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{{short description|American saxophonist (1940–1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Don Myrick
| background = person
| image = Don Myrick, live in Pasadena, CA, 1982.jpg
| name = Don Myrick
| image = Don Myrick, live in Pasadena, CA, 1982.jpg
| caption = Don Myrick in Pasadena, 1982
| caption = Myrick performing in 1982
| image_size =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| landscape =
| birth_name = Donald Myrick
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Donald Myrick
| alias =
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|1940|04|06}}
| native_name =
| birth_place = [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], U.S
| native_name_lang =
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|07|30|1940|04|06}}
| alias =
⚫
| death_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|1940|04|06}}
| birth_place = [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], U.S
| genre = {{hlist|Blues|soul|jazz|pop|rock|R&B|funk}}
| occupation = Musician
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|07|30|1940|04|06}}
⚫
| instrument = Saxophone, vocals
⚫
| death_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S
| years_active = 1960s–1990s
| genre = Blues, soul, jazz, pop, rock, R&B, funk
| occupation = Musician
| label =
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Pharaohs]]|[[The Phenix Horns]]}}
⚫
| instrument = Saxophone, vocals
| years_active = 1960s–1990s
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| label =
| associated_acts = [[The Pharaohs]], [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], [[Phenix Horns]], [[Phil Collins]]
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}
}}
⚫
'''Donald Myrick'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636737/bio|title=Don Myrick|website=IMDb|access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref> ([[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], April 6, 1940 – July 30, 1993)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-15/news/we-24271_1_donald-myrick|title=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.|last=CHAZANOV|first=MATHIS|date=1993-08-15|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-11-09|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> was a [[saxophonist]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/don-myrick-mn0001017768/credits|title=Don Myrick {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref>


⚫
'''Donald Myrick'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636737/bio|title=Don Myrick|website=IMDb|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> (April 6, 1940 – July 30, 1993)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-15/news/we-24271_1_donald-myrick|title=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.|last=CHAZANOV|first=MATHIS|date=August 15, 1993|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 9, 2018|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> was an American [[saxophonist]]. A member of [[the Phenix Horns]], he was best known for his work with [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] and [[Phil Collins]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/don-myrick-mn0001017768/credits|title=Don Myrick {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>
⚫
He played [[alto sax|alto]], [[tenor sax|tenor]] and [[soprano sax]] and was a member of [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]'s original horn section, [[Phenix Horns|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)<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Hey Donald|others=Roscoe Mitchell |year= 1994|first= Mike|last=Ervin}}</ref>


⚫
He played [[alto sax|alto]], [[tenor sax|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]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Hey Donald|others=Roscoe Mitchell |year= 1994|first= Mike|last=Ervin}}</ref>
⚫
Some of his most famous saxophone solos include [[Phil Collins]]': "All of My Life", "[[If Leaving Me Is Easy]]" and "[[One More Night (Phil Collins song)|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 (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Gratitude]]'' album, and "[[After the Love Has Gone]]" from the album ''[[I Am (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|I Am]]''. He performed with many prominent musicians including [[Grover Washington, Jr.]] and [[Carlos Santana]].<ref name=Jet23>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n17_v84/ai_14301676 "Saxophonist Donald Myrick fatally shot in drug probe"], ''[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]'', 23 August 1993.</ref> Myrick appeared on albums by artists including [[Bobby Bland|Bobby "Blue" Bland]], [[The Dells]], [[Regina Belle]], the [[Mighty Clouds of Joy]], and [[Heaven 17]].

⚫
Some of his most famous saxophone solos include [[Phil Collins]]' "All of My Life", "[[If Leaving Me Is Easy]]", and "[[One More Night (Phil Collins song)|One More Night]]", the latter featuring Myrick performing the sax solo in the official music video, filmed in a London pub.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} Another was the live recording of "Reasons", featured on the Earth Wind & Fire ''[[Gratitude (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Gratitude]]'' album, and "[[After the Love Has Gone]]", from the album ''[[I Am (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|I Am]]''. He performed with many prominent musicians, including [[Grover Washington, Jr.]] and [[Carlos Santana]].<ref name=Jet23>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n17_v84/ai_14301676 "Saxophonist Donald Myrick fatally shot in drug probe"], ''[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]'', August 23, 1993.</ref> Myrick appeared on records by artists including [[Bobby Bland|Bobby "Blue" Bland]], [[The Dells]], [[Regina Belle]], the [[Mighty Clouds of Joy]], and [[Heaven 17]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=EURPublisher01|date=July 30, 2020|title=Remembering Don Myrick, the Man Behind Epic Horn Riffs From Your Childhood – From 'Sun Goddess' to 'Sussudio' (EUR Video Throwback)|url=https://eurweb.com/2020/07/30/remembering-don-myrick-the-man-behind-epic-horn-riffs-from-your-childhood-from-sun-goddess-to-sussudio-eur-video-throwback/|access-date=May 22, 2021|website=EURweb}}</ref>


