Walter Parazaider

[Woody Sound]

Even though he was always one of the publicly lowest profiles in the band, most people don't know that he was the actual brain child and originator behind the entire concept of the horn/rock band "Chicago." He's now suffering from heart problems and Alzheimer's, and has had to step aside. All in the industry say he is one of the nicest guys ever.

Walter Parazaider - Wikipedia

Check it out at the 2 min mark.

[Sam Sherry]

This song surely sold one million flutes and launched one million quiet storms:

[Woody Sound]

This song surely sold one million flutes and launched one million quiet storms:

Wow that remastered version sounds great. Especially Terry's singing.

[Woody Sound]

ps - His inspiration was from the Beatles' "Got to Get You into my Life." A rock tune with horns.

[Litterick]

That album included a dedication, written by Robert Lamm: "With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures and our energies to the people of the revolution. And the revolution in all of its forms."

Oh well, never mind.

[Woody Sound]

That album included a dedication, written by Robert Lamm: "With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures and our energies to the people of the revolution. And the revolution in all of its forms."

Oh well, never mind.

Never mind?

[Woody Sound]

What always impressed me about the horn section, is that they didn't just blast. Lots of coordinated sforzando, crescendo, dimunendo, and especially their articulation between the three was incredibly tight.

[Litterick]

Never mind?

Chicago's dedication to the revolution appears to have faltered; lost at Caribou Ranch, it seems.

[Marinero]

What always impressed me about the horn section, is that they didn't just blast. Lots of coordinated sforzando, crescendo, dimunendo, and especially their articulation between the three was incredibly tight.

Hi, W,
Parazaider went to DePaul University in Chicago(classical clarinetist) when they started the band in '67. The horn section was all schooled musicians. The rumor was, at the time, they had big money/management behind them with the connections of James Guercios, manager, who soon sent them to California. Our 10-piece Jazz-Funk band was working around the city/suburbs/college campuses later in '69 and the music scene was strong for good bands. Chicago appealed to a more suburban rock-oriented audience while we had a sound closer to Tower of Power and I believe that was why they had early success. Horn bands were hot in the late '60s-'70s and in '74, our ten-piece band did a 45-minute Chicago tribute set for almost 2 years. Sometimes it's difficult to believe how poor the music scene is for musicians. Good luck to Walter in dealing with his devastating disease.
Marinero

[Litterick]

In later years, band members cited Guercio's purchase of Caribou Ranch, more particularly their realization that Guercio had enough money to purchase Caribou Ranch, as a contributing factor to their disillusionment with him as a producer.

Wikipedia

[Woody Sound]

Chicago's dedication to the revolution appears to have faltered; lost at Caribou Ranch, it seems.

Ah, got it, good point.

[Woody Sound]

The whole thing is worth watching, Kath is awesome. But see MMS/CMW at 1:10, check out the tight horns, their dynamics and articulation together, and Seraphine's fabulous drum fills. Probably one of the greatest rock drummers ever. And notice WP switching from tenor, to alto, then immediately back to tenor. Pankow is a great arranger.

[Litterick]

Chicago at the Concertgebouw in 1969.

[Woody Sound]

Chicago at the Concertgebouw in 1969.

Thanks for that.
An interesting tidbit: Most people assume "25 or 6 to 4" was about consuming drugs in the early morning/night. It was actually Lamm writing about struggling trying to come up with song ideas in the early morning/night. So around 3:30 am, after frustration, he decided just to write a song right there about exactly what he was going through at that moment, a song about trying to come up with song ideas.

[Woody Sound]

That album included a dedication, written by Robert Lamm: "With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures and our energies to the people of the revolution. And the revolution in all of its forms."

Oh well, never mind.

Listen to Lamm's "Dialog." Good honest intentions, if that counts for anything.