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Walter Parazaider, a founding personnel of nan jazz-rock set Chicago whose saxophone provided nan punch of “Just You ‘n’ Me” while his flute solo connected “Colour My World” lent that opus its romanticist poignance, died of complications from Alzheimers illness died this morning, June 17, while successful hospice care. He was 81.
His decease was announced by his girl Felicia Helen Parazaider connected Facebook. “I emotion you poppy, my Pal,” she wrote, successful part. “You coloured our world.” Parazaider resided successful caller years successful nan Las Vegas area but his spot of decease was not disclosed.
Formed successful 1967 successful nan metropolis that would stock its name, Chicago was a awesome hit-maker for decades, signaling astir 40 albums and selling, according to immoderate sources, much than 100 cardinal records. Combining a large horn and woodwind sound pinch much accepted stone instrumentation, Chicago had galore power hits complete nan years, peculiarly successful nan 1970s, including “25 aliases 6 to 4,” “Saturday successful nan Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day”, “Wishing You Were Here”, “Old Days,” “If You Leave Me Now” and “You’re nan Inspiration.”
Born March 14, 1945, successful Maywood, Illinois, Parazaider studied classical clarinet earlier deciding, pinch friends from his teenage years, to commencement nan stone set that would go Chicago.
Along pinch Parazaider, founding members of nan set – initially called The Big Thing, past Chicago Transit Authority and, finally, successful 1969 simply Chicago – included Peter Cetera on bass, Terry Kath on guitar, Robert Lamm on keyboards, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone and Danny Seraphine on drums.
The line-up would alteration galore times of nan years, but Parazaider remained 1 of its constants until his retirement, owed to wellness issues, successful 2018.
In a connection posted connected nan band’s website successful April 2021, Parazaider wrote, “Five months ago, I was diagnosed pinch Alzheimers disease. Needless to say, my wife, daughters and myself were shocked and devastated. It has taken awhile to process this news and nan truth is, we still are. The bully news is we person a awesome aesculapian installation present and I person a very bully doctor. I americium moving difficult and not going to springiness up. With caller treatments and therapy, on pinch my family’s emotion and support, I consciousness very affirmative astir nan future. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I wish you and your families each nan champion successful 2021 and always.”
Parazaider is survived by woman JacLynn, who was astatine his broadside erstwhile he died, and daughters Laura and Felicia.
