HE performed regularly with Rod Stewart and was cited, alongside Jimi Hendrix, as the greatest influence of Keith Emerson, of rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Southampton has lost a musical legend following the death of Hammond organist and pianist Don Shinn, aged 77.
A gifted keyboard player, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, Don had a huge influence on prog rock and jazz rock over the years.
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Born in 1945 in London, he was adopted at six months of age by his adored parents Bert and Mary.
He attended Regents Park School, giving his first public performances on harmonica during assemblies.
A self-taught pianist, he chose life as a Junior Bandsman in The Royal Armoured Corp over art college, but left just before his 18th birthday and bought himself an organ.
Don's musical career took off in the early 60s with a local band The Lonely Ones, later renamed The Soul Agents, a moniker inspired by a sign Don spotted outside a church in Shirley.
They were the regular backing group for a young Rod Stewart, landing a weekly residency at The Marquee Club in Soho and travelling all over the UK performing gigs.
Don also recorded with another Southampton band, The MeddyEvils, and worked as a session player with the likes of Robert Palmer, Kiki Dee, Elkie Brooks, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Dusty Springfield.
In 1974, he visited a friend in Norway and stayed until 1995 when his beloved mum died and he returned home.
Once back in Southampton, Don continued to play with local bands, including writing and recording for The Spitfire Sisters.
A chance encounter a decade ago with an old friend, Pat Othen, sparked a blissful romance, which saw Pat reignite Don's passion for playing.
His records were reissued in recent years and Keith Emerson was quoted as saying Don, and Jimi Hendrix, were the major influences for his celebrated on-stage persona.
Most recently, Don was a founding member of The AllStars, a collective of some of Southampton's most respected, successful, and loved performers, and played a set at Music In the City, the annual festival which sees dozens of performers pop up in historic hotspots and unusual venues.
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