Actually, from what I read, Jimi said that Kath was the best guitarist in the universe. Not sure I agree but Jimi saw him live at Whiskey Go Go and I did not.
Jamel hey brother, this really isn't only about your "reactions" anymore. I can't speak for any other viewers/commenter but for me I enjoy listening to the music (most I know well) and I now It's as if I'm simultaneously listening with a friend but also watching that friend expand their musical world.... (not the best explanation). I enjoy watching your appreciation of the these great groups, your willingness to try something and see where it leads you... buddy that's how we were back in the day, eager to see where a newly discovered group or new album would take us, we kept an open mind and allowed ourselves to get lost in the awesome tunes.... I see this happening with you and it's great :) I keep saying to myself "he's only at the tip of the iceberg" meaning there is so much great music still ahead for you.
Chest Rockwell i was just thinking the same thing.. how it's not so much his reaction as it is to re- experience and enjoy it through his eyes and remember how much I liked this stuff lol
So weird, same thing here. I just started watching this channel tonight and watching someone listen to songs you grew up around for the first time adding their perspective almost refreshes the song for you. It reminds me of sharing a local dish. You grew up eating it but to watch a visitor find it for the first time reminds you how awesome it is even if you’ve had it often.
Watch the Terry Kath experience,done by his daughter.it has Joe walsch giving Terry Kath his high praise an many others saying Terry was. the best lead player of his time maybe all time when Joe Walsh says he don't know how he got those sounds from a strat that's saying something... love Terry he left us too soon 1978.
Hendrix had similar praise on a British talk show when he responded to the question, "are there any contemporaries who you look up to," and Hendrix said, "Terry Kath. " unfortunately, where does one go when a king crowns you?
The guitar solo featuring the fastest guitar player in the world at that time is kinda impressive. Yeah thanks man. Even Hendrix conceded to Kath, you're better than me.
I've probably heard that song a thousand times since I was a kid and it never gets old. It never occurs to me that there are still people just hearing it for the first time. What a blast to see that reaction.
It reminds me of how I felt the first time I heard it. Since you can never hear a song for the first time more than once watching someone else hear it for the first time is the closest I'll ever get to listening to it for the first time all over again.
My favorite guitar solo ever. So sad for Terry Kath's tragic accidental shooting of himself. I regret also the loss of whatever fantastic music he would have subsequently created had he lived.
Terry Kath on guitar. Eric Clapton said Terry was the real guitar god. Jimi Hendrix said Terry played better than he did. That’s all you need to know. Now go listen to more Terry Kath and Chicago.
Kevin Warren Hey K, I’m with you all the way. When Terry Kath died they changed direction completely and I jumped off the train at that point..completely lost interest.
I'm so happy Kath got a song that he could cut through the horn mix and shine. As mentioned Leonid and Friends does the cover amazingly in a studio mix environment
@Tom Carroll I believe it was something like a reporter asked Hendrix what it was like to be the greatest guitar player (in the world??) and Hendrix said, I don't know, what don't you go ask Terry Kath.
Terry Kath, one of the most EVER underrated guitarists in rock history. Jimmy Hendricks praised him and said he was better than himself when Chicago toured with him.
@@daddyebzy Thanks so much for the video. Brings back memories. I actually saw this show when they came to Arizona on this tour in 1970. I was a sophomore in high school and it was my very first concert! Beyond brilliant guitar, the best I've ever seen. And seen most of the greats.
According to a Chicago documentary I saw on Netflix, band members said Hendrix said to them (quote) “Your horns are like a set of lungs, and your guitarist is better than me.”
Yes, if you watch the documentary "Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago", they all took an equal share. Then after Terry's death, Peter Cetera decided he was "special" and needed 2 shares.
You got it, It's a song about writing a song. He'd been up all night trying to write it, noticed it was 25 or 26 minutes until 4 AM and wondered whether he should just give up.
@@kdm71291 yeah man, doing coke WHILST trying to write a song all night. Though I used to prefer Speedball, cocaine alone is difficult to focus concentration.
True. My left hand fingers burn along with my right hand when I do those flick offs, hammer ons, etc. Good thing I keep my hands and fingers from getting cramps. I get it some light massages on it occasionally.
Yep! Cuz he WAS better than Jimmy! Not to dis Jimmy! He was that good. Chicago never got back their mojo after Terry died but ppl might argue with me. I still love them but I find myself listening more to the old stuff. I wanted to go to a Chicago concert in the worst way but just couldn’t. Dang.
@@robinmartz9052 Kath was amazing. I remember my high school teacher telling me he had died, and I broke down crying. I still loved them after that, until Cetera left. The truly were too different at that point.
Basically true from what I've heard. It was written by Bobby Lamm the keyboardist, and I read that the title came from the answer he gave to someone asked what time it was, which was "It's 25 or 6 to four". Nice.
My dad f***ing loved this tune man, he'd be drunk as hell, in his pants with a whiskey in one hand and a cigar in the other dancing til the early hours!!!! 🤟🤟 RIP Daddio
Just for reference - back in the day while the rest of the guitarists were listening and fascinated by Jimi Hendrix - Hendrix was fascinated by Terry Kath,
robert putt i dont have a favorite band i grew up in the 60s and 70s and there was a lot of real good music unlike the garbage they have today but i always hated Chicago from the day they released their first song! If one of their songs came on the radio i couldnt change the station fast enough their music irritates me
"all these older bands how crazy good they sound. I can see why there is frustration with newer music" you nailed it. In those days every week a new great song would come out by a great band. Great music was a way of life.
Yeah. There was an art to music that’s missing these days. The Industry finds great, good or even passable singers and then pairs them up with what seems like the same musicians for the same type of songs, and they push those songs to popular media. I always like the comparison of some Beyoncé song to Bohemian Rhapsody. I don’t know if it was Beyoncé’s biggest hit or best song, but the contrast is insane. There are certainly some very talented bands and singers out there busting their asses not necessarily to be famous, but to play music. And they don’t get the recognition of the idol-types because they don’t fit the marketing mold. The sad part is, I’m not sure if Chicago would make it today. I don’t know if Boston, Genesis, Rush, ELO, Led Zeppelin, or any of the other really great bands of the 60s and 70s would make it in the modern music industry. Think about that. A band like this could play this song in front of a panel of judges and hear, “It’s a no from me, dawg.” And that is why I really hate the modern music industry.
Daniel Mchenry You are absolutely right. I was born in 55 and between elementary school starting in 1960 and finishing college in 1977, I lived through the greatest era of music imaginable. Beatles, Stones, CSNY, Simon & Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, America, CCR, and the list just goes on and on. The day the music died is now.
check out Rick Beato on youtube, he talks about this alot. new music is rigid because of overdependence on metronome and what's called Quantizing in the recording software. basically editing everything to be exactly on beat, but this tends to strips the song of life. Old bands didn't have this option, they played by feel. Keeping a consistent beat is not important, as long as the band is together. Important to let the music of the moment drive you (mostly the responsibility of the drummer)
The thing that kills me every time I hear 25 or 6 to 4 is the absolutely incredible horns. I don't think there's a more challenging or technically perfect session ever recorded.
I came to the comments specifically about the horns. The attack on that last note in that upward ba-da-da-da-da... DA that hits hard and cuts off quick and clean, gets me every single time - my musical terminology is for shit but I hope I'm making sense. Anyway, I arrived at the conclusion awhile ago, and nothing has since dissuaded me from it, that *horns make everything better*
The lead vocalist for this song was bassist Peter Cetera, a gifted tenor. The guitarist was the late Terry Kath (a fine baritone himself), the most incredible - and, sadly, under appreciated, musician who ever set his fingers to a fretboard. The writer was keyboardist Robert Lamm, who was the group's third lead singer. He (along with Cetera and trombonist James Pankow) was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Jamel, we don’t mind the pauses. That’s how we learned the lyrics, you keep picking up the needle from the album (yes, vinyl album), then try to put it back just far enough to hear lyrics again. We did that a million times to get it right. Many of us went through two or three albums because they got all scratched up from wear and tear. 😈🌹😈
i all ways thought it was about "How many JOINTS you should get from a phat quarter" of course when you're smoked to the gills everything is about gettin higher
25 or 26 minutes until 4 o'clock. 25 or 6 to 4 is the time on the clock on the wall he saw while writing this song. it is 3:35 or 3:34 (analog clocks with hands make it hard to be that specific about the EXACT time. 3:35 is 25 minutes to 4 o'clock, 3:34 is 26 minutes to 4 o'clock. Hence, 25 or 6 to 4"
That's like saying in The Beatles song, "Let it Be", when Paul McCartney says, "In times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me..." he's referring to marijuana, which is nonsense. He's referring to his mother whose name was Mary and who died when he was 14 from cancer. He was going through a rough time and had a dream about her telling him to just "let it be...", that things will get better.
