TDC - Walter Parazaider, 81 (Chicago)

[alantig]

Walter Parazaider, a co-founding member of Chicago who was with the band from its start in 1967 through his retirement in 2017, died Wednesday, family members announced. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for six years.

Parazaider played reed instruments in the band for that 50-year run, and may be most easily recognized for his flute solo in “Colour My World,” though he was more often found on the saxophone. In the band’s earliest conception, he was the only horn player, and he is often credited as the one whose idea it was to bring an entire horn section in as full members of a rock band, a radical idea when Chicago Transit Authority was being founded in ’67, and still a rare concept to this day.

[specialk]

RIP, sir, and thanks for the toe-tapping tunes!

[BruceM]

RIP.  I used to play Chicago songs on baritone horn in pep band in High School.  Soundtrack of my youth.  

[Dave Scepter]

I absolutely love Chicago... such a talented band.. a rock band with horns?.. Who would've thunket?

 

Edited June 18 by Dave Scepter

[ZR]

The wife and I saw them maybe 3 times decades ago. Walter always brought good entertaining energy to the show. RIP

[hamerican gigolo]

Was listening to Chicago II last night. WP's flute is all over that double LP.

Great musician. 

R.I.P. 😞

[BoogieMKIIA]

I saw them before I could drive (my dad took me). I used to play sax in school, it was a big deal to have horns along with Terry's raw guitar. And real musicianship.

[hamerhead]

I liked them early on, but as the music in my sphere got heavier - and Chicago went to the pop side - I listened less and less. No denying the talent, regardless. Losing Kath was monumental.

R.I.P., Mr. Parazaider.

[Rich_S]

I love Parazaider’s extended flute solo in “It Better End Soon” on the Carnegie Hall album.  Chicago was my first concert (our Dad took me and my younger brother & sister) and my first musical influence.

RIP, Walt.  Tell Terry we miss him.