The Doobie Brothers Pay Tribute to Walter Parazaider

The Doobie Brothers are paying tribute to Walter Parazaider, a founding member of Chicago, who passed away last week at the age of 81.

In a heartfelt social media post, they expressed their desire to “bid farewell to our good friend” and reminisced about their longstanding friendship with the band Chicago. Their connection dates back to the early 1970s when they performed at many shows together.

“We became good friends with all the members, exchanging phone numbers, addresses, and emails,” the post read. They described how Walt was always among the first to greet everyone upon arrival at a venue, always with a warm smile and embrace.

The Doobie Brothers shared personal memories of Parazaider, highlighting his happy and approachable nature. “He always picked up the phone when you called and made you feel like he was genuinely happy to hear from you,” they noted. He often reached out just to let you know he was thinking of you.

“He was a truly authentic, warm person with a heart as big as the ocean. We’re thankful for the incredible legacy of music he helped create,”

they added.

They extended their “sincere condolences to his wife and family and, of course, to all his bandmates.” They acknowledged the positive impact he had on everyone, emphasizing that “he blessed us all with his presence and is forever in our hearts.”

Parazaider’s influence on the Doobie Brothers was significant, and their public tribute reflects the depth of their relationship.