Any song that includes Terry Kath is classic. Thankfully they made like 9 albums or so with him. Sadly the rest were not. ; ( Their first album is my personal fave
Jamal, As an "older" guy, seeing your reaction to the music that's been ubiquitous thoughout my life is simply amazing. Thank You! There's a backgound assumption that "everyone" has heard this music" (because it's been around so long), but to see and hear you listening for the first time is a joy. Led Zepplin, Rush, Chicago.... All truly awesome bands. I love your commentary on appreciating the "whole" band as apposed to just the lead singer. I would recommend watching a documentary on Chicago, very interesting history, including success and tragety.
There's a reason why Hendrix said that Terry Kath was his favorite guitar player shortly before his death. The entire guitar track in this song is SICK!
There's a lot of urban myths re: HENDRIX; Another, when he was asked "What does it feel like to be the greatest guitar player of all time"? His reply was "Dunno, you'd better ask Rory Gallagher" !
According to composer Robert Lamm, the song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am
So much talent in the 70s. I feel very lucky to have grown up in such a time. The music was epic. Doors, Chicago, Clapton, Page, Beck Stones Jethro Tull Credence and on and on. Amazing . Terry Kath was the guitarist who play that driving solo. Jamel is right it is hard to find anything that compares to what we have today. They became popular back then because of hard work and dedication to the craft. The cream (no pun intended) rose to the top.
Watch them do this Live at Tanglewood. They'll blow your mind. Baboom!!! I saw them live back in the day at....Carnegie Hall! It was amazing. And, he was sitting writing a song at either 25 or 6 to 4...4am in the morning.
I grew up with these guys literally in my back yard. I'm from Chicago the northwest side were they all grew up. Terry Kath on guitar went to my high school ( Taft HS ) and Seraphine on the drums with Cetera and Panko they were all locals in my neighborhood. They all played in the 60's as a garage band in my neighborhood. I knew they were great then as well as now.
Brian~ That must have been SOOoooo fun & is obviously memorable!! You can tell from my name I had the type of experiences w/ the hometown music Gods. Thx for sharing!!!
He has the right meaning. Robert Lamm, Chicago's Keyboardist, Lead Vocalist and song writer, said that it's about him writing the song and that it was written between 25 and 6 to 4 in the morning, and despite rumors, it's not about drugs.
@@skull4663 Yeah, it is. At first, I thought, _"What? Another classic he hasn't heard before?!"_ But then I realised he just enjoys the music however many times he may have heard it.
@William Stefens I think non-musicians relate to the singer the most because everybody sings to some degree and remembers lyrics. The singer is also the representative of the band. People who have some interest in playing tend to appreciate the musicianship. However, I agree that both the art and appreciation of good songwriting have taken a backseat, perhaps partly because of decades of DJs, boy/girl bands and a _business product_ approach to art.
When I was in high school, I LOOOOOOVED Chicago. I had every single one of their albums (yes, even when they went by the name Chicago Transit Authority). I went to see them in concert at Hughes Stadium on Sunday, July 6 (sadly, it wasn’t Saturday, 4th of July). They played with The Beach Boys and during the concert, they announced a “special” guest had flown in . . . it was Elton “Freaking” John. The crowd went wild. It was such a memorable concert.
Yes, this song was huge. It was a staple for many a high school pep band. So much talent in that band. My favorite era for them was when Terry was still alive and playing. Such intensity and I love the way they work in the horns, sax, and flute. They complimented each other so well.
Alright Jamel!!! Early Chicago. It’s about time!!! Gotta do Beginnings next. Terry Kath is one of the greatest guitar players ever. Jimi Hendrix thought he was better than him. It’s about trying to write THIS song, lol. BTW The live version of this at Tanglewood is totally off the charts
It was written at about 4 am, after lots of drink and smoke, cause someone asked what time it was and somebody said ...it's 25 or 6 to 4, like 25 or 26 to 4am. Everybody laughed and then it turned into a song.
@@patrickmurphy4585 You might have been thinking of someone else who died in a swimming pool. Kath accidentally shot himself in the head with his own gun, as described by an eye witness. Thinking it was unloaded, he put it to his temple and pulled the trigger, not realizing there was a round in the chamber. Regardless, it was a tragic way to go for an incredibly talented man.
@@patrickmurphy4585 Kath died eight days before his 32nd birthday. The 'accidental gunshot' wound that ContrarianCorner describes is correct. Not a suicide...Just arrogant and ignorant at one time. Terry's semi-automatic pistol had a round chambered (not established for certain if Terry knew this) but the gun would not fire without a magazine inserted. Lots of autos are designed that way. At some point, a clip was inserted and the stunt Terry had been pulling all party long, went horribly, horribly wrong. Don't point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
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.
“Talking about writing a song”. That’s what the title is about. They were up all night trying to finish the song. They completed it about 25/26 till 4 in the morning. I read this years ago. I love your videos. When you love music, you share it with your friends because you want them to appreciate it like you do. YOU are that friend whose experience we crave. Thanks!
it wasn't the band that was up, it was robert lamm in his house in hollywood, looking at the "flashing lights" of LA skyline. I believe the sun was peaking out eventually...implying he was up all night trying to write as many a musician will do!
Yes, back in the day- when the instruments were just as important as the vocals. These days it feels like the instruments are fillers between the lines.
@Judi Dipillo There are synth players with great talent, Nick Rhodes for instance. Unfortunately all we are getting is barely passable when you think of what a talented artist could craft with it.
And Danny Seraphine on drums was fantastic. He is so under-rated, Using basically a starter-kit he could make Neil Peart and his gazillion drums & cymbals sound like a kid banging on mom's pot & pans
Jamal, I must tell you this. I am 67 years old. When I was a teenager me and my best friend were together listening to 25 or 6 to four for the first time, I had just scored the album. The look on his face was exactly like yours when you started jamming to this. Your delving into and presenting these far out old tunes goes beyond just the subject matter. Now time travel is included.
Tamil R Sued ALL of CHICAGO's work's are true Masterpieces it is just the levels of appreciative discernment to the human ears mind to comprehend & analyze accept their musical spectrums of worth to one another
My ultimate favorite group of my school days. I love that every musician playing was the band of Chicago. What you heard recorded you heard the same live in concert. Incredible big bands of the 70's. So glad you're listening to them and loving them.
That's correct. Hendrix jammed with Kath and the band, and was in the process of joining Chicago when disaster struck. He loved the sound of "rock and roll with horns", and if you listen carefully to Kath, you can see why Hendrix was a fan. Kath was a beast.
The song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am.
@@gardengirl694 Perhaps you should explain that to Bob Lamm, who wrote the song. He seems to feel that it refers to writing a song in the middle of the night. He'll be surprised to know he was wrong, I'm sure.
@@gardengirl694 I bought the album the week it came out, sister. There were always a variety of opinions about the meaning of this song, which is why Lamm clarified things. Nobody is begrudging you your opinion, but that doesn't make it fact.
@@bluesman3232 The story I heard is that he was playing around with the gun and someone told him to be careful and he put the gun to his head and said, "It isn't loaded". Famous last words.
Absolutely. Check out their live version from the July 21 1970 Tanglewood concert. It is here on RUclips. Not only does he get longer to improvise, you get so see him in action. So sorry that we lost him at such a young age.
