Mars Williams, a highly acclaimed saxophone player and member of the iconic bands The Waitresses and Psychedelic Furs, passed away on Monday at the age of 68. The Chicago Tribune confirmed Williams' passing and reported that he succumbed to ampullary cancer, a rare condition that he had been battling for the past year.

During his tenure with The Waitresses from 1980 to 1983, Williams' saxophone became a distinctive feature of the band's sound. He contributed his musical talents to hits like "Christmas Wrapping," "Square Pegs," and "I Know What Boys Like," as well as other saxophone-heavy tracks such as the title track of their album "Bruiseology."

In 1983, Williams was asked to fill in for the Psychedelic Furs' absent saxophonist on an overseas tour, which eventually led to an extended period with the band until 1989. After a break, Williams reunited with the Psychedelic Furs in 2005 and continued performing with them until his final tour dates last month in October.

Although Williams primarily delved into jazz, he also ventured into experimental ensembles throughout his career. Notably, he spent 25 years as a member of the Chicago group Liquid Soul, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Record in 2001. Described by the Village Voice as "Chicago's premier funk-jazz ensemble," Liquid Soul combined bebop with hip-hop, showcasing Williams' versatile skills on the saxophone.

Williams' remarkable talent earned him collaborations with various rock and jazz musicians, as listed on his website. Noteworthy artists he performed with live or on record include Billy Idol, the Killers, Power Station, Wayne Kramer, Ministry, Bill Laswell, and John Scoffield, among others.

In addition to his band affiliations, Williams also led or participated in other notable ensembles such as the NRG Ensemble, Trio No Mas, the Chicago Reed Quartet, the Mars Williams Music Book Orchestra, and Boneshaker. His recent contributions included a saxophone solo on Kesha's cover of "Children of the Revolution" for a T. Rex tribute album.

Born in Elmhurst, Illinois in 1955, Williams initially played classical clarinet for 10 years before transitioning to the saxophone. He drew inspiration from renowned musicians like Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Ornette Coleman.

Williams was not only a talented musician but also a committed advocate for fellow musicians. Having been sober for 20 years, he actively supported struggling artists through the MusiCares program.

A benefit concert scheduled for this Saturday at Chicago's Metro, intended to raise funds for Williams' medical care, will now serve as a celebration of his life. The concert will feature Richard Butler, Zachary Alford, and Rich Good from the Psychedelic Furs, as well as Ike Reilly and Jeff Coffin from the Dave Matthews Band, joining Williams' longtime bandmates from Liquid Soul.

The passing of Mars Williams leaves a void in the music industry, but his extraordinary contributions, unique sensibility, and unwavering passion for his craft will be cherished and remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike.