Remembering ChicagoSax (George Buelow)
BY: Samual Wetherby
I first met ChicagoSax (George Buelow) in Second Life many years ago, through another entertainer, Luvofmusic. What started as a casual introduction quickly grew into a real friendship, built on shared projects, long conversations, and his larger-than-life presence that seemed to brighten any room—virtual or otherwise.
George was one of those rare people who carried an effortless charm. He made you feel instantly at ease, no matter who you were. His stories were endless, drawn from years of playing in numerous well-known bands and collaborating with remarkable musicians. Listening to him was like opening a book filled with history, humor, and heart.
But what stood out most was how approachable he was. Despite his talent and experience, George never made you feel small. Instead, he welcomed everyone into his world. If you had the chance to meet him, you liked him—instantly.
Hearing of his passing left me deeply saddened. I find myself wishing I could sit with him just one more time, hear one more of his incredible stories, and share one more laugh. ChicagoSax wasn’t just a musician; he was a friend, a storyteller, and someone who left a little more light in the world than he found.
Illinois Rock & Roll Music Archives: Ken Voss
We’re saddened to learn of the passing of original founding member of The Missing Links George Buelow. Chuck Madden and George Buetow were the founders and were the opening act for the Rolling Stones’ first Chicago gig. “Walt Perry” was Walt Parazaider, who later joined the Missing Links with Danny Seraphine (“Danny Sera”) and Terry Kath, who played bass in the Missing Links. Pankow, Loughnane, Lamm and Cetera were never in the Missing Links. Pankow went from the Jivetet to the Big Thing. Cetera was with the Exceptions when the Big Thing recruited him and Lamm was in the Wanderers. Lee Loughnane was playing with Ross and the Madjestics when he joined the Big Thing. And Terry was going to play guitar, not bass, in the Big Thing. When Jim Guercio later moved the Big Thing to LA it was renamed Chicago Transit Authority. Buelow passed August 7 at the age of 80, suffering from renal failure.
Obituary by close friend: Dennis Polkow
Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of veteran Chicago saxophonist George Buetow — known by the moniker “Chicagosax” — August 7 at the age of 80.
George was a dear friend and a fellow alumnus of the DePaul University School of Music who was the co-founder and original saxophonist in The Missing Links, a Chicago quartet that he co-formed with fellow DePaul University music student, guitarist and singer Chuck Madden in 1963 that later became the nucleus of the band Chicago .
The Missing Links was a clubs fixture and opened for The Rolling Stones at the old Arie Crown Theater at the original McCormick Place in May 1965, six months after the Stones’ first Chicago performance there in November 1964.
Madden’s father was a promoter and retooled The Missing Links in 1966, replacing original members — aside from Madden himself — with George’s DePaul classmate Walt Parazaider on saxophone, Terry Kath on bass and Danny Seraphine on drums. The three had come into The Missing Links from Jimmy Ford and the Executives.
The nucleus of The Missing Links 2.0 had morphed into The Big Thing by February 1967 minus Madden, Terry Kath taking the guitar spot. Roosevelt University composition major Robert Lamm — then billed as Bobby Charles — was added playing Hammond organ, playing pedals for bass. DePaul music students Jimmy Pankow on trombone and Lee Loughnane on trumpet made it a sextet throughout 1967 until bassist Peter Cetera of The Exceptions joined in December 1967.. The name change to Chicago Transit Authority came when former DePaul composition major and record producer Jim Guercio began producing the group in 1968.
George was a master improviser who kept performing in various groups and configurations over the decades and remained a fixture of the Chicago music scene performing in more recent years on a wind synthesizer that allowed him to change the timbre of his instrument.
We had many wonderful times over the years and we appeared together in Michelle Kath Sinclair’s 2016 documentary “Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience,” at his urging.
George joined me for the first of the Chicago with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts in January 2014, having an emotional reunion with his Missing Links successor and DePaul classmate Walt Parazaider for the first time in nearly fifty years. The two had driven in together from Maywood to DePaul every day and had been ushers together at Orchestra Hall.
A sweet, funny, thoughtful and generous man, George was tirelessly devoted to his late wife Jude, with whom he now reunites.
Rest in peace, Brother George.