My husband and I met over a Chicago song, “Just You and Me”, in our college band room. He plays trombone, and used the intro as part of his warmup. I play woodwinds.
Compliment for you, Jamel. There's something you do that (as far as I can remember) no one else does: When you pause the song for a comment or a reaction or a laugh you back the song up a bit so we can reestablish our groove before the new part picks up. That is so wonderful! Sometimes, when you pause, it's at a point when something; a solo, a vocal, but something which is EPIC, perhaps the best part of the song-and I scream inside a bit, because I'm IN the song and it hurts to have it interrupted. But, you back it up before you restart it so I (we) can re-experience the groove and be back in the song for the next bit. Thank you for that. Also, I love your intro with the bit that reminds me of a late 1950's - early 1960's prime-time sit-com. It's great!
Takes me right back to HIGH school in the 70's. Every HIGH school marching band was playing this song, especially with the huge horn section. You didn't say anything about the horn section, the best horn section in rock. Certainly wakes you up in the morning - I remember.
Yep. I was in stage band on bari sax and I had to carry that repetitive bass line in 25 or 6 to 4. I liked the song (still do) but playing it wasn't a lot of fun.
This reminds me of the days back in the 60s/70s when someone would get a new album and be so excited about it that they had to share it with all their friends. That love for music is something you just don't experience as much these days. Music is so often just background noise. Thanks Jamel for letting us relive that again.
Yes. If you haven’t seen it, check out this amazing documentary that his daughter Michelle produced called The Terry Kath Experience. www.terrykath.com/
This first album, Chicago Transit Authority, is the happiest album I've ever heard. After this, their songs became like everyone else's songs - singing about the torture of love and broken hearts - but this one was just joy upon joy. Smoking a blunt and listening to the jam on side 2 was so exciting and thrilling.
Hi I’am 66 years old. When this song came out I was 15. We were under the impression that this song was about doing LSD, the bass player did the vocals. The guitarist Terry k. Was one of the greatest guitarists at that time. He died in in the 70’s by an accidental gunshot wound. Great band.
Valerie Adams I'm a couple years older than you and played in rock bands of that era. There is no question the song is about drugs. The intensity of the vocals and instruments reverberates with the agony and ecstasy of being high. "Should I quit or do some more?" The eternal question.
They were all sitting in the recording studio after trying all night to write something. One of the band asked what the time was and a band member said “it’s 25 or 6 to 4”, meaning 25 or 26 to 4:00am. It was just an odd phrasing that struck them as funny so they wrote the song then and there.
So why not throw some Spenser Davis Group into the pot with "Gimme Some Lovin'"? You'll love it Jamel....especially listening to teen-aged Steve Winwoods vocals.
My dad managed a bowling alley in the early 1970’s in Odessa Texas. Chicago came into the bowling alley around 11 pm after performing a concert. My dad cleared the entire bowling alley so they could have it to them self’s. He called my teenage sisters so they could meet the band. They were all very down to earth, nice guys. They bowled til about 3am.
This was a music that powered a lot of people , a generation of musicians and radio stations who shaped a lot of great music that was / is simply the best!
That guitarist was Terry Kath, an amazing player. I found the band first through their 4th album, a 4 reord set recorded live at Carnegie Hall. The live eversion of this song shows Terry's awesome ability to play both rhythm and lead, at the same time no overdubs when you're live. Even Hendrix hired the band as his opening act on the road thinking Terry played better than he did. Sadly he passed while still a young man, but he inspired many guitarists to actually study what music is.
I recall writing a 26-page paper on the Shakespeare play "Coriolanus" in college & as I finished up in the early morning hours, I knew I had had to wait to sleep because the paper was due that day at my 8 a.m. class. I turned on the classic rock station that morning to this song playing. Serendipity.
Getting such a kick watching you react to this amazing song. I was a kid when I first heard this song and I laughed during the guitar solo because it blew my mind as a kid. Still listening almost 40 years later. Love your reaction to Peter Cetera's voice. I've been loving his voice for decades. And you know that Chicago shared this video on their FB page, so you got their attention! And thanks for talking about Rush, my other favorite band! Just so you know the lineup from that album: Peter Cetera - Lead vocals and bass Terry Kath - Mind-blowing guitars and backing vocals Robert Lamm - Keyboards and vocals Walter Parazaider - Saxaphone James Pankow - Trombone Lee Loughnane - Trumpet, backing vocals Danny Seraphine - Drums, Percussion
Two comments: 1. You honored them and they honored you back. Beautiful! 2. The meaning is literal. Robert Lamm was having writers block and was up at "25 or 26 minutes to 4AM trying to write. The song tells the story! Peter Cetera sang. Terry Kath on guitar. My band was literally in tears when Terry died. Great reaction video!
@@alcrespo6707 Cite your source Al! I have been a professional musician for over 40 years. The story is very common knowledge. Now Blue Cheer...they could talk to you about LSD!
@@heatherams2732 An unsung hero in some ways. My first "pro bass" was a Gibson G3 which shared the same body shape as Pete's Ripper. The dealer was not going to be able to get a Ripper for weeks so being young and impatient I settled. He was a huge influence on my playing before I discovered Jaco or Stanley.
Jamel, of all the reactor's out there, you get it more than any other. You obviously do enjoy most of the music you review and your comments are intelligent and to the point. Keep on man, you entertain me during the pandemic.
I’ve always loved their music! I actually tried out for drill team in high school to this song. Think you so much for turning others onto Some of the best music ever recorded
Olga, in the end it seems Cetera turned into a problematic diva. If you're interested you might check out the following video: Why Peter Cetera Left Chicago (posted by: The Real Music Observer).
@@CP-lp9pb probably my preference as well. I also realize that without the old blues guitarist, we would not have had bands like the stones and Clapton
J A Breck ~~~Yes it was a great time to be alive and the concerts were the absolute best!! Only one I did not go to was the Beetles at Dodger Stadium now with George gone wish I had!
Late great Terry Kath I am named after him, Chicago was my dad's favorite band, awesome group. Terry Kath is the most underrated guitarist ever , Jimi Hendrix of all ppl said TK was his favorite guitarist
No autotune, no canned beats off a machine with a lack luster feeling-- vs real singers and musicians! When musicians play, there is a completely different feeling than to create off of a machine!
Exactly. Chicago played everything raw. Today, that's one of the things I like most about them. Just the guys, their instruments, and microphones. No enhancement needed. Raw music. After listening for over 50 years, it still sounds fantastic. The same with the Beach Boys. The Beach Boys sometimes did a lot of editing, but the sound is all raw. Growing up in Los Angeles / Hollywood, I greatly enjoyed the fact that both bands liked each other and often joined up. Put Chicago and the Beach Boys on a stage together, playing each other's songs, and you get a sound you've never heard before or since. Mind-blowing.
@@JoanneJaworski It was. The two bands were good friends and jammed together anyway, knew all of each other's material. So, it wasn't like they had to rehearse for a performance, just get up on stage and do what they did for fun anyway. The resulting sound was jaw-dropping.
Makes me happy to see your reaction. I grew up with this band and they were huge. Loved them. Terry Kath is one of my favorite guitarists. They had 3 horn players which was very unusual for the time.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Terry Kath is the most underrated guitarist in music. Jimi Hendrix had extremely high praise for him.
Jimi also said the horns sounded like the came from one breath. That's how tight they sound. Can't beat the classics
You are correct
Just greasin it up folks just greasin it up. Terry was criminally underrated.
Actually, from what I read, Jimi said that Kath was the best guitarist in the universe. Not sure I agree but Jimi saw him live at Whiskey Go Go and I did not.
Yes. Jimi said "that dude is better than me" something along those lines.
Not knowing Chicago is like never having tasted ice cream.
Great 👍🏻 analogy my friend!! Ice cream 🍦 sounds good now! 🤣✌🏻
I love some icecream every Saturday in the park.
@@chefpegleg1 Wasn't it the fourth of July? :P
Not knowing the first five chicago albums
@@whiterabbit75 You know, I think it was.
