Walter Parazaider, the Chicago band cofounder and saxophonist behind the idea of a “rock & roll band with horns,” has died at 81. The band confirmed his death in a social media post Wednesday, June 17.
Walter Parazaider, the Chicago saxophonist who helped shape the idea of a “rock & roll band with horns,” has died at 81.
In a social media post Wednesday, June 17, the band confirmed Parazaider’s passing “this morning,” writing: “Chicago is heartbroken to share the sad news of Walter Parazaider’s passing this morning,” alongside an early-career photo of the woodwind musician.
The tribute credited Parazaider as the origin of the band’s signature sound. “A Rock & Roll band with horns was Walt’s idea. He put the band together and they rehearsed in the basement of his mother’s home,” the post said. It added that Parazaider “did the hard work to book shows for the young. unknown band. ” performing top 40 covers at local bars in and around Chicago.
Parazaider’s impact carried into the group’s rise. Formed in the late 1960s, the band began in Chicago as the Big Thing, created out of several local bands. Over time. it became one of the bestselling bands in the world. with Parazaider’s solos featured on the hit tracks “Just You ‘n’ Me” and “Colour My World.” The post also said he helped write occasional album cuts. including “Free Country.”.
The band’s achievements included major industry recognition. The Grammy-winning group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. A year later. Parazaider retired from performing and eventually left the band. leaving three remaining cofounders: keyboardist Robert Lamm. trompet player Lee Loughnane. and trombone player James Pankow. In 2020, the band was named an honoree of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2021, Parazaider said he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In a statement shared on Chicago’s website, the musician said his family was “shocked and devastated,” and that they were “very positive about the future.”
The band ended its post with what it described as the deeper meaning of his work: “Perhaps his greatest gift was bringing people together. This amazing music may have never been heard had it not been for Walt’s vision,” it said. “Rest in Peace Walt.”
Walter Parazaider Chicago band saxophonist Big Thing rock and roll with horns Alzheimer's disease Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Robert Lamm Lee Loughnane James Pankow