Earth, Wind & Fire's single "Runnin'" earned him the 1977/78 [[Grammy Award]] for Best R&B Instrumental.<ref name=Jet23 />
Earth, Wind & Fire's single "Runnin'" earned him the 1977/78 [[Grammy Award]] for Best R&B Instrumental.<ref name=Jet23 />


==Early life==
==Early life==
⚫
Myrick attended [[Malcolm X College|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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=One for the Road: The Pharaohs|url=https://chicagoist.com/article/undefined|access-date=May 21, 2021|website=The Chicagoist|archive-date=November 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106193205/https://chicagoist.com/2013/12/02/the_gathering_of_the_juggalos_leavi.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2018}}
⚫
Myrick attended [[Malcolm X College|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.


==Death==
==Death==
{{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{More citations needed|section|date=May 2022}}
⚫
Myrick was killed in [[Los Angeles, California]] by a [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]] policeman during a narcotics investigation.<ref>Chazanov, Mathis. [http://musicandculture.blogspot.com/2006/06/saxophonist-donald-myricks-1993-obit.html Obituary]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 15 August 1993.</ref> 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. Myrick died in the hospital shortly afterward, aged 53 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-15/news/we-24271_1_donald-myrick|title=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.|first=MATHIS|last=CHAZANOV|date=15 August 1993|access-date=10 May 2018|via=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>


⚫
Myrick was killed in [[Los Angeles, California]] by a [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]] police officer during a narcotics investigation.<ref>Chazanov, Mathis. [http://musicandculture.blogspot.com/2006/06/saxophonist-donald-myricks-1993-obit.html Obituary]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', August 15, 1993.</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Katel|first=Jacob|date=September 14, 2010|title=Top 10 Murdered Musicians You've Never Heard Of|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/top-10-murdered-musicians-youve-never-heard-of-6465040|access-date=May 22, 2021|website=Miami New Times}}</ref> Myrick died in the hospital shortly afterward, aged 53.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-15/news/we-24271_1_donald-myrick|title=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.|first=MATHIS|last=CHAZANOV|date=August 15, 1993|access-date=May 10, 2018|via=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
⚫
Following a funeral service at a Baptist church, his body was buried at [[Inglewood Park Cemetery]] in Los Angeles County.


⚫
Following a funeral service at a Baptist church, his body was buried at [[Inglewood Park Cemetery]] in Los Angeles County.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
⚫
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.<ref>Associated Press. "Lawsuit settled in Donald Myrick's death", 4 August 1995.</ref>


⚫
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|date=May 2022}} In 1995, their [[wrongful death]] lawsuit against the city was settled for $400,000.<ref>Associated Press. "Lawsuit settled in Donald Myrick's death", August 4, 1995.</ref>
⚫
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.


⚫
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|date=May 2022}}
⚫
As a tribute, [[Gary Bias]] performs the saxophone solos that originated with Myrick at Earth, Wind & Fire's live shows.


⚫
As a tribute, [[Gary Bias]] performs the saxophone solos that originated with Myrick at Earth, Wind & Fire's live shows.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
⚫
==Discography==


⚫
==Discography==
; With [[Howlin' Wolf]] :
; With [[Howlin' Wolf]]:
* ''[[The Howlin' Wolf Album]]'' (1969)
* ''[[The Howlin' Wolf Album]]'' (1969)


; With [[Phil Cohran|Philip Cohran]] & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble :
; With [[Phil Cohran|Philip Cohran]] & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble:
* ''The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute In Music)'' (1970)
* ''The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute in Music)'' (1970)


; With [[Donny Hathaway]] :
; With [[Donny Hathaway]]:
* ''[[Everything Is Everything (Donny Hathaway album)|Everything Is Everything]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Everything Is Everything (Donny Hathaway album)|Everything Is Everything]]'' (1970)


; With [[Odell Brown]] :
; With [[Odell Brown]]:
* ''Free Delivery'' (1970)
* ''Free Delivery'' (1970)


; With The Intentions :
; With the Intentions :
* ''Dig It / Blowing With The Wind'' - Single (1971)
* ''Dig It / Blowing with the Wind'' – Single (1971)


; ''With [[Jack McDuff]]''
; With [[Jack McDuff]]:
* ''[[The Heatin' System]]'' (Cadet, 1972)
* ''[[The Heatin' System]]'' (1972)


; With [[Terry Callier]] :
; With [[Terry Callier]]:
* ''What Colour is Love'' (1972)
* ''What Colour Is Love'' (1972)
* ''I Just Can't Help Myself'' (1973)
* ''I Just Can't Help Myself'' (1973)


