Chicago co-founder Walter Parazaider dies

Walter Parazaider, one of the founding members of the jazz-rock band Chicago, has died at the age of 81.

The musician passed away on Wednesday morning in a hospice, almost six years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“He had put up a good fight with Alzheimer’s and unfortunately it ended tonight,” his wife JacLynn told TMZ. “We are going to miss him for sure… We were married for 59 years and we had 59 wonderful years.”

In addition, their daughter Felicia wrote on Facebook, “I love you poppy, my Pal… You coloured our world.”

Parazaider was a founding member of Chicago in 1967 alongside Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine. The band was originally called The Big Thing, then became Chicago Transit Authority, and was ultimately shortened to Chicago in 1969.

Parazaider was one-third of the band’s brass/woodwind section alongside Pankow and Loughnane, playing multiple instruments including saxophone, flute, and clarinet.

He had a flute solo on Chicago’s 1970 hit Colour My World and a saxophone solo on 1973’s Just You ‘n’ Me, while he also contributed to songs like 25 or 6 to 4, Saturday in the Park and If You Leave Me Now.

In April 2021, several years after he retired from touring with Chicago, Parazaider announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis on the band’s website.

“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),” he wrote at the time. “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.”

Parazaider is survived by JacLynn, whom he married in 1966, and their daughters, Laura and Felicia.