction”, a medley of the styles they use, written by Terry Kath, the guitar player, with a voice like Ray Charles. If you start there and let it play, you can’t go wrong. There’s video of it too from the same show as this, Tanglewood, 1970. You can’t go wrong with anything really from their first few albums.
Well said. 👍
I think and believe that CHICAGO is one of those groups that each member could play at the highest level of their specific instrument. All of them...and the vocals...perfect. Me, I love them HORNS!
I don't think anyone was ever supposed to "get" it I believe the idea is to listen and be amazed. Mission accomplished.
The energy of their live concerts was unbelievable. Saw them Dallas in the spring of 1971or 72. They performed Saturday in Park and other songs from the Chicago 5 album that had not even been released on top of all the classic singles that have come out by that time. The crowd gave him standing ovations over and over again and they came back out with no shoes or shirts in some cases and performed Free and Lowdown. Was unbelievably great 2 hours of talented music.
During those years were the best time to see them live
Terry Kath wearing a Canadian Tuxedo wailing on that guitar. He was the BEST!
This song was performed while I was a sophomore in high school. Awesome music... haven't heard anything like them until Leonid & Friends brought them back and - heaven forbid - even surpassed Chicago! IMHO. BTW, thank you for honoring Jesus... so good to hear. God bless, Miles
You've got to listen to Beginnings and Color My World!!! I saw Chicago in the 70's and they ROCK!!!!
Show 'em, Terry ! One great rocker we do miss still.
In the Nancy Reagan "Just Say No" era the band had to come up with the story that this song was about writing in the early morning. This Chicago resident and other band fans from the era believed that the song is about whether to continue an acid trip with another 25 micrograms of LSD or take the edge off and start coming down with a Quaalude, a downer with the number 624 stamped on it. You have to put the song in the context of the whole early '70's vibe
So true. Quaaludes were actually Rorer 714's, but who's counting. You are close enough. I used to sell for Rorer Pharmaceuticals back in the early 80s. Thus, why do I know the number. There were so many Quaaludes on the street verus the pharmacies that Rorer finally had to discontinue manufacturing the 714's.
Also, the late great comedian George Carlin did a whole skit on Rorer 714's. He wore a t-shirt with a big tablet on the front with Rorer across the top circle of his shirt. Carlin's skit was funny as hell. Had me rolling since I used to work for the company the manufacturer of the drug back when I was a young man
@@M-zd8su Maybe there was some other downer in the '70's with a 624, the story was everywhere in Chicago back in the day. Regardless, I don't believe the '80's era explanation. Seems lame
I saw them a couple nights before this show plus two other times. They always sounded great. This song title had everybody scratching their heads until the obvious came out: It's a reference to what time it is on a late, late night of songwriting. Loved your reaction.
And if commenters are rude, ignore them. Thousands of people are enjoying listening to music with you. 'Make Me Smile' is a great song to check out. It's fun because the guitar player is the lead singer and he has a uniquely soulful voice.
From the same 1970 Tanglewood concert you must also do:
* Make Me Smile
* Beginnings
* I'm A Man
Just finished seeing them in concert (2024). The new singers did fine impressions of Pete and Terry. The horns were on time and in HARMONY. The only surviving member of the band was the trombone player who was dancing around the stage while playing his horn. The song "25 or 6 to 4" is i reference to the the time. Any student cramming for a final will understand running out of time with the test tomorrow morning. Great Show!
That my friends is the original band with all members! One of the greatest bands of all time, just saw them with Earth Wind and fire three weeks ago in Houston and they still rock!
A few tidbits: At the end of the song here, Peter Cetera (the singer/bass) says "Terry Kath" (the guitar player). Terry Kath himself was a rising star in guitar circles. He was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitar player and Jimi thought he was better than him. Peter Cetera developed the way he sings from a time where he suffered a broken jaw and had to sing while it was wired.
Agreed young lady, real people who understand the history of great music perform 😊
Originally called - Chicago Transit Authority ...
Better version of this song on album of the same name: Chicago Transit Authority. Lot of good music on that album.
Agree with you that It's so much cooler seeing it done live than just hearing it.
Yes, the description below is spot on, I didn't understand what the song meant when I first heard it. Bobby Lamb, the keyboardist, wrote the song and all of the guys were part of the band, they were one of the first rock bands with trumpets, trombone and woodwinds. Terry Kath, the guitarist tragically lost his life in an accidental shooting with a gun that he thought was empty and they were never the same after that. He was the heart and soul of the band. I bought everyone of their albums, and was a rock drummer in a local garage band in Kansas. I became a Christian after a near death drug overdose and became a Pastor 4 years later, now retired.
A standout performance from Terry Kath on lead guitar. Gone far too soon in 1978
The song is about a musician staying up all night trying to write a song. In this case a real incident and then these words came to him. The title refers to the time- 25 or 26 to 4 A M. Or 25 or 6 to 4.
If you think this is great, growing up with it was awesome .😊
They were up late, trying to write this song. It was “25 or (2)6 minutes until 4 am…25 or 6 to 4…..
