He was the founding member of the band Chicago, with the band, then known as The Big Thing, forming at his parents' house in 1967. He passed today of Alzheimer's Disease at age 81. He was the second original member of the band (after Terry Kath in 1978) to pass away. He retired from touring in 2017.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Walter Parazaider, Chicago sax/flute player, 81
- Thread starter KeithE4
- Start date
Too bad they abandoned it in the '80s and let Pete Cetera take over the band with his "romantic" drivel. Chicago without the horns was just another band.
It was also reported it was his idea to include horns/brass in the unique sound of Chicago.
Mr. Parazaider was the voice from Chicago that was used during the group's segment on both the 1978 and 1981 editions of Bill Drake's "The History of Rock and Roll." RIP Walt Parazaider!
I agree. The horns were what I liked. "If You Leave Me Now" was the one Chicago song I liked where I don't think there were horns.
There were horns on "If You Leave Me Now," and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry." However, they were not as forward in the mix as on some of Chicago's prior singles and the group became much more of a ballads band after the success of "IF You Leave Me Now." The group's first top-40 single to not feature any horns was 1984's "Along Comes a Woman."
Oh, right, at the very start. What I liked were the violins.
The later songs I didn't care for.
There IS a horn section in this song.