Blab Music
Walter Parazaider, Founding Member of Chicago, Dies at 81 After Long Battle with Alzheimers
On the morning of June 17, 2026, Walter Parazaider, the saxophonist who helped shape the sound of the rock‑and‑jazz band Chicago, died at 81 in hospice care. According to his wife JacLynn, she was by his side when he passed at 2:10 a.m. in the early hours of Wednesday.
Parazaider’s death follows a six‑year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, which he disclosed publicly in 2021. The illness forced him to retire from touring in 2017, ending a career that had spanned more than five decades on the road. In a statement to TMZ, 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.” Parazaider’s daughter Felicia posted a tribute on Facebook, writing, “Thank you for loving my father, even if you didn’t personally know him. I’m in shock and disbelief, and yet not at all. This was the worst six years. The hardest season of my life. And I’m so grateful that my dad is not suffering anymore.”
Born March 14, 1945, Parazaider studied classical clarinet before co‑founding Chicago in 1967. The group originally called itself The Big Thing, then Chicago Transit Authority, before shortening its name to Chicago in 1970. The original lineup also included Terry Kath, Danny Seraphine, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm.
As a woodwind player, Parazaider added saxophone, flute, and clarinet parts that became a signature element of Chicago’s sound. His flute solo on the 1970 single “Colour My World” and his saxophone work on the 1973 hit “Just You ‘n Me” are among the band’s most recognizable moments. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Chicago released a string of successful albums, including five consecutive number‑one entries on the Billboard 200 and three Hot 100 hits such as “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away.”
In 2016, the original members of Chicago were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a milestone that underscored the group’s influence on rock and pop music. Parazaider’s role as a founding member and long‑time touring musician was highlighted in the ceremony.
After retiring from the road in 2017, Parazaider remained a respected figure in the music community. He continued to be cited as a pioneer of the “rock‑and‑roll band with horns” concept, a model that has influenced many contemporary acts. His career also exemplifies the longevity that can be achieved by musicians who blend classical training with popular music.
Chicago has continued to tour and record after Parazaider’s retirement, with current members including Lamm, Loughnane, and Pankow, and a rotating lineup of horn players and rhythm section musicians. The group’s legacy, however, remains tied to the foundational work of its original members, of whom Parazaider was a key contributor.
Parazaider’s death is a loss for the music world, but his legacy lives on through the recordings he helped create and the influence he had on the horn‑powered sound that defined a generation of rock music.
The obituary of Walter Parazaider is a reminder of the human side of the industry, where health challenges can abruptly end a career that has spanned decades and shaped popular culture. His passing is noted by fans, fellow musicians, and industry observers who recognize the breadth of his contribution to Chicago’s enduring success.
Parazaider’s death follows a six‑year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, which he disclosed publicly in 2021. The illness forced him to retire from touring in 2017, ending a career that had spanned more than five decades on the road. In a statement to TMZ, 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.” Parazaider’s daughter Felicia posted a tribute on Facebook, writing, “Thank you for loving my father, even if you didn’t personally know him. I’m in shock and disbelief, and yet not at all. This was the worst six years. The hardest season of my life. And I’m so grateful that my dad is not suffering anymore.”
Born March 14, 1945, Parazaider studied classical clarinet before co‑founding Chicago in 1967. The group originally called itself The Big Thing, then Chicago Transit Authority, before shortening its name to Chicago in 1970. The original lineup also included Terry Kath, Danny Seraphine, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm.
As a woodwind player, Parazaider added saxophone, flute, and clarinet parts that became a signature element of Chicago’s sound. His flute solo on the 1970 single “Colour My World” and his saxophone work on the 1973 hit “Just You ‘n Me” are among the band’s most recognizable moments. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Chicago released a string of successful albums, including five consecutive number‑one entries on the Billboard 200 and three Hot 100 hits such as “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away.”
In 2016, the original members of Chicago were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a milestone that underscored the group’s influence on rock and pop music. Parazaider’s role as a founding member and long‑time touring musician was highlighted in the ceremony.
After retiring from the road in 2017, Parazaider remained a respected figure in the music community. He continued to be cited as a pioneer of the “rock‑and‑roll band with horns” concept, a model that has influenced many contemporary acts. His career also exemplifies the longevity that can be achieved by musicians who blend classical training with popular music.
Chicago has continued to tour and record after Parazaider’s retirement, with current members including Lamm, Loughnane, and Pankow, and a rotating lineup of horn players and rhythm section musicians. The group’s legacy, however, remains tied to the foundational work of its original members, of whom Parazaider was a key contributor.
Parazaider’s death is a loss for the music world, but his legacy lives on through the recordings he helped create and the influence he had on the horn‑powered sound that defined a generation of rock music.
The obituary of Walter Parazaider is a reminder of the human side of the industry, where health challenges can abruptly end a career that has spanned decades and shaped popular culture. His passing is noted by fans, fellow musicians, and industry observers who recognize the breadth of his contribution to Chicago’s enduring success.