Jamel hey brother, this really isn't only about your "reactions" anymore. I can't speak for any other viewers/commenter but for me I enjoy listening to the music (most I know well) and I now It's as if I'm simultaneously listening with a friend but also watching that friend expand their musical world.... (not the best explanation). I enjoy watching your appreciation of the these great groups, your willingness to try something and see where it leads you... buddy that's how we were back in the day, eager to see where a newly discovered group or new album would take us, we kept an open mind and allowed ourselves to get lost in the awesome tunes.... I see this happening with you and it's great :)
I keep saying to myself "he's only at the tip of the iceberg" meaning there is so much great music still ahead for you.
Chest Rockwell i was just thinking the same thing.. how it's not so much his reaction as it is to re- experience and enjoy it through his eyes and remember how much I liked this stuff lol
So weird, same thing here. I just started watching this channel tonight and watching someone listen to songs you grew up around for the first time adding their perspective almost refreshes the song for you. It reminds me of sharing a local dish. You grew up eating it but to watch a visitor find it for the first time reminds you how awesome it is even if you’ve had it often.
Likewise . I fall in love with the song again .
K
Chest Rockwell exactly that.
Jimi Hendrix actually said, "Your horns play with one set of lungs and your guitarist is better than me!"
Listen to the live version of this song
Watch the Terry Kath experience,done by his daughter.it has Joe walsch giving Terry Kath his high praise an many others saying Terry was. the best lead player of his time maybe all time when Joe Walsh says he don't know how he got those sounds from a strat that's saying something... love Terry he left us too soon 1978.
Hendrix had similar praise on a British talk show when he responded to the question, "are there any contemporaries who you look up to," and Hendrix said, "Terry Kath. " unfortunately, where does one go when a king crowns you?
I've always heard that Hendrix was a fan but never heard the actual quote. He was right on.
Check out Leonid and friends doing this tune...it'll blow you away❤
The guitar solo is definitely impressive, but credit where credit is due: those horns are TIGHT.
Truth....Jimmy, Walt, and Lee........
The guitar solo featuring the fastest guitar player in the world at that time is kinda impressive. Yeah thanks man. Even Hendrix conceded to Kath, you're better than me.
Terry was one of the best guitar players ever. Look on the live version of this from tangelwood 1970 and skip to the solo.
All true. This is one very talented and tight band.
Ever hear Tower of Power?
I've probably heard that song a thousand times since I was a kid and it never gets old. It never occurs to me that there are still people just hearing it for the first time. What a blast to see that reaction.
And crank it every time, until the last note.
Still sounds as good today as the first time i heard it in 1970 !!!
It reminds me of how I felt the first time I heard it. Since you can never hear a song for the first time more than once watching someone else hear it for the first time is the closest I'll ever get to listening to it for the first time all over again.
I’ve seen Chicago live I don’t know how many times. I’d guess close to 20. Their old stuff is so amazing it blows my mind.
Terry Kath, baby! He really was something else. There'll never be another R.I.P.
One of the best. Only the good die young. So true!
@@loumelillo1790 playing with a gun, thought it wasn't loaded, but it was. Very sad and a great loss.
Rip Terry Kath
Close, these guys cover Chicago well: ruclips.net/video/9_torOTK5qc/видео.html
My favorite guitar solo ever. So sad for Terry Kath's tragic accidental shooting of himself. I regret also the loss of whatever fantastic music he would have subsequently created had he lived.
Terry Kath on guitar. Eric Clapton said Terry was the real guitar god. Jimi Hendrix said Terry played better than he did. That’s all you need to know. Now go listen to more Terry Kath and Chicago.
Kevin Warren Hey K, I’m with you all the way. When Terry Kath died they changed direction completely and I jumped off the train at that point..completely lost interest.
I'm glad someone mentioned this, it's important to state the magnitude of Terry Kath
I'm so happy Kath got a song that he could cut through the horn mix and shine. As mentioned Leonid and Friends does the cover amazingly in a studio mix environment
Kevin Warren Terry Kath was taken from us wayyy to early. Genius
@Tom Carroll I believe it was something like a reporter asked Hendrix what it was like to be the greatest guitar player (in the world??) and Hendrix said, I don't know, what don't you go ask Terry Kath.
Terry Kath, one of the most EVER underrated guitarists in rock history. Jimmy Hendricks praised him and said he was better than himself when Chicago toured with him.
ABSALUTLY RIGHT ON🤙
ruclips.net/video/7uAUoz7jimg/видео.html
@@daddyebzy best version of this song eh
@@daddyebzy Thanks so much for the video. Brings back memories. I actually saw this show when they came to Arizona on this tour in 1970. I was a sophomore in high school and it was my very first concert! Beyond brilliant guitar, the best I've ever seen. And seen most of the greats.
True story.
Terry Kath was a hugely underrated guitarist, one of Hendrix's personal favorites.
gullrock george did you see the documentary his daughter did about the search for his guitar?
I unliked my like just to like it again. RIP TERRY
According to a Chicago documentary I saw on Netflix, band members said Hendrix said to them (quote) “Your horns are like a set of lungs, and your guitarist is better than me.”
He was a BEAST!!!!
Hendrix loved Kath enough said
Chicago is the sound of all members of the band, not just the singers.
Yes, if you watch the documentary "Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago", they all took an equal share. Then after Terry's death, Peter Cetera decided he was "special" and needed 2 shares.
You got it, It's a song about writing a song. He'd been up all night trying to write it, noticed it was 25 or 26 minutes until 4 AM and wondered whether he should just give up.
Actually Terry's wife said it was about doing more coke. It was in searching for Terry Kath.
Yeah I always thought it was about doing coke 'till the wee hours of the morning.
I watched the doc about Terry Kath the other day, and I'm sure there are elements of all the things listed here in that song.
@@kdm71291 yeah man, doing coke WHILST trying to write a song all night. Though I used to prefer Speedball, cocaine alone is difficult to focus concentration.
Kids, if you’re reading this don’t do coke. It’s a hell of a drug and just bad news
“That guitar solo is on fire” that’s what Jimi Hendrix said.
True. My left hand fingers burn along with my right hand when I do those flick offs, hammer ons, etc. Good thing I keep my hands and fingers from getting cramps. I get it some light massages on it occasionally.
Hendrix called Terry Kath the “Best Guitarist in the Universe.” If that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is.
I enjoy your videos. Keep it up.
Indeed. His death was a monumental loss.
beautiful guitar riffs, clean and functional
Absolutely!
Yep! Cuz he WAS better than Jimmy! Not to dis Jimmy! He was that good. Chicago never got back their mojo after Terry died but ppl might argue with me. I still love them but I find myself listening more to the old stuff. I wanted to go to a Chicago concert in the worst way but just couldn’t. Dang.
@@robinmartz9052 Kath was amazing. I remember my high school teacher telling me he had died, and I broke down crying. I still loved them after that, until Cetera left. The truly were too different at that point.
The song's message is basically, "so you want to be a musician? Here's what the grind looks like."
Practicing may feel like a grind but ah.... here's what practicing can do ... and vision, of course.
Yep, lol!
Holy junk. Perfect accession.
Basically true from what I've heard. It was written by Bobby Lamm the keyboardist, and I read that the title came from the answer he gave to someone asked what time it was, which was "It's 25 or 6 to four". Nice.
Perfect summation!
"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" "Beginnings" "Saturday In The Park" "Questions 67 & 68" are some more early Chicago songs to check out
Oh yeah, and I love Make Me Smile and Dialogue...they were truly great - one of the best-ever - in their early years.
Don't forget Feeling Stronger Every Day.
Roger's suggestions plus Jaime's suggestion are exactly what I would suggest.
Absolutely. The early material from Chicago is some of their best work.
Peter Cetera hated singing Saturday in the Park...he called it the Howdy Doody song
My dad f***ing loved this tune man, he'd be drunk as hell, in his pants with a whiskey in one hand and a cigar in the other dancing til the early hours!!!! 🤟🤟 RIP Daddio
Hell yeah! My dad loved this band. I'll toast your dad the next time I have a whiskey. RIP to both our dads!!