; With Charles Bevel :
; With Charles Bevel:
* ''Meet "Mississippi Charles" Bevel'' (1973)
* ''Meet "Mississippi Charles" Bevel'' (1973)


; With Penny Goodwin :
; With Penny Goodwin:
* ''Portrait of a Gemini'' (1974)
* ''Portrait of a Gemini'' (1974)


; With [[Ramsey Lewis]] :
; With [[Ramsey Lewis]]:
* ''[[Sun Goddess (album)|Sun Goddess]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Sun Goddess (album)|Sun Goddess]]'' (1974)


; With [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] :
; With [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]:
* ''[[Gratitude (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Gratitude]]'' (1975)
* ''[[That's the Way of the World]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Gratitude (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Gratitude]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Spirit (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Spirit]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Spirit (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Spirit]]'' (1976)
* ''[[All 'n All]]'' (1977)
* ''[[All 'n All]]'' (1977)
* ''[[I Am (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|I Am]]'' (1979)
* ''[[I Am (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|I Am]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Faces (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Faces]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Faces (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Faces]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Raise!]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Raise!]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Powerlight]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Powerlight]]'' (1983)
* ''3'' - (1991) - Compilation 3-CD Boxset.
* ''[[The Eternal Dance]]'' (1992) – Compilation 3-CD boxset.
* ''[[The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire]]'' (2002) - Compilation.
* ''[[The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire]]'' (2002) - Compilation
* ''[[Live in Rio (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Live in Rio]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Live in Rio (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Live in Rio]]'' (2002)
* ''The Essential Plus'' (2004) - Compilation 2 CD + DVD.
* ''The Essential Plus'' (2004) – Compilation 2 CD + DVD
* ''The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire'' (2008) - 3 CD Compilation Limited Edition.
* ''The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire'' (2008) – 3-CD Compilation limited edition


; With [[Sky (English/Australian band)|Sky]] :
; With [[the Emotions]]:
* ''[[Flowers]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Rejoice!]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Sunbeam]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Come into Our World]]'' (1979)
* ''[[New Affair]]'' (1981)

; With [[Sky (English/Australian band)|Sky]]:
* ''[[Sky (Sky album)|Sky]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Sky (Sky album)|Sky]]'' (1979)


; With [[Phil Collins]] :
; With [[Phil Collins]] :
* ''[[Face Value (album)|Face Value]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Face Value (album)|Face Value]]'' ("Missed Again", "If Leaving Me Is Easy" 1981)
* ''[[Hello, I Must Be Going! (album)|Hello, I Must Be Going!]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Hello, I Must Be Going! (album)|Hello, I Must Be Going!]]'' ("I Cannot Believe It's True" 1982)
* ''Live at Perkins Palace'' (1983) - VHS Video
* ''Live at Perkins Palace'' (1983) – VHS video
* ''[[No Jacket Required]]'' (1985)
* ''[[No Jacket Required]]'' ("One More Night", "Who Said I Would?", "Inside Out" 1985)
* ''No Ticket Required"" (1985) - VHS Video
* ''No Ticket Required"" (1985) – VHS video
* ''[[...But Seriously]]'' (1989)
* ''[[...But Seriously]]'' ("All of My Life" 1989)
* ''[[Serious Hits... Live!]]'' (1990) - CD
* ''[[Serious Hits... Live!]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Serious Hits... Live!|Seriously Live]]'' (1990) - VHS Video
* ''...But Seriously, The Videos'' (1992) – VHS video
* ''[[Hits (Phil Collins album)|...Hits]]'' (1998)
* ''...But Seriously, The Videos'' (1992) - VHS Video
* ''[[Hits (Phil Collins album)|...Hits]]'' (1998)
* ''[[The Platinum Collection (Phil Collins album)|The Platinum Collection]]'' (2004) – 3-CD box set
* ''[[The Platinum Collection (Phil Collins album)|The Platinum Collection]]'' (2004) - 3 CD box set
* ''[[Love Songs: A Compilation... Old and New]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Love Songs: A Compilation... Old and New]]'' (2004)
* ''Hits Live 1990–1997'' (2004) – DVD
* ''Hits Live 1990-1997'' (2004) - DVD
* ''[[The Singles (Phil Collins album)|The Singles]]'' (2016)
* ''[[The Singles (Phil Collins album)|The Singles]]'' (2016)


; With [[Anni-Frid Lyngstad|Frida]] :
; With [[Anni-Frid Lyngstad|Frida]]:
* ''[[Something's Going On]]'' (1982) - Album produced by Phil Collins, with Daryl Stuermer, Mo Foster, The Phenix Horns, etc.
* ''[[Something's Going On]]'' (1982) – Album produced by Phil Collins, with Daryl Stuermer, Mo Foster, The Phenix Horns, etc.


