Don Myrick | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Donald Myrick |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S | April 6, 1940
Died | July 30, 1993 Los Angeles, California, U.S | (aged 53)
Genres |
|
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Saxophone, vocals |
Years active | 1960s–1990s |
Formerly of |
Donald Myrick [1] (April 6, 1940 – July 30, 1993) [2] was an American saxophonist. A member of the Phenix Horns, he was 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, 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. [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 featuring Myrick performing the sax solo in the official music video, filmed in a London pub.[ citation needed] 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 records 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]
Myrick attended Crane Junior College in Chicago, where he was part of a band called the Jazzmen with Louis Satterfield, who later joined him in the Phenix Horns, performing with Earth, Wind & Fire. Myrick and Satterfield played in the Pharaohs, with musicians from Chess Records, which included drummer Maurice White, who went on to found Earth, Wind & Fire. [7]
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verification. (May 2022) |
Myrick was killed in Los Angeles, California by a Santa Monica police officer 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. [10]
Following a funeral service at a Baptist church, his body was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles County.[ citation needed]
Myrick was survived by his mother, Antoinette Myrick-Carr (now deceased), wife Barbara (now deceased), and three daughters: Shani, Lauren, Shirika Myrick, as well as a cousin, Elliot Myrick.[ citation needed] 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 Myrick, who actively participated in Collins's songs and shows for many years.[ citation needed]
As a tribute, Gary Bias performs the saxophone solos that originated with Myrick at Earth, Wind & Fire's live shows.[ citation needed]
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