Mars Williams, the lifelong jazz saxophonist who performed in the Psychedelic Furs and the Waitresses, has died, reviews the Chicago Tribune. He died right now from ampullary most cancers after being identified final yr. “We’re heartbroken,” the Psychedelic Furs wrote on social media. “Goodbye to the good Mars Williams. Relaxation properly.” Williams was 68 years previous.

“Till the tip, Mars’ inexhaustible humor and vitality, and his love for music, pushed him ahead,” Williams’ household wrote in an announcement. “Because it turned clear in late summer season that his therapy choices have been coming to an finish, he selected to spend six weeks of the time he had left dwelling as he had since he was a teen—out on the street performing night time after night time. These final performances with the Psychedelic Furs will reside on with all the different unbelievable contributions that Mars has made as an individual, and as a musician, and that boundless vitality will proceed to encourage.”

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Williams grew up in a jazz-loving family, as his father performed trumpet for pickup bands by Gene Kruppa and Tommy Dorsey each time they stopped by way of Chicago. Williams shortly grew to adore swing music, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, and Charlie Parker. He skilled as a classical clarinetist for 10 years earlier than switching to saxophone throughout his ultimate yr of highschool. He attended DePaul College earlier than taking lessons from Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell on the Affiliation for the Development of Artistic Musicians.

In 1980, Williams joined the Waitresses, contributing to the Ohio new wave band’s debut album, Wasn’t Tomorrow Great?, and the follow-up Bruiseology. He earned his first Billboard hit within the form of “I Know What Boys Like,” which peaked at No. 62 on the Sizzling 100 chart. Williams’ most recognizable saxophone half, and maybe probably the most timeless one because of its common rotation as a vacation music, is his jubilant hook on the Waitresses’ 1981 single “Christmas Wrapping.”

When the Waitresses broke up in 1983, Williams was swiftly employed by the Psychedelic Furs for a tour earlier than extra formally becoming a member of the band. He appeared on the albums Mirror Strikes in 1984 and Midnight to Midnight in 1987. Although he left the Psychedelic Furs in 1989, Williams rejoined in 2005, happening to report saxophone for his or her 2020 comeback album, Fabricated from Rain. Their ultimate efficiency collectively was two days in the past on the music competition Darker Waves.