; With [[Philip Bailey]] :
; With [[Philip Bailey]]:
* ''[[The Wonders of His Love]]'' - (1984) - Sax on ''I Will No Wise Cast You Out''.
* ''[[The Wonders of His Love]]'' (1984) – Sax on ''I Will No Wise Cast You Out''
* ''[[Chinese Wall (album)|Chinese Wall]]'' (1984) - With Phil Collins, Nathan East, The Phenix Horns, etc.
* ''[[Chinese Wall (album)|Chinese Wall]]'' (1984) – with Phil Collins, Nathan East, The Phenix Horns, etc.
* ''Chinese Wall / Inside Out'' (1988) - Double Compilation Album.
* ''Chinese Wall / Inside Out'' (1988) – Double compilation album


; With [[Heaven 17]] :
; With [[Heaven 17]]:
* ''[[How Men Are]]'' (1984)
* ''[[How Men Are]]'' (1984)
* "[[This Is Mine]]" (1984) - Single
* "[[This Is Mine]]" (1984) – Single
* ''[[Pleasure One]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Pleasure One]]'' (1986)


; With Shuybah :
; With Shuybah:
* ''Shuybah'' (1984)
* ''Shuybah'' (1984)


; With [[France Gall]] :
; With [[France Gall]]:
* ''Le Tour de France'' (1988)
* ''Le Tour de France'' (1988)


; Various Artists :
; Various artists:
* ''Knebworth'' (1990) - Plays with Phil Collins Band on ''Sussudio''.
* ''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''.
* ''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 on "Turn it on again Medley"
* ''El DeBarge – In the Storm'' (1991) Plays on the tracks, "Cry (Musical Interlude)", "Love Me Tonight", and "You Know What I Like"

==See also==
* [[List of unarmed African Americans killed by law enforcement officers in the United States]]


==Notes==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
*{{Find a Grave|3837}}
* {{Find a Grave|3837}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* Don Myrick Discography : https://www.discogs.com/fr/artist/253975-Don-Myrick?page=1
* Phil Collins Discography : https://www.discogs.com/artist/101028-Phil-Collins
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/101028-Phil-Collins Phil Collins discography] at Discogs


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Musicians from Chicago]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chicago]]
[[Category:Malcolm X College alumni]]
[[Category:Malcolm X College alumni]]
[[Category:African-American musicians]]
[[Category:African-American saxophonists]]
[[Category:American saxophonists]]
[[Category:American male saxophonists]]
[[Category:American male saxophonists]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in California]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in California]]
[[Category:Black people shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]]
[[Category:African Americans shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]]
[[Category:Burials at Inglewood Park Cemetery]]
[[Category:Burials at Inglewood Park Cemetery]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American saxophonists]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century saxophonists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:The Pharaohs members]]
[[Category:The Pharaohs members]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]

Latest revision as of 02:54, 23 September 2023

Don Myrick
Myrick performing in 1982
Myrick performing in 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
Genres
  • Blues
  • soul
  • jazz
  • pop
  • rock
  • R&B
  • funk
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Saxophone, vocals
Years active1960s–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]

Early life[edit]

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]

Death[edit]

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]

Discography[edit]

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 the Emotions
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 on "Turn it on again Medley"
  • El DeBarge – In the Storm (1991) Plays on the tracks, "Cry (Musical Interlude)", "Love Me Tonight", and "You Know What I Like"

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Don Myrick". IMDb. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  2. ^ CHAZANOV, MATHIS (August 15, 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". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  3. ^ "Don Myrick | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  4. ^ Ervin, Mike (1994). Hey Donald (Media notes). Roscoe Mitchell.
  5. ^ a b "Saxophonist Donald Myrick fatally shot in drug probe", Jet, August 23, 1993.
  6. ^ EURPublisher01 (July 30, 2020). "Remembering Don Myrick, the Man Behind Epic Horn Riffs From Your Childhood – From 'Sun Goddess' to 'Sussudio' (EUR Video Throwback)". EURweb. Retrieved May 22, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "One for the Road: The Pharaohs". The Chicagoist. Archived from the original on November 6, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ^ Chazanov, Mathis. Obituary. Los Angeles Times, August 15, 1993.
  9. ^ Katel, Jacob (September 14, 2010). "Top 10 Murdered Musicians You've Never Heard Of". Miami New Times. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  10. ^ CHAZANOV, MATHIS (August 15, 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 May 10, 2018 – via Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ Associated Press. "Lawsuit settled in Donald Myrick's death", August 4, 1995.

External links[edit]

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