Walter Parazaider, a founding member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago, has died.
The musician died on Wednesday, June 17, of complications from a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 81.
Parazaider's death was confirmed by his daughter Felicia Parazaider on Facebook, writing, "My father, my hero, is gone. He went peacefully about 20 minutes ago. There's no more pain. No more struggle."
"I'm in shock and disbelief and yet not at all. This was the worst six years. The hardest season of my life. And I'm so grateful that my dad is not suffering anymore," she added.
Parazaider was part of the original lineup of Chicago, which was formed in its namesake city in 1967. Other original members included Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine.
They were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
Parazaider retired from Chicago in 2017 and announced in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
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