Don Myrick

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Don Myrick
Don Myrick in Pasadena, 1982
Don Myrick in Pasadena, 1982
Background information
Birth nameDonald Myrick
Born(1940-04-06)April 6, 1940
Chicago, Illinois, U.S
DiedJuly 30, 1993(1993-07-30) (aged 53)
Los Angeles, California, U.S
GenresBlues, soul, jazz, pop, rock, R&B, funk
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsSaxophone, vocals
Years active1960s–1990s
Associated actsThe Pharaohs, Earth, Wind & Fire, Phenix Horns, Phil Collins

Donald Myrick[1] (Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 1940 – July 30, 1993)[2] was an American saxophonist. He was a member of the Phenix Horns, best known for his work with Earth, Wind & Fire and Phil Collins.[3]

He played alto, tenor and soprano sax as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire's original horn section, The Phenix Horns Esq. from 1975 through 1982. Previously, Myrick had been a member of the musical group The Pharaohs. Myrick is also credited as a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM)[4]

Some of his most famous saxophone solos include Phil Collins': "All of My Life", "If Leaving Me Is Easy" and "One More Night", the latter even featuring Myrick performing the sax solo in the official music video, filmed in a London pub. Another was the live recording of "Reasons" featured on the Earth Wind & Fire Gratitude album, and "After the Love Has Gone" from the album I Am. He performed with many prominent musicians including Grover Washington, Jr. and Carlos Santana.[5] Myrick appeared on albums by artists including Bobby "Blue" Bland, The Dells, Regina Belle, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, and Heaven 17.[6]

Earth, Wind & Fire's single "Runnin'" earned him the 1977/78 Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental.[5]

Early life[]

Myrick attended Crane Junior College in Chicago, Illinois, where he was part of a band called The Jazzmen with Louis Satterfield, who later joined him with the Phenix Horns performing with Earth, Wind & Fire. Myrick and Satterfield played with The Pharaohs with musicians from Chess Records who included drummer Maurice White, who became Earth, Wind & Fire's founder.[7]

Death[]

Myrick was killed in Los Angeles, California by a Santa Monica policeman during a narcotics investigation.[8] While attempting to serve a search warrant, Police Officer Gary Barbaro mistook a butane lighter in Myrick's hand for a weapon. He fired a single bullet that hit Myrick in the chest.[9] Myrick died in the hospital shortly afterward, aged 53 years.[10]

Following a funeral service at a Baptist church, his body was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles County.

Myrick was survived by his mother, Antoinette Myrick-Carr (now deceased), wife Barbara (now deceased), and three daughters; Shani, Lauren, Shirika Myrick, and a cousin, Elliot Myrick. In 1995, their wrongful death lawsuit against the city was settled for $400,000.[11]

The song "For a Friend" by Phil Collins, released on the CD single "We Wait and We Wonder" in 1993, was a tribute to his friend, who actively participated in Collins's songs and shows for many years.

As a tribute, Gary Bias performs the saxophone solos that originated with Myrick at Earth, Wind & Fire's live shows.

Discography[]

With Howlin' Wolf
With Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble
  • The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute In Music) (1970)
With Donny Hathaway
With Odell Brown
  • Free Delivery (1970)
With The Intentions
  • Dig It / Blowing With The Wind - Single (1971)
With Jack McDuff
With Terry Callier
  • What Colour is Love (1972)
  • I Just Can't Help Myself (1973)
With Charles Bevel
  • Meet "Mississippi Charles" Bevel (1973)
With Penny Goodwin
  • Portrait of a Gemini (1974)
With Ramsey Lewis
With Earth, Wind & Fire
With Sky
With Phil Collins
With Frida
  • Something's Going On (1982) - Album produced by Phil Collins, with Daryl Stuermer, Mo Foster, The Phenix Horns, etc.
With Philip Bailey
  • The Wonders of His Love - (1984) - Sax on I Will No Wise Cast You Out.
  • Chinese Wall (1984) - With Phil Collins, Nathan East, The Phenix Horns, etc.
  • Chinese Wall / Inside Out (1988) - Double Compilation Album.
With Heaven 17
With Shuybah
  • Shuybah (1984)
With France Gall
  • Le Tour de France (1988)
Various Artists
  • Knebworth (1990) - Plays with Phil Collins Band on Sussudio.
  • Live At Knebworth - Parts One, Two & Three (1990) - Plays with Phil Collins & The Serious Band on In The Air Tonight & Sussudio as well as with Genesis & The Serious Band together on Turn it on again Medley.

References[]

  1. ^ "Don Myrick". IMDb. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  2. ^ CHAZANOV, MATHIS (1993-08-15). "Questions Cloud Life, Death of Saxophonist : Music: Those who loved Donald Myrick are still in shock over his fatal shooting by police in an apartment where drugs allegedly were found". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  3. ^ "Don Myrick | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  4. ^ Ervin, Mike (1994). Hey Donald (Media notes). Roscoe Mitchell.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Saxophonist Donald Myrick fatally shot in drug probe", Jet, 23 August 1993.
  6. ^ EURPublisher01 (2020-07-30). "Remembering Don Myrick, the Man Behind Epic Horn Riffs From Your Childhood – From 'Sun Goddess' to 'Sussudio' (EUR Video Throwback)". EURweb. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  7. ^ "One for the Road: The Pharaohs". The Chicagoist. Archived from the original on 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  8. ^ Chazanov, Mathis. Obituary. Los Angeles Times, 15 August 1993.
  9. ^ Katel, Jacob (2010-09-14). "Top 10 Murdered Musicians You've Never Heard Of". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  10. ^ CHAZANOV, MATHIS (15 August 1993). "Questions Cloud Life, Death of Saxophonist : Music: Those who loved Donald Myrick are still in shock over his fatal shooting by police in an apartment where drugs allegedly were found". Retrieved 10 May 2018 – via Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ Associated Press. "Lawsuit settled in Donald Myrick's death", 4 August 1995.

External links[]

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