Chicago's Peter Cetera Was Once Attacked by 4 Marines the lead singer said “I had a broken jaw in three places and I was wired shut for a few months,” Cetera said in 2009. “And when they cut the wires off, I was always afraid of my jaw sticking open again, so I don’t really open my mouth a lot when I sing. It was at a baseball game "'F-ck you, hippie,' one of the Marines told Peter. He got up from his seat and pushed Peter down the stairs. When Peter regained his balance and started back up the stairs, another guy from the group hauled off with a right hook and hit him square in the face.” . Peace out.
Check out ... Chicago Ballad For A Girl In Buchannon Tanglewood.. The full, song is 14 minutes But it has been cut up. The record company cut out 2 parts of it to create 2 songs less then 3 minutes long because that was the time limit for AM radio which was standard in cars at that time. The ... Colour My World ... part became a mainstay in school dances.
I first saw Chicago three months before this performance May ‘70 at Nashaminy High School in Langhorne PA in the school gym! I was second row in front of Terry Kath there was no stage so he was right in front of me I could almost get hit by his hair. I was so blown away I formed my own 8piece horn band. 😎👍❤️
When Peter Cetera did this video he was 27-28 years old. He looked 18. In the 1980's and Chicago cut their hair and started doing ballads he was in his late 30's/early 40's and he looked 30, that is a baby face. I'm 58 and 5'4" worth of manhood and always thought I looked young, but I can't hold a candle to peter. He always looked much younger then he was. This song is not about drugs, but about a songwriter trying to finish a song. Staying up as long as it takes to finish a song.
Peter turned 80 today - 9/13/24.
Loved this group since the late 60s..
All song lyrics are on the Internet. The topic of the song lyrics is clear as a bell
Tanglewood is a beautiful venue in the town of Lenox in western Massachusetts. It's the "summer home" of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and during the 60s and 70s it was used for many epic concerts. Video of this entire concert is available on TH-cam as is a concert by Santana that took place the same year.
Thanks for the info regarding Tanglewood
The tight necklace that the lead singer/bass player was wearing… back in the 70’s, those were called “chokers.”
I was 14 when these guys showd up on radio. I was hooked because I played brass.
Going to see Leonid & Friends tomorrow night. It’s going to be so great. This is my favorite Chicago song and they cover it perfectly.
Chicago have a great aray of music / songs ,one of my best concert s seeing them at Pine Knob Michigan in early 80's
You have to put into context the vintage equipment ..no frills just pure raw talent period ..which made it even more special authentic and captivating and because of that music for the soul ..
So true. Well said.
The solo guitarist is one of the best that there was. It's legendary. I live in Chicago. The manager use to work for the city as I do now. He had a hotdog stand & managed the group & still is. I got to see Chicago live at 2 concerts back stage. My brother new the manager real well. All their songs were top charters. Do more of them you'll like it....
Thanks for that cool info. 👍
So much talent
Terry kath was an amazing guitarist. He has been missed every day since his untimely death.
wow! Terry Katz who is the guitarist absolutely smokes.
I got blisters on my fingers type of smoking fast riffs
Terry Kath (RIP) one of the greatest guitar players in the world.Even admired by the great Jimmy Hendrix.
iconic song and band👍🔥👏😊🎸
This is 70’s fucking Rock!
Chicago is my favorite group of all time. They came along in the60's and 70's. Rock/Pop struck a chord in society and they are some of the best musicians and songwriters there ever were.
You stopped it right when I was about to groove on that fantastic guitar solo and started talking. Ack!
If Chicago comes to a venue near you, GO! You’ll never be disappointed. Happy music! All of them are exceptional musicians. Even better today. The reason you can’t hear the words so well is because it’s live, and this isn’t the best quality recording of it. Get the words in front of you for the songs you watch. It will enrich your experience. Chicago songs: Saturdays in the Park, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Feelin Stronger Every Day, Make Me Smile, Beginnings just to name a few.
What you want to take away from this is that you always, always, always assume an empty gun is loaded !
Well said. Terry was high and made the ultimate fatal mistake. He kept me practicing my guitar. Then suddenly he was gone way too soon.
Jimi Hendrix toured with Chicago and said Terry Kath was the world's best guitarist!
What a jam session
I saw them live at the University of Georgia in 1970 - I am 75yo and I remember it like it was yesterday! His solo lasted 25 minutes my watch! Sadly he died while clowning around with a gun that he thought was unloaded!
This is one of the best songs. Love the horns! They were referring to the time…25 or 26 to 4am. Trying to come up with a song and it was getting later. They are awesome and have some really good hits.
Listened to this song for years..never could figure out what it meant❤ finally someone explained it in the comments. It's so simple😂
ONE OF MY ÀLLTIME FAVORITE BANDS EVER, AM A BLK DUDE, WHO LOOOVE HORNS 🎷
Im 63 and have loved this song...didnt know what it was about till last year
Long time urban legend says the a reporter asked Jimi Hendrix what its like being the greatest guitarist. Jimi answered I wouldnt know, ask Terry Kath. They were very good friends.
No body understood what the words meant, except the band! They were smoking hot!