@@glasspez Msg on ere when ya do, ill raise one with ya 🤟
My dad too. He passed almost a year ago but all these songs remind me of his awesome taste in music.
God bless him.
@@glasspez Me to.
I'm in my 50s and seeing younger folks give this stuff a listen, and truly getting it, is so much fun! I'm glad you love it!
I'm 68 and am also thrilled that some kids like this music. Bright kids !!
Agreed! 53 here.
62 here. Jamal your reaction was my reaction years ago. Love it, so enjoying your response and, getting to here it again.
very well said
I'm in my 50s and still can't wrap my head around the fact that there are already a few generations who have never heard this stuff...
I was ten years old when this song came out. I'm sixty-two now and this song still moves me.
69 loved it then … love it now … it stands up against anything out there!
Just for reference - back in the day while the rest of the guitarists were listening and fascinated by Jimi Hendrix - Hendrix was fascinated by Terry Kath,
really ?
@@elizabethsteele4633 yep
Ross: Kath will always be the most underrated guitar player in rock history. He was nothing short of brilliant.
Ross Hibler i saw them perform this live the concert was amazing!!!!!
Terry Kath was an amazing guitarist. It's sad he passed to early.
It's great to see a brother Stunned at music that's been around for eons. We love your reactions man.
Chicago didn’t ever make a bad song. I’ve been listening to them for YEARS!
I heard Trump is sending in the Police to clean up Chicago's stuff. that's gonna Sting.
Agreed! They are my favorite band
In my opinoin they never made a good song! They sound like a bunch girls with dildos in there asses
robert putt i dont have a favorite band i grew up in the 60s and 70s and there was a lot of real good music unlike the garbage they have today but i always hated Chicago from the day they released their first song! If one of their songs came on the radio i couldnt change the station fast enough their music irritates me
Terry Kath was a force of nature on guitar.
Absolutely!!✌️
"all these older bands how crazy good they sound. I can see why there is frustration with newer music" you nailed it. In those days every week a new great song would come out by a great band. Great music was a way of life.
Yeah. There was an art to music that’s missing these days. The Industry finds great, good or even passable singers and then pairs them up with what seems like the same musicians for the same type of songs, and they push those songs to popular media. I always like the comparison of some Beyoncé song to Bohemian Rhapsody. I don’t know if it was Beyoncé’s biggest hit or best song, but the contrast is insane. There are certainly some very talented bands and singers out there busting their asses not necessarily to be famous, but to play music. And they don’t get the recognition of the idol-types because they don’t fit the marketing mold.
The sad part is, I’m not sure if Chicago would make it today. I don’t know if Boston, Genesis, Rush, ELO, Led Zeppelin, or any of the other really great bands of the 60s and 70s would make it in the modern music industry. Think about that. A band like this could play this song in front of a panel of judges and hear, “It’s a no from me, dawg.” And that is why I really hate the modern music industry.
Daniel Mchenry You are absolutely right. I was born in 55 and between elementary school starting in 1960 and finishing college in 1977, I lived through the greatest era of music imaginable. Beatles, Stones, CSNY, Simon & Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, America, CCR, and the list just goes on and on. The day the music died is now.
check out Rick Beato on youtube, he talks about this alot. new music is rigid because of overdependence on metronome and what's called Quantizing in the recording software. basically editing everything to be exactly on beat, but this tends to strips the song of life. Old bands didn't have this option, they played by feel. Keeping a consistent beat is not important, as long as the band is together. Important to let the music of the moment drive you (mostly the responsibility of the drummer)
We had our crap songs too, back in the day. The good ones lasted.
@@JoeHamelin
My shirona
Nice to see a young man like yourself, getting joy out of some of the best music ever made. God bless you.
The thing that kills me every time I hear 25 or 6 to 4 is the absolutely incredible horns. I don't think there's a more challenging or technically perfect session ever recorded.
I'm with ya there. That brass just screams.
I dunno Steely Dan and EWF had some incredible horns lol
Spinolio , was a blast playing , did Trumpet , was part of our Marching Band set
Amazing horns. The original group was amazing. Terry Kath's death was a monumental loss.
I came to the comments specifically about the horns. The attack on that last note in that upward ba-da-da-da-da... DA that hits hard and cuts off quick and clean, gets me every single time - my musical terminology is for shit but I hope I'm making sense.
Anyway, I arrived at the conclusion awhile ago, and nothing has since dissuaded me from it, that *horns make everything better*
The lead vocalist for this song was bassist Peter Cetera, a gifted tenor. The guitarist was the late Terry Kath (a fine baritone himself), the most incredible - and, sadly, under appreciated, musician who ever set his fingers to a fretboard. The writer was keyboardist Robert Lamm, who was the group's third lead singer. He (along with Cetera and trombonist James Pankow) was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Jamel, we don’t mind the pauses.
That’s how we learned the lyrics, you keep picking up the needle from the album (yes, vinyl album), then try to put it back just far enough to hear lyrics again. We did that a million times to get it right.
Many of us went through two or three albums because they got all scratched up from wear and tear.
😈🌹😈
Jamal, if anyone ever tells you that horns don't belong in Rock n Roll, direct them to Chicago!
If AC/DC can have a hit with an out of tune bagpipe.......any instrument is on the table when it comes to rock!!!
Not a wasted note in the bunch. There's true genius in their compositions.
I love good horns in Rock. That is why I rock Klipsch speakers.
Or Dog fashion disco... they are weird with horns! And metal
or Jethro Tull with a flute
You nailed it Jamel. The song is about staying up late, like 25 or 26 minutes until 4am, trying to write/finish writing a song
This song.
It's about acid
i all ways thought it was about "How many JOINTS you should get from a phat quarter" of course when you're smoked to the gills everything is about gettin higher
@@christopherbaker2632 hahaha interesting take!
@@youthinasia9523 it’s not. It’s about the actual time of day in which the song was written.
25 or 26 minutes until 4 o'clock. 25 or 6 to 4 is the time on the clock on the wall he saw while writing this song. it is 3:35 or 3:34 (analog clocks with hands make it hard to be that specific about the EXACT time. 3:35 is 25 minutes to 4 o'clock, 3:34 is 26 minutes to 4 o'clock. Hence, 25 or 6 to 4"
@Jim Fisher you obviously didnt watch the interview on youtube where peter cetera explains the lyics. Maybe watch that?
@Jim Fisher Sorry, man, but it's about being up for HOURS trying to write songs for an album on deadline. The tripping theory is more fun, though.
@Jim Fisher It's not about LSD.
That's like saying in The Beatles song, "Let it Be", when Paul McCartney says, "In times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me..." he's referring to marijuana, which is nonsense. He's referring to his mother whose name was Mary and who died when he was 14 from cancer. He was going through a rough time and had a dream about her telling him to just "let it be...", that things will get better.
@Jim Fisher
no it's not, it is about writing this song.
I saw them at Tanglewood, Ma. in 71. Terry Kath introduced this song as a song about itself.
You need the Live Version. 1970 Tanglewood. You will see how great of a guitar player this is.
Absolutely!
Yes! i just commented the same thing. One of the best solos ever. Kath is a god.
The solo is unreal on that live version.
definitely!!!
that Tanglewood gig could seriously mess you up, what a band!
“Make me smile” is another good one from Chicago
Love that song!!
LIVE FROM TANGLEWOOD 1970!
Any song that includes Terry Kath is classic. Thankfully they made like 9 albums or so with him. Sadly the rest were not. ; (
Their first album is my personal fave
My personal favorite. Kath's vocals are amazing.
You would probably like "Feeling stronger everyday". Chicago has many great songs to choose from.
Awesome tune!!
Definitely my favorite Chicago song!
Yes, "Feeling Stronger Everyday", but the Extended version. The percussion break-out at the end is amazing!
Yes, please react to this song!
