Walter Parazaider

Last updated

Walter Parazaider
Walter Parazaider.jpg
Parazaider in 2008
Background information
Birth nameWalter Parazaider
Born (1945-03-14) March 14, 1945 (age 78) [1]
Maywood, Illinois, US
Genres Rock, blues, R&B, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s) Saxophone, flute, clarinet, guitar
Years active1966–2018

Walter Parazaider (born March 14, 1945) is an American woodwind musician who is a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He is best known for being one-third of Chicago's brass/woodwind section alongside Lee Loughnane and James Pankow. Parazaider is a multi-instrumentalist. He plays a wide variety of wind instruments, including saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He also occasionally plays guitar.

Contents

Early life

Parazaider was born in Maywood, Illinois, and began playing the clarinet at the age of 9. As a teenager, his growing talent was being groomed for a career as a professional orchestral musician, and he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical clarinet performance from DePaul University.

Career with Chicago

Inspired by the Beatles hit "Got to Get You Into My Life", Parazaider became enamored of the idea of creating a rock 'n' roll band with horns. Early practice sessions at Parazaider's house included guitarist Terry Kath and drummer Danny Seraphine, who were both friends during his teenage years. Another friend who became involved was future Chicago producer James William Guercio.

The band, originally called The Big Thing, eventually became Chicago with the addition of Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone, Robert Lamm on keyboards, and Peter Cetera on bass. Parazaider's primary musical role in the band has consisted of playing woodwinds on James Pankow's horn arrangements. Never a prolific writer, Parazaider's compositional contributions ("It Better End Soon: 2nd Movement", "Free Country", "Aire", "Devil's Sweet", "Window Dreamin'") have been few relative to the other members.

Parazaider performs the highly recognizable flute solo in the Chicago hit "Colour My World", which became a popular 'slow dance' song at high school proms during the 1970s. [2] [3] [4] The band's 1973 hit "Just You 'n' Me" also features a Parazaider solo, on soprano sax.

In 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by DePaul University. [5]

He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and was given the National Citation, being recognized as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009. [6]

A member of Chicago from its inception, Parazaider continued to tour extensively with the band until his retirement from touring in 2017 due to a heart condition. [7] [8] He is now included on the band's "Tribute to Founding Members" page alongside Kath, Seraphine, and Cetera. [9]

Personal life

Parazaider married JacLynn Bryce in 1966. They have two daughters, Laura and Felicia. [10] He is the only one of Chicago's founding members to remain with his first wife. He is of Croatian descent.[ citation needed ]

In April 2021, several years after his retirement from touring with Chicago, Parazaider announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. [11]

Related Research Articles

Chicago is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1967. The group began calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968, then shortened the name in 1969. Self-described as a "rock and roll band with horns," their songs often also combine elements of classical music, jazz, R&B, and pop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Kath</span> American guitarist and singer (1946–1978)

Terry Alan Kath was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who is best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He played lead guitar and sang lead vocals on many of the band's early hit singles alongside Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera. He has been praised by his bandmates and other musicians for his guitar skills and his Ray Charles–influenced vocal style. Jimi Hendrix cited Terry Kath as one of his favorite guitarists, and considered Kath to be "the best guitarist in the universe".

<i>Chicago Transit Authority</i> (album) 1969 studio album by Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority is the debut studio album by the American rock band Chicago, known at the time of release as Chicago Transit Authority. It was recorded and released in April 1969 and became a sleeper hit, reaching number 17 on the Billboard 200 by 1971. Chicago Transit Authority spawned several successful singles, including "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Questions 67 and 68" and "Beginnings". The album stayed on the Billboard chart for 171 weeks, beating the previous record for a rock album's longevity of 155 weeks and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). For this inaugural recording effort, the group was nominated for a Grammy Award for 1969 Best New Artist of the Year. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.

<i>Chicago at Carnegie Hall</i> 1971 live album by Chicago

Chicago at Carnegie Hall is the first live album, and fourth album overall, by American band Chicago. It was initially released on October 25, 1971 by Columbia Records as a four-LP vinyl box set, and was also available for a time as two separate two-record sets. A Quadraphonic mix of the album was proposed, but was never made, possibly due to the band's objection to the album being released in the first place. This is the only Chicago album of the group's first ten releases not to have a Quadraphonic release in any format.

<i>Chicago VII</i> 1974 studio album by Chicago

Chicago VII is the sixth studio album by American rock band Chicago. It was released on March 11, 1974 by Columbia Records. It is notable for being their first double album of new material since 1971's Chicago III and remains their final studio release in that format. It features session percussionist Laudir de Oliveira, who would become a full-fledged band member for the release of Chicago VIII the following year.

<i>Chicago VIII</i> 1975 studio album by Chicago

Chicago VIII is the seventh studio album by American rock band Chicago, released on March 24, 1975 by Columbia Records. Following the experimental jazz/pop stylings of Chicago VII, the band returned to a more streamlined rock-based sound on this follow-up.

