Myrick, Don (6th April 1940-30th July 1993)

He was a saxophonist, nicknamed Hippmo from childhood, born in Chicago, Illinois, who studied at college and in those years became firm friends and a fellow musician with Louis Satterfield, who he would work with from then on.

He joined his college band, The Jazzmen, where one of them was his future co-musician, Maurice White, and after branching out as professional musician he became a member of Chicago’s Old Regal Theater’s house band, The Pharoahs and backed artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Smokey Robinson. Maurice White called up Don and Louis Satterfield and asked them to move to California and this was the beginning of the famed horn section of Earth, Wind & Fire known as The Phenix Horns. He also toured and recorded with Phil Collins as a member of The Phenix Horns, and is remembered for his performance of the sax solo on his “One More Night” as well as Earth, Wind & Fire’s “After the Love Has Gone” and “Runnin'” which one him the “Best R&B Instrumental” Grammy Award in 1977.

Continually called up by other artists he also performed with artists such as Anita Baker, The Dells, The Gap Band, Heaven 17, LaToya Jackson, The Jacksons, Diana Ross, Patrice Rushen, Carlos Santana, Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington Jr., Howlin’ Wolf and many others.

Albums he appeared on through the course of his career include Rapture by Anita Baker, Knee Plays by David Byrne, Face Value, Hello, I Must Be Going, But Seriously… and No Jacket Required by Phil Collins, Take It to the Limit by Norman Connors, Gratitude, All ‘n’ All, Eternal Dance, Faces, Raise, Powerlight and I Am by Earth, Wind & Fire, Flowers and Rejoice by The Emotions, Something’s Going On by Frida, The Gap Band, Classic by Adrian Gurvitz, Everything is Everything by Donny Hathaway, That’s What Friends Are For by Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams, In the Basement by The Pharoahs, Special Things by The Pointer Sisters, Changing of the Gard by Stargard, Tenderness Togetherness by Stanley Turrentine and Whisper in Your Earby The Whispers.

Suffering from leukaemia, tragedy struck when he was fatally shot by a police officer in Santa Monica after his house was visited due to allegations of drug charges. The officer opened his door to find him with a lighter in his hand, which was obviously thought to be a weapon. In 1995 it was deemed a wrongful death and the city paid a $400,000 settlement. He was just 53 years old.

The Gap Band recordings
Baby Baba Boogie (Lonnie Simmons/Charlie Wilson)

Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams recordings
Emotion (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
S CBS 6164B (UK 45)

Sources:

Myrick, Don (6th April 1940-30th July 1993)

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