My favorite Chicago song
I really think this should be the answer song to “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is”
YES
Does anybody really care? 😉
Yup
Jamal,
As an "older" guy, seeing your reaction to the music that's been ubiquitous thoughout my life is simply amazing. Thank You!
There's a backgound assumption that "everyone" has heard this music" (because it's been around so long), but to see and hear you listening for the first time is a joy.
Led Zepplin, Rush, Chicago.... All truly awesome bands. I love your commentary on appreciating the "whole" band as apposed to just the lead singer.
I would recommend watching a documentary on Chicago, very interesting history, including success and tragety.
There's a reason why Hendrix said that Terry Kath was his favorite guitar player shortly before his death. The entire guitar track in this song is SICK!
Billy Gibbons has entered the chat
There's a lot of urban myths re: HENDRIX; Another, when he was asked "What does it feel like to be the greatest guitar player of all time"? His reply was "Dunno, you'd better ask Rory Gallagher" !
@@Exisles
Roy Buchanan
Because its 3:34 or 3:35 in the morning. Too many party favors.
@@Exisles I've heard it about Rory, Terry Kath and Billy Gibbons all monster guitarists. Who knows if any of them are true.
According to composer Robert Lamm, the song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am
Yep. There was a lot of pressure to release a second album ASAP, and some of the guys has songwriter's block.
I agree but I’m sure a lot of coke was involved also
Always wondered about the title. Thanks.
@@lynlo469 I doubt that they had the money for cocaine yet. That shit was still really fuckin' expensive in 1970. Meth was more likely.
I was surprised how quickly he picked up on that. Most people go right to drugs. lol
So much talent in the 70s. I feel very lucky to have grown up in such a time. The music was epic. Doors, Chicago, Clapton, Page, Beck Stones Jethro Tull Credence and on and on. Amazing . Terry Kath was the guitarist who play that driving solo. Jamel is right it is hard to find anything that compares to what we have today. They became popular back then because of hard work and dedication to the craft. The cream (no pun intended) rose to the top.
ROCK WILL LIVE FOREVER!!!
Oh, I love to drive to FREEBIRD!!!
Watch them do this Live at Tanglewood. They'll blow your mind. Baboom!!! I saw them live back in the day at....Carnegie Hall! It was amazing. And, he was sitting writing a song at either 25 or 6 to 4...4am in the morning.
I grew up with these guys literally in my back yard. I'm from Chicago the northwest side were they all grew up. Terry Kath on guitar went to my high school ( Taft HS ) and Seraphine on the drums with Cetera and Panko they were all locals in my neighborhood. They all played in the 60's as a garage band in my neighborhood. I knew they were great then as well as now.
That is amazing and what a story to tell. Thanks for sharing.
Brian~ That must have been SOOoooo fun & is obviously memorable!! You can tell from my name I had the type of experiences w/ the hometown music Gods. Thx for sharing!!!
Wow,!! What a great feeling to see greatness in the making!!
WOW I envy you straight up
Are you talking about Taft high school in California?? I went there also
I like that Jamal listens to and tries to understand the meaning of the lyrics.
He has the right meaning. Robert Lamm, Chicago's Keyboardist, Lead Vocalist and song writer, said that it's about him writing the song and that it was written between 25 and 6 to 4 in the morning, and despite rumors, it's not about drugs.
Its great to see him enjoy the music
@@skull4663 Yeah, it is. At first, I thought, _"What? Another classic he hasn't heard before?!"_ But then I realised he just enjoys the music however many times he may have heard it.
Douglas Skinner isn’t that also the answer to, does anybody know what time it is?
@William Stefens I think non-musicians relate to the singer the most because everybody sings to some degree and remembers lyrics. The singer is also the representative of the band. People who have some interest in playing tend to appreciate the musicianship. However, I agree that both the art and appreciation of good songwriting have taken a backseat, perhaps partly because of decades of DJs, boy/girl bands and a _business product_ approach to art.
This song is perfection a absolute masterpiece. Has everything... we need more songs rockin like this today.
I fell in love with that guitar solo 50 years ago, and the love has never left me.
Me too.
When I was in high school, I LOOOOOOVED Chicago. I had every single one of their albums (yes, even when they went by the name Chicago Transit Authority). I went to see them in concert at Hughes Stadium on Sunday, July 6 (sadly, it wasn’t Saturday, 4th of July). They played with The Beach Boys and during the concert, they announced a “special” guest had flown in . . . it was Elton “Freaking” John. The crowd went wild. It was such a memorable concert.
tsunami1112 what year was that? Also, I’m not familiar with Hughes Stadium. Where is/was it located?
tsunami1112
That’s quite a collection.
They really cranked out a bunch❗️
Cool.
📻🙂
The whole Chicago Transit Authority album is 'AMAZING' on it's own.
Lew Wilkinson
Agreed ❗️
📻🙂
Yes, this song was huge. It was a staple for many a high school pep band. So much talent in that band. My favorite era for them was when Terry was still alive and playing. Such intensity and I love the way they work in the horns, sax, and flute. They complimented each other so well.
Alright Jamel!!! Early Chicago. It’s about time!!! Gotta do Beginnings next. Terry Kath is one of the greatest guitar players ever. Jimi Hendrix thought he was better than him. It’s about trying to write THIS song, lol. BTW The live version of this at Tanglewood is totally off the charts
F'n' A bubba!
Begginings great stuff or im a man
TANGLEWOOD
YES!!!
Absolutely
It was written at about 4 am, after lots of drink and smoke, cause someone asked what time it was and somebody said ...it's 25 or 6 to 4, like 25 or 26 to 4am. Everybody laughed and then it turned into a song.
Peter Cetera on vocals, Terry Kath on guitar. These guys had amazing talent.
Ernie Rivas they will absolutely melt your face off!!!
Jimi Hendrix said that Terry Kath was the best guitarist he had ever seen (what does that say)
@@patrickmurphy4585 You might have been thinking of someone else who died in a swimming pool. Kath accidentally shot himself in the head with his own gun, as described by an eye witness. Thinking it was unloaded, he put it to his temple and pulled the trigger, not realizing there was a round in the chamber. Regardless, it was a tragic way to go for an incredibly talented man.
Chicago was/is the best American band of all time. Robert Lamm was/is pretty good, too.
@@patrickmurphy4585 Kath died eight days before his 32nd birthday. The 'accidental gunshot' wound that ContrarianCorner describes is correct. Not a suicide...Just arrogant and ignorant at one time. Terry's semi-automatic pistol had a round chambered (not established for certain if Terry knew this) but the gun would not fire without a magazine inserted. Lots of autos are designed that way. At some point, a clip was inserted and the stunt Terry had been pulling all party long, went horribly, horribly wrong. Don't point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
OH YES!!!!!! Terry Kath! You are loved and missed!!!!! I believe you should do a Chicago Rabbit Hole 😉
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.
Good answer!!
Thankyou 3cheers from Canada
Danny Seraphine on drums! One of rocks’ best drummers of all time.
“Talking about writing a song”. That’s what the title is about. They were up all night trying to finish the song. They completed it about 25/26 till 4 in the morning. I read this years ago. I love your videos. When you love music, you share it with your friends because you want them to appreciate it like you do. YOU are that friend whose experience we crave. Thanks!
You are correct
Thank you for the explanation. I've always tried to figure it out.
That's what I heard as well. They needed one more song to complete their album.
drugs, not songs
it wasn't the band that was up, it was robert lamm in his house in hollywood, looking at the "flashing lights" of LA skyline. I believe the sun was peaking out eventually...implying he was up all night trying to write as many a musician will do!
Yes, back in the day- when the instruments were just as important as the vocals. These days it feels like the instruments are fillers between the lines.
Yes, you rarely hear a solo instrument anymore.
There more like background noise. Sad
@Judi Dipillo There are synth players with great talent, Nick Rhodes for instance. Unfortunately all we are getting is barely passable when you think of what a talented artist could craft with it.
And the 'music' just filler between commercials!
They're still making music? Not that I've heard or can find 😎
Peter Cetera was the lead singer and Terry Kath was the guitarist. Hendrix said Terry Kath was the best.
