One of the founding members of the jazz-rock band Chicago, Walter Parazaider passed away in hospice on Wednesday (6.17,) at the age of 81, some six years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’sdisease.
In a statement to TMZ, the superstar musician’s wife JacLynn said “He had put up a good fight with Alzheimer’s and unfortunately it ended tonight.” “We are going to miss him for sure… We were married for 59 years and we had 59 wonderful years.” And the couple’s daughter, Felicia taking to Facebook with “I love you poppy, my Pal… You colored our world.”
Originally called The Big Thing, then Chicago Transit Authority, before landing on Chicago in 1969, Parazaider was a founding member of the superstar group alongside Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine.
Playing multiple instruments including saxophone, flute, and clarinet, Parazaider was one-third of the band’s brass/woodwind section alongside Pankow and Loughnane,
In addition to contributing to such Chicago classics as ’25 or 6 to 4,’ ‘Saturday in the Park’ and’ If You Leave Me Now,’ Walter had the flute solo on Chicago’s 1970 hit ‘Color My World’ and a saxophone solo on 1973’s ‘Just You ‘n’ Me.’
Several years after he retired from touring with Chicago, in April of 2021 Parazaider confirmed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis on the band’s website, writing:
“Five months ago, I was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Needless to say, my wife, daughters and myself were shocked and devastated. It has taken awhile to process this news and the fact is, we still are (sic).””I am working hard and not going to give up. With new treatments and therapy, along with my family’s love and support, I feel very positive about the future.”
Walter Parazaider is survived by JacLynn, whom he married in 1966, and their daughters, Laura and Felicia.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Crisco_1492