Don Myrick | |
|---|---|
 Myrick performing in 1982 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Donald Myrick (1940-04-06)April 6, 1940 Chicago, Illinois, U.S |
| Died | July 30, 1993(1993-07-30) (aged 53) |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1960s–1990s |
| Formerly of | |
Donald Myrick[1] (April 6, 1940 – July 30, 1993)[2] was an Americansaxophonist. A member ofthe Phenix Horns, he was best known for his work withEarth, Wind & Fire andPhil Collins.[3]
He playedalto,tenor, andsoprano 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 groupthe Pharaohs. Myrick is also credited as a founding member of theAssociation for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.[4]
Some of his most famous saxophone solos includePhil 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 & FireGratitude album, and "After the Love Has Gone", from the albumI Am. He performed with many prominent musicians, includingGrover Washington, Jr. andCarlos Santana.[5] Myrick appeared on records by artists includingBobby "Blue" Bland,The Dells,Regina Belle, theMighty Clouds of Joy, andHeaven 17.[6]
Earth, Wind & Fire's single "Runnin'" earned him the 1977/78Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental.[5]
.jpg)
Myrick attendedCrane Junior College inChicago, where he was part of a band called the Jazzmen withLouis Satterfield, who later joined him inthe Phenix Horns, performing withEarth, Wind & Fire. Myrick and Satterfield played inthe Pharaohs, with musicians fromChess Records, which included drummerMaurice White, who went on to found Earth, Wind & Fire.[7]
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Don Myrick" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Myrick was killed inLos Angeles, California by aSanta Monica police officer during a narcotics investigation.[8] While attempting to serve asearch warrant, police officer Gary Barbaro mistook abutane 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.[2]
Following a funeral service at a Baptist church, his body was buried atInglewood 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, theirwrongful death lawsuit against the city was settled for $400,000.[10]
The song "For a Friend" byPhil 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]
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