I believe Cetera was also the bassist.
@@JaronActual He was. But Hendrix said Kath was his "favorite," not the best.
Terry sang as well
Peter Cetera also played bass for Chicago
And Danny Seraphine on drums was fantastic. He is so under-rated, Using basically a starter-kit he could make Neil Peart and his gazillion drums & cymbals sound like a kid banging on mom's pot & pans
Jamal, I must tell you this. I am 67 years old. When I was a teenager me and my best friend were together listening to 25 or 6 to four for the first time, I had just scored the album. The look on his face was exactly like yours when you started jamming to this. Your delving into and presenting these far out old tunes goes beyond just the subject matter. Now time travel is included.
As they say in the School of Rock, A face melting guitar solo! Courtesy of Terry Kath, The Guitarist that Jimi Hendrix looked up to!
This is just about the best Chicago song, this Album, Chicago 2 was a freaking masterpiece!! Loved it since high school....
@Ramona Rael ABSOLUTELY!!
Who know horns could sound so AWESOME
@@helenbradley3123 and Blood Sweat and Tears, good brass section. The Average White Band from Scotland. Earth Wind and Fire..
Tamil R Sued ALL of CHICAGO's work's are true Masterpieces it is just the levels of appreciative discernment to the human ears mind to comprehend & analyze accept their musical spectrums of worth to one another
@@douglasknoll3500 YEs indeed!!
EVERYONE who owned a record player, had this album when it came out.
Yep! I had a hand me down from my older brother
Still do!
I love your reactions. My favorite band, love the brass.
I actually still have it, as well as most of the original Chicago albums (on vinyl of course)....
My ultimate favorite group of my school days. I love that every musician playing was the band of Chicago. What you heard recorded you heard the same live in concert. Incredible big bands of the 70's. So glad you're listening to them and loving them.
Terry Kath, the lead guitarist, is said to be Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist.
Bad ass guitarist who left the world too soon.
Please listen to Leonid and Friends on RUclips
They do Chicago cover band.
Trust me they are amazing
Even the guys from the Orginal Chicago love them
Hendrix also said that about Rory Gallagher and Johnny Winter. Hendrix respected quite a few guitarists.
That's correct. Hendrix jammed with Kath and the band, and was in the process of joining Chicago when disaster struck. He loved the sound of "rock and roll with horns", and if you listen carefully to Kath, you can see why Hendrix was a fan. Kath was a beast.
@@nzmarco Which one?
The song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am.
“Should I try to do some more”. It’s about drugs, dude.
@@gardengirl694 Perhaps you should explain that to Bob Lamm, who wrote the song. He seems to feel that it refers to writing a song in the middle of the night. He'll be surprised to know he was wrong, I'm sure.
Martin Wilson ya ok. Idc what his pc explanation is. Those ya us from back in the day when it came out know.
@@gardengirl694 I bought the album the week it came out, sister. There were always a variety of opinions about the meaning of this song, which is why Lamm clarified things. Nobody is begrudging you your opinion, but that doesn't make it fact.
@@gardengirl694 I'm with you. That was the interpretation of the day.
"What was that??" That was the whirring guitar licks of Mr. Terry Kath-- someone who was called a top cat on guitar by the likes of Jimi Hendrix.
A G Terry Kath, I miss him! RIP Terry 😇
Died way too young from a self inflicted, accidental(?) gun shot. Was cleaning gun when it went off.
he is the great, Terry Kath is LEGENDARY
@@bluesman3232 The story I heard is that he was playing around with the gun and someone told him to be careful and he put the gun to his head and said, "It isn't loaded". Famous last words.
@@TE5LA-GAMING Was probably high (?) ........of course everyone was high back then. Last words that came back to haunt him!
Back when bands had to be TALENTED.
Amen. Sad days we're in. Im1963 made.
and were talented
Honestly believe this is one of the greatest solos ever.
DylanHughesss definitely
@@ginnywhat5777 yep
Totally agree with you, amazing and timeless solo.
Rock and Roll Machine by Triumph
Absolutely. Check out their live version from the July 21 1970 Tanglewood concert. It is here on RUclips. Not only does he get longer to improvise, you get so see him in action. So sorry that we lost him at such a young age.
My husband and I met over a Chicago song, “Just You and Me”, in our college band room. He plays trombone, and used the intro as part of his warmup. I play woodwinds.
Compliment for you, Jamel. There's something you do that (as far as I can remember) no one else does:
When you pause the song for a comment or a reaction or a laugh you back the song up a bit so we can reestablish our groove before the new part picks up. That is so wonderful! Sometimes, when you pause, it's at a point when something; a solo, a vocal, but something which is EPIC, perhaps the best part of the song-and I scream inside a bit, because I'm IN the song and it hurts to have it interrupted. But, you back it up before you restart it so I (we) can re-experience the groove and be back in the song for the next bit.
Thank you for that.
Also, I love your intro with the bit that reminds me of a late 1950's - early 1960's prime-time sit-com. It's great!
Very well said
This is probably the truest and best comment I’ve ever seen. I could not have said it better myself.
Takes me right back to HIGH school in the 70's. Every HIGH school marching band was playing this song, especially with the huge horn section. You didn't say anything about the horn section, the best horn section in rock. Certainly wakes you up in the morning - I remember.
Yep. I was in stage band on bari sax and I had to carry that repetitive bass line in 25 or 6 to 4. I liked the song (still do) but playing it wasn't a lot of fun.
This reminds me of the days back in the 60s/70s when someone would get a new album and be so excited about it that they had to share it with all their friends. That love for music is something you just don't experience as much these days. Music is so often just background noise. Thanks Jamel for letting us relive that again.
Terry Kath, their lead guitarist, was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitar player
So was a hundred other great players according to the hundred legends going around about every one of them. :)
Yes. If you haven’t seen it, check out this amazing documentary that his daughter Michelle produced called The Terry Kath Experience. www.terrykath.com/
Actually Billy Gibbons was Hendrix's favorite guitarist, but Hendrix loved Terry Kath. Hendrix said Terry Kath was a better guitarist than him.
Yes, Jimmy Hendrix once said of Terry Kath:" I play guitar well, but this cat blows me away!"
@@ronhollie4177 Hendrix was spot on. Terry Kath is an exceptional guitarist. Died way too young.
"Chicago,is a genre of its own." Yes I said that lol
@Chon Connor Hahahaha
Gary Lindsey Hendrix said Terry Kath was a better guitarist than himself....which totally makes your case!
I mean it’s kinda true
This first album, Chicago Transit Authority, is the happiest album I've ever heard. After this, their songs became like everyone else's songs - singing about the torture of love and broken hearts - but this one was just joy upon joy. Smoking a blunt and listening to the jam on side 2 was so exciting and thrilling.
Hi I’am 66 years old. When this song came out I was 15. We were under the impression that this song was about doing LSD, the bass player did the vocals. The guitarist Terry k. Was one of the greatest guitarists at that time. He died in in the 70’s by an accidental gunshot wound. Great band.
Correct.
I was thinking the same thing. I had a flashback during the song.
Yeah, he put a gun to his head thinking it wasn’t loaded. His last words were “ See, it’s not loaded” Ooops!
Valerie Adams I'm a couple years older than you and played in rock bands of that era. There is no question the song is about drugs. The intensity of the vocals and instruments reverberates with the agony and ecstasy of being high. "Should I quit or do some more?" The eternal question.
I think this was written about an experience of writer's block trying to write some music late at night (actually early moring) if I recall correctly.
That is exactly what this song is about
They were all sitting in the recording studio after trying all night to write something. One of the band asked what the time was and a band member said “it’s 25 or 6 to 4”, meaning 25 or 26 to 4:00am. It was just an odd phrasing that struck them as funny so they wrote the song then and there.
Yes! 25 or 6 to four equates to 3:35 or 3:36 in the morning according to a Robert Lamm!
Chicago's, "I'm A Man" is also another classic from their earlier period. Highly recommended.
I'm a Man is a cover from the Spenser Davis Group.
Wasn't that a song by Spencer Davis Group, too?
