CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — After he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer about one year ago, Chicago saxophonist Mars Williams died Monday at the age of 68, according to a statement from his family.
In honor of Williams, his band Liquid Soul will play a benefit show at Metro Saturday night. The show was originally going to be a fundraiser for his medical treatment.
In addition to Liquid Soul, the convert is expected to feature a variety of musicians, including members of the Dave Matthews Band.
Williams was born in Elmhurst and was perhaps best-known for his time with The Waitresses and The Psychedelic Furs. He also performed with Billy Idol.
“Until the end, Mars’ inexhaustible humor and energy, and his love for music pushed him forward,” read a statement from Williams’ family. “As it became clear in late summer that his treatment options were coming to an end, he chose to spend six weeks of the time he had left living as he had since he was a teenager — out on the road performing night after night.”
Of those last performances, his family wrote that they will “live on with all of the other incredible contributions Mars has made as a person and as a musician.”
According to that statement, Williams' was “surrounded by family and friends” when he died.
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