Legendary ‘70s Star, With 3 No. 1 Hit Songs, Turns 81
Legendary ‘70s Star, With 3 No. 1 Hit Songs, Turns 81
Lila ParksSun, March 15, 2026 at 4:19 AM UTC
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(Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
‘70s rock wouldn’t have been the same without the revolutionary Walter Parazaider.
The Chicago co-founder, whose band scored No. 1 hits with “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away,” celebrates his 81st birthdaySaturday.
Parazaider was born on March 14, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. He trained in music from an early age, studying clarinet and saxophone, and then attended DePaul University. His classical experience later helped shape the polished horn arrangements that defined his band’s sound.
His biggest breakthrough came in 1967 when he helped form the band Chicago alongside the musicians Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, and Peter Cetera. Combining rock with jazz-inspired horn sections, the group quickly stood out in a crowded music scene and developed a distinctive style that would influence generations of artists.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bRRCfkISsFM&list=RDbRRCfkISsFM&start_radio=1&pp=ygUsV2FsdCBwYXJhemFpZGVyIGlmIHlvdSBsZWF2ZSBub3cgcGVyZm9ybWFuY2WgBwE%3D
Prior to creating the group, Parazaider’s friend and actor-musician Joe Mantegna asked him what he wanted to do next, to which he replied, "I'm gonna make a band that will be the Beatles, with horns." In the following years, he and his bandmates managed to make this vision into a reality.
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Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Chicago became one of the most successful bands of the era. In terms of albums and singles, they are widely considered one of the most successful American rock bands of all time, second only to the Beach Boys.
The group produced a series of songs that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, including “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away,” while also releasing several platinum-selling albums. Their ability to combine emotional lyrics with strong, horn-driven rock helped them gain a massive global audience.
Over the decades, Chicago built a reputation for longevity as well as success. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, solidifying its place among the most influential groups in rock history.
Now celebrating his 81st birthday, Parazaider’s legacy remains firmly tied to the unmistakable sound that helped Chicago dominate radio for decades.
Related: 1979 Ultra Classic Was a No. 1 Hit 47 Years Ago Today
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
