March 14

 Roger Powell

March 14, 1949. Roger Powell joined the progressive rock ensemble Utopia in 1974, establishing himself as a premier synthesist and keyboardist. Before this appointment, he worked as a consultant for ARP Instruments and released his debut solo album, Cosmic Furnace, in 1973. His technical mastery of custom-built electronics and the trumpet added complex layers to the band's ambitious arrangements on records like Ra and Oops! Wrong Planet. 

Roger remained the keyboardist for Utopia from 1974 to 1986. During the mid-seventies, his expertise was sought by various peers, leading to a notable tour as the keyboardist for David Bowie in 1978. He balanced these collaborations with his duties in Utopia, contributing rhythm guitar and vocals to their transition toward power pop. By 1980, he reached a creative peak with the release of his second solo endeavor, Air Pocket, and the successful Utopia album Adventures in Utopia.

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Walter Parazaider

March 14, 1945. Chicago Transit Authority was founded in 1967 with Walter Parazaider serving as the woodwind specialist, playing saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He was instrumental in defining the horn-heavy rock style that made the band famous during the late sixties. As the group shortened their name to Chicago, his melodic contributions became a staple of their multi-platinum albums throughout the seventies. Walter Parazaider remained the saxophonist for Chicago from 1967 to 2017. 

The brass section, featuring his flute work on hits like Colour My World, earned immense critical acclaim. By 1980, he had performed on fourteen consecutive studio albums with the ensemble.

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