Yes, but Chicago took it to a new level, in my opinion.
So why not throw some Spenser Davis Group into the pot with "Gimme Some Lovin'"? You'll love it Jamel....especially listening to teen-aged Steve Winwoods vocals.
@@jameschisholm7131 like the original from Spenser Davis Group better, but that's just me. Gimme Some Lovin' is my favorite from SDG.
Treat yourself, watch this "Live at Tanglewood", Terry's smooth intro and the subsequent solo are masterpieces.
That's exactly what the song is about. Setting up late trying to write a song. Also, the band Chicago recommend folks to watch you on Twitter.
The horns man! I love the handoff from guitar to singing to horns and back and forth. I sure enjoy seeing you enjoy pure music. Also.
When Terry played he would just close his eyes and didn’t look at his fretboard. A true guitar hero.
Check out a young guitar player from Wales named Chris Buck, he does the same thing Rose.
My dad managed a bowling alley in the early 1970’s in Odessa Texas. Chicago came into the bowling alley around 11 pm after performing a concert. My dad cleared the entire bowling alley so they could have it to them self’s. He called my teenage sisters so they could meet the band. They were all very down to earth, nice guys. They bowled til about 3am.
So glad you got around to Chicago Jamel. Try "Does anybody really know what time it is" off their first album. Fantastic
Lawrence Eason another great early song!
This was a music that powered a lot of people , a generation of musicians and radio stations who shaped a lot of great music that was / is simply the best!
I used to listen to this song and others by Chicago when I was in high school in the 70s and it blew our mind back then too!
That guitarist was Terry Kath, an amazing player. I found the band first through their 4th album, a 4 reord set recorded live at Carnegie Hall. The live eversion of this song shows Terry's awesome ability to play both rhythm and lead, at the same time no overdubs when you're live. Even Hendrix hired the band as his opening act on the road thinking Terry played better than he did. Sadly he passed while still a young man, but he inspired many guitarists to actually study what music is.
Jamal how old are you? I am in my 60's and love watching you get your groove on to the music of my youth! Peace out man! Luv ya!
I think he said that he was born 1980
1961 here lol
It is so good to see someone my kids age relating to the music I grew up listening to!
We had bad a$$ music back in the day!
@@jefffederer1807 1962 here. 😂
I like to add him on Facebook but I don't know his name lol
How could anyone give a "thumbs down" to this song or to Jamel's organic, honest reaction?
Don't forget Peter Cetera's vocals. Damn fine.
You know it, sister!
That’s not Peter Cetera. I can’t remember the original lead singers name.
@@traceyrankin936 Cetera absolutely sang lead on the song. Chicago consistently shared the vocals between Kath, Lamm, and Cetera.
@Steve Klemetti No he ain't!
I loved STEELY DAN!!!
I recall writing a 26-page paper on the Shakespeare play "Coriolanus" in college & as I finished up in the early morning hours, I knew I had had to wait to sleep because the paper was due that day at my 8 a.m. class. I turned on the classic rock station that morning to this song playing. Serendipity.
Getting such a kick watching you react to this amazing song. I was a kid when I first heard this song and I laughed during the guitar solo because it blew my mind as a kid. Still listening almost 40 years later. Love your reaction to Peter Cetera's voice. I've been loving his voice for decades. And you know that Chicago shared this video on their FB page, so you got their attention! And thanks for talking about Rush, my other favorite band!
Just so you know the lineup from that album:
Peter Cetera - Lead vocals and bass
Terry Kath - Mind-blowing guitars and backing vocals
Robert Lamm - Keyboards and vocals
Walter Parazaider - Saxaphone
James Pankow - Trombone
Lee Loughnane - Trumpet, backing vocals
Danny Seraphine - Drums, Percussion
Two comments:
1. You honored them and they honored you back. Beautiful!
2. The meaning is literal.
Robert Lamm was having writers block and was up at "25 or 26 minutes to 4AM trying to write.
The song tells the story!
Peter Cetera sang.
Terry Kath on guitar.
My band was literally in tears when Terry died.
Great reaction video!
Sean Woodburn, no, he’s talking about doing LSD25
@@alcrespo6707 Cite your source Al!
I have been a professional musician for over 40 years. The story is very common knowledge.
Now Blue Cheer...they could talk to you about LSD!
Cetera also wrote and played bass on all the songs. It still amazing to me he was a lyric tenor and played bass!
@@heatherams2732 An unsung hero in some ways. My first "pro bass" was a Gibson G3 which shared the same body shape as Pete's Ripper. The dealer was not going to be able to get a Ripper for weeks so being young and impatient I settled. He was a huge influence on my playing before I discovered Jaco or Stanley.
Jamel, of all the reactor's out there, you get it more than any other. You obviously do enjoy most of the music you review and your comments are intelligent and to the point. Keep on man, you entertain me during the pandemic.
My favorite reactor...he gets it!
I’ve always loved their music! I actually tried out for drill team in high school to this song. Think you so much for turning others onto Some of the best music ever recorded
Peter Cetera, one of the greatest voices in music.
Was
Olga, in the end it seems Cetera turned into a problematic diva. If you're interested you might check out the following video:
Why Peter Cetera Left Chicago (posted by: The Real Music Observer).
@@tmr626 Peter got with David Foster and wanted to grow that's all that was stop being messy...
tmr626 that’s the story of almost every rock n roll frontman of all time lol it’ll get to your ego eventually
and boy did he know it...pity he was such an a$$
For a REAL thrill watch the live version of 25 or 6 to 4 and see Terry Kath do the solo .The BEST ever.
Jimi said Terry was the most impressive guitarist he had ever seen.
Pretty sure that was on the Dick Cavett show.
@@yargnad the one Tanglewood
The amount of legendary songs and music that came out of the 70s is unmatched in any other decade.
NO DECADE COMES CLOSE! All styles of music were innovating and intersecting!
The 60's also. It's just a personal preference, but if I had to pick a 10 year period, I would choose 1965-1975.
@@CP-lp9pb probably my preference as well.
I also realize that without the old blues guitarist, we would not have had bands like the stones and Clapton
@@jabreck1934 Great point!
J A Breck ~~~Yes it was a great time to be alive and the concerts were the absolute best!!
Only one I did not go to was the Beetles at Dodger Stadium now with George gone wish I had!
The "Tangle Wood" live version brings it to life. Kath kills it on the guitar.
Absolutely. Terry was a man possessed in that performance.
Late great Terry Kath I am named after him, Chicago was my dad's favorite band, awesome group. Terry Kath is the most underrated guitarist ever , Jimi Hendrix of all ppl said TK was his favorite guitarist
No autotune, no canned beats off a machine with a lack luster feeling-- vs real singers and musicians! When musicians play, there is a completely different feeling than to create off of a machine!
Yes, yes, yes!!!! 🎸🎤🎺
Exactly. Chicago played everything raw. Today, that's one of the things I like most about them. Just the guys, their instruments, and microphones. No enhancement needed. Raw music. After listening for over 50 years, it still sounds fantastic.
The same with the Beach Boys. The Beach Boys sometimes did a lot of editing, but the sound is all raw. Growing up in Los Angeles / Hollywood, I greatly enjoyed the fact that both bands liked each other and often joined up. Put Chicago and the Beach Boys on a stage together, playing each other's songs, and you get a sound you've never heard before or since. Mind-blowing.
@@PhillipLandmeier I heard/saw both bands but never together. That must've been something!
@@JoanneJaworski It was. The two bands were good friends and jammed together anyway, knew all of each other's material. So, it wasn't like they had to rehearse for a performance, just get up on stage and do what they did for fun anyway. The resulting sound was jaw-dropping.
@@PhillipLandmeier I LOVE when musicians jam like that but with such amazing synchronicity and skill!
Makes me happy to see your reaction. I grew up with this band and they were huge. Loved them. Terry Kath is one of my favorite guitarists. They had 3 horn players which was very unusual for the time.
That guitar solo was written and played by Terry Kath... The Same vocals on Make Me Smile! Cetera on vocals here.