Walter Parazaider, a co-founding member of the band Chicago and one of its core instrumentalists for five decades, died Wednesday. Family members announced his death, stating he had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for six years. He was 81.
Parazaider played reed instruments including flute and saxophone for Chicago from the band's formation in 1967 until his retirement in 2017. His contributions spanned the entirety of the group's commercial peak and evolution from a jazz-rock fusion ensemble into one of the most successful American rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s. Chicago's string of hits, including 25 top 40 singles and multiple platinum albums, made the band one of the highest-selling groups in music history.
The multi-instrumentalist's distinctive horn arrangements became a signature element of Chicago's sound. His work helped define the brass rock genre that the band pioneered, blending jazz sophistication with rock accessibility. Parazaider performed on albums that sold more than 100 million copies worldwide during his tenure with the group.
Born in Chicago, Parazaider met several future bandmates while attending DePaul University in the mid-1960s. The group originally performed as The Big Thing and Chicago Transit Authority before shortening their name to Chicago. Parazaider remained with the band through lineup changes, shifting musical trends, and the death of original guitarist Terry Kath in 1978. He continued touring and recording until 2017, when he retired after 50 years as a performing member.
Parazaider is survived by his family members, who requested privacy following the announcement. The band has not yet issued a public statement regarding his death or plans for any memorial tributes.