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[[Image:Fem isa 2.gif|right|thumb|300px|Female internal reproductive anatomy]]
[[Image:TerryKath.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Terry Kath, 1969]]'''Terry Kath''', born in [[Chicago, Illinois]] on [[January 31]], [[1946]], was the original [[guitarist]], vocalist and founding member (along with [[Walter Parazaider]], [[Danny Seraphine]] and [[Lee Loughnane]]) of the band [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]. He died on [[January 23]], [[1978]] in a freak self-inflicted accident (see below).
The '''urethral sponge''' is a spongy cushion of [[biological tissue|tissue]], found in the lower [[genitals|genital area]] of [[women]], that sits against both the [[pubic bone]] and [[vagina]]l wall, and surrounds the [[urethra]].
He contributed to their first album, ''[[The Chicago Transit Authority (album)|The Chicago Transit Authority]]'' ([[1969]]) with his composition "Introduction". The song displayed many varied musical styles, including [[jazz]], [[blues]], [[rock and roll|rock]], and [[pop music|pop]].
The urethral sponge is composed of [[erectile tissue]]; during [[sexual arousal|arousal]], it becomes swollen with [[blood]], compressing the urethra, helping prevent [[urination]] during [[sexual activity]] (along with the pubococcygeus muscle). Additionally, the urethral sponge contains the [[Skene's gland]]s, which with continued [[stimulation]], may produce an [[ejaculate]] (usually clear in color) and release it through the [[urethra]] during sexual activity or [[orgasm]]. Once considered to be [[urinary incontinence]], the ejaculate is not [[urine]], although it is sometimes mixed with urine, and is similar to that produced by the [[prostate]] in [[men]]. This is said to be a ''[[female ejaculation]]''.
This album also included an [[Experimental music|experimental]] guitar piece aptly named "Free Form Guitar", which was reminiscent of [[Jimi Hendrix]]'s most experimental side. The rest of the album displayed master guitar playing almost completely over three of the four sides of the record. The hit "Questions 67 & 68" had incredibly virtuosic guitar lines that became staples of the Chicago sound, and the hit "Beginnings" showed another aspect of his guitar playing—carrying the song in crystal clear rhythm, later emulated by dozens of soft rock bands of the [[1970s]]. But it was in the songs "Poem 58" and "Liberation" that he really revealed all his potential as soloist.
The urethral sponge encompasses a large number of pleasurable [[nerve|nerve ending]]s, and can, therefore, be stimulated through the front wall of the [[vagina]]. Some women enjoy the [[doggy position|rear-entry position]] of [[sexual intercourse]] for this reason, because the [[penis]] is often angled slightly downward and can stimulate the front wall of the [[vagina]], and in turn, the urethral sponge.
Terry Kath's contribution for the following 10 album releases of the band showed an ever growing musicianship and expanding guitar techniques as can be heard on "The Road," "It Better End Soon, My Friend," and the beautifully scored strings for his "Memories of Love" and its preambles from the second album ''[[Chicago]]'' ([[1970]]). "Sing a Mean Tune Kid", the suite "An Hour in the Shower" and others from ''[[Chicago III]]'' ([[1971]]) gave complete dimension to the album, which also displayed the more saccharine hits by the other members. The times were changing and Chicago's musical direction diversified, but the original go-for-it approach lived on with Kath's compositions and performances through the years. His "Oh, Thank You Great Spirit" from ''[[Chicago VIII]]'' ([[1974]]) was incredibly swift and dynamic, with guitar solos not heard for quite a time in a pop album. Until his last contributions on ''[[Chicago XI]]'' ([[1977]]) this was the extent of his creativity.
In fact, the urethral sponge is often synonymously called the [[G-spot]] (Gräfenberg spot), although some say that the two are separate. Some women experience intense [[pleasure]] from stimulation of the urethral sponge and others find the sensation irritating. The urethral sponge also surrounds the clitoral nerve, and since the two are so closely interconnected, stimulation of the [[clitoris]] may stimulate the nerve endings of the urethral sponge.
His singing was also a unique feature. The warmth and passion in "Color My World" from ''Chicago'' or his screaming in the live version of "Free" from ''[[Chicago at Carnegie Hall]]'' ([[1971]]) are good examples of this. His contributions to modern guitar may have been overlooked over the years, since the band survived Terry's untimely death from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head on [[January 23]], [[1978]] in [[Woodland Hills, California]] a week shy of his 32nd birthday, and simply continued to make big hits expanding to two more generations of listeners. Rumors claimed that he was playing [[Russian Roulette]], but his last words of "Don't worry, it's not loaded" imply an accident.
Terry Kath was interred in the [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery]] in [[Glendale, California]].
Other compositions by Terry Kath:
*"I Don't Want Your Money" (with Robert Lamm) and the suite, "An Hour in the Shower," from ''[[Chicago III]]'' (1971)
*"Alma Mater", from ''[[Chicago V]]'' (1972)
*"Jenny", from ''[[Chicago VI]]'' (1973)
*"Byblos" and "Song of the Evergreens," from ''[[Chicago VII]]'' (1973)
*"Till We Meet Again", from ''[[Chicago VIII]]'' (1974)
*"Hope for Love" and "Once or Twice", from ''[[Chicago X]]'' (1976)
*"Mississippi Delta City Blues" and "Takin' It on Uptown", from ''[[Chicago XI]]'' (1977)
A tribute album (''The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath'') compiled by Chicago containing songs from the various aforementioned albums was not released until recently. Though it doesn't have all the quintessential Kath, it does feature some of his finest moments.
[[Category:Gynecology]]
==Death==
Reportedly in the throes of a [[cocaine addiction]] for a few years, Kath died of an self-inflicted gunshot wound on [[23 January]] [[1978]] at a roadie's house party. Just for the thrill, he took a semi-automatic gun and removed the magazine. To prove that the gun was not loaded, he pointed it into the air and pulled the trigger. However - high and drunk at the time - he forgot that a semi-automatic gun has a built-in safety feature that prevents the discharge of a chambered round, if the magazine is removed. (This is why the chamber should always be checked visually.) Upon reinserting the magazine, he put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. Unfortunately, with the magazine reinserted, the chambered round discharged and killed him. His tragicomic suicide has brought him a place in the notorious [[Darwin Awards]].
==External links==
*[http://www.chicagotheband.com Chicago's official website]
*[http://www.darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin1994-04.html Darwin Awards entry on Kath]
[[Category:1946 births|Kath, Terry]]
[[Category:1978 deaths|Kath, Terry]]
[[Category:Guitarists|Kath, Terry]]
[[Category:Suicides|Kath, Terry]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths|Kath, Terry]]
[[Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery|Kath, Terry]]
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