Walt Parazaider, the band's founding saxophonist, flutist and woodwind player, died Wednesday at the age of 81.
"Five months ago, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease," he wrote in a statement at the time. "Needless to say, my wife, daughters and myself were shocked and devastated. It has taken a while to process this news and the fact is, we still are. The good news is we have a wonderful medical facility here and I have a very good doctor. I am working hard and not going to give up. With new treatments and therapy, along with my family's love and support, I feel very positive about the future."
Born in Chicago in 1945, Parazaider studied clarinet before helping form the band that would eventually become Chicago in the late 1960s. At a time when few rock groups featured a full horn section, the band's fusion of rock, jazz and pop helped set it apart, paving the way for a string of hit albums and singles throughout the 1970s and beyond.
"I wish that the band could have been put in a time capsule and we were doing right now what we were doing then," trumpet player Lee Loughnane told Rolling Stone in April. "It's just not the way life works."
Parazaider's death marks the loss of one of Chicago's last remaining founding members. More than half a century after helping launch the band, the music he created continues to define one of classic rock's most distinctive catalogs.
Related: 1971 Rock Classic, Lasting Nearly 8 Minutes, Became a Timeless Road Trip Anthem
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