Walter Parazaider, a founding member of the band Chicago, has passed away. The band shared the sad news on social media on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
We are forever grateful for his contributions. Perhaps his greatest gift was bringing people together. This amazing music may have never been heard had it not been for Walt’s vision.
Parazaider’s Early Years
Parazaider was born in Maywood, Illinois, on March 14, 1945. He grew up in a musical family, so it was only natural that he would pick a career in the field.
He started his career playing the clarinet, according to IMDb. Eventually, Parazaider became the protégé of the E-flat clarinetist in the Chicago Symphony. Then he switched to the saxophone, citing “It was a cool way to meet girls” as his reason why.
Soon he enrolled at De Paul University, where he became enamored with the thought of creating a rock ‘n roll band with horns. He got his inspiration from The Beatles’ hit song “Got To Get You Into My Life.”
Parazaider would host band sessions at his house, which included his teen-years friends Terry Kath and Danny Seraphine. Another person who joined the sessions was Jim Guercio, according to IMDb.
The Start of Chicago
In the early years, the band created by Parazaider, Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine was known as The Big Thing. However, they eventually renamed themselves Chicago.
The band had a multitude of hits, with three reaching the Billboard Hot 100 list’s number 1 spot: “If You Leave Me Now” (1976), “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” (1982), and “Look Away” (1988). In 2016, Chicago was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2016.
His Family
Parazaider married his wife, JacLynn Bryce, in 1966, and they have two children together. JacLynn told TMZ that her husband died at 2:10 a.m., and she was at his side when he took his last breath.
In addition to the band’s post announcing his death, his daughter, Felicia Helen Parazaider, also confirmed his death in a post on Facebook.
My father, my hero, is gone. There’s no more pain. No more struggle. … This was the worst six years. The hardest season of my life. And I’m so grateful that my dad is not suffering anymore. I love you poppy, my Pal.
Diagnosis
Six years ago, Parazaider was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The musician was one of the estimated 6.9 million people in the US who live with the disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and involves a buildup of proteins that causes brain cells to die over time, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Parazaider will be missed by his family and friends; may he rest in peace.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
WGN9: Chicago founding member Walter Parazaider dies at 81
IMDb: Walter Parazaider
MSN: Chicago’s Walter Parazaider: Sax Player Dead After Alzheimer’s
Image by Marcia O’Connor Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons
