A couple of days ago I met my oldest friend from my schooldays for a beer He told me that his eldest brother has been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer and is thought to have only a few months left to live. He was the one who showed us that, 50 years ago, there was more to music than just glam rock. We often visited him at home and he’d play us music that was new and exciting to us. Without him, I wouldn’t have discovered Jimi Hendrix, The Crusaders and Captain Beefheart’s crazy blues rock until much later.
Another band he introduced to us was Chicago Transit Authority, one of the first bands who incorporated a full brass section into their music and also drew on elements of hard rock, pop and jazz. As well as producing catchy songs that quickly became hits, they also ventured into experimental sounds. For example, in 1969, their guitarist Terry Kath recorded a track called ‘Free Form Guitar’, which consisted almost entirely of feedback.
This song is a classic that used to be played in every club back then. A rhythmic staccato on the drums paired with extraordinary guitar passages and a great hook. It’s a shame that they changed their name to Chicago shortly afterwards and, apart from a good live album, became increasingly bland.
Chicago Transit Authority - I'm A Man