<i>Chicago IX: Chicagos Greatest Hits</i> 1975 compilation album by Chicago

Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album, and ninth album overall, by the American band Chicago and was released in 1975 by Columbia Records in both stereo and SQ quadraphonic versions.

<i>Greatest Hits, Volume II</i> (Chicago album) 1981 compilation album by Chicago

Greatest Hits, Volume II is the second greatest hits album by American rock band Chicago, released on November 23, 1981 by Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Pankow</span> American trombone player and songwriter

James Carter Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter, and brass instrument arranger who is a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He is best known for his brass arrangements, and for being one-third of Chicago's brass/woodwind section alongside Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Loughnane</span> American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter

Lee David Loughnane is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter who is a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He is best known for being one-third of Chicago's brass/woodwind section alongside James Pankow and Walter Parazaider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowdown (Chicago song)</span> 1971 single by Chicago

"Lowdown" is a song written by Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine for the rock band Chicago and recorded for their third album Chicago III (1971). It was the second single released from this album, and peaked at No. 35 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Cetera provided lead vocals while guitarist Terry Kath used a fuzzbox and wah-wah pedal for his guitar solo and Robert Lamm made prominent use of the Hammond organ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feelin' Stronger Every Day</span> 1973 single by Chicago

"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" is a song written by Peter Cetera and James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VI (1973). The first single released from that album, it reached #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just You 'n' Me</span> 1973 single by Chicago

"Just You 'n' Me" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their fifth studio album Chicago VI (1973). The lead vocals are sung by bassist Peter Cetera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Call on Me (Chicago song)</span> 1974 single by Chicago

"Call on Me" is a song written by Lee Loughnane for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII (1974). Peter Cetera sang lead vocals and the arrangement makes prominent use of conga drums played by Guille Garcia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Truman (song)</span> 1975 single by Chicago

"Harry Truman" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII (1975), with lead vocals by Lamm. The first single released from that album, it reached number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 23 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the song peaked at number 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Days</span> 1975 single by Chicago

"Old Days" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII (1975). It was the second single released from that album with lead vocals by Peter Cetera.

<i>Live in Japan</i> (Chicago album) 1972 live album by Chicago

Live in Japan is a live album by American rock band Chicago, released in November 1972. It was recorded over the course of three days at the Osaka Festival Hall on the band's tour in support of Chicago V in 1972. The group recorded Japanese-language versions of "Lowdown" and "Questions 67 And 68" to coincide with their Japan performances. They performed both songs in Japanese during their stay, which are documented on this album.

"Colour My World" is a song written by American musician James Pankow, one of the founding members of the rock/jazz fusion band Chicago. Part of Pankow's "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago, also called Chicago II (1970). Terry Kath sings the lead vocal, and Walter Parazaider performs the memorable flute solo.

<i>Chicago XXXIV: Live in 75</i> 2011 live album by Chicago

Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75 is a live album by the American band Chicago, their thirty-fourth album overall, recorded in 1975 and released in 2011. After releasing its eighth consecutive gold album in six years, Chicago embarked upon a stadium tour in 1975. The album includes selections from all of the group's albums through its then-current Chicago VIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brand New Love Affair (song)</span> 1975 single by Chicago

"Brand New Love Affair" sometimes alternatively listed as "Brand New Love Affair (Parts I and II)", is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII. The song peaked at #61 on the charts. Guitarist Terry Kath sings the first half while bassist Peter Cetera sings the second half. Keyboardist Robert Lamm played the distinctive Fender Rhodes electric piano on the song—the intro particularly showcases its lush vibrato bell-like sound.

References

  1. ↑ Nite, Norm N. (1980). Rock on: The modern years : 1964 - present. Crowell. p. 79. ISBN   978-0-690-01196-8. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  2. ↑ Huoppi, Peter; Koster, Rick (June 23, 2017). "Slow dance songs for middle school, proms and weddings". The Day. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  3. ↑ Shaughnessey, Dennis (January 15, 2010). "You name it, he'll play it". www.lowellsun.com. Lowell, Massachusetts: MediaNews Group. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  4. ↑ Staff Report (April 14, 2009). "Memories of prom night". The State Journal-Register. Springfield, Illinois: GateHouse Media. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Walter Parazaider Saxophonist and Founding Member of the Band Chicago Bachelor of Arts, Classical Clarinet Performance". Distinctions – Quick Hits: Honorary Degree Recipients. DePaul University. 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Sinfonia News". Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Chicago: Feeling 50 Years Young". Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Band Members – Chicago". chicagotheband.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Tribute to Founding Members – Chicago". chicagotheband.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Walter Parazaider". IMDb .
  11. ↑ "Chicago Co-Founder Walt Parazaider Reveals Alzheimer's Battle". Vermilion County First. April 19, 2021. Archived from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.