Don Shinn

Donald John Shinn (15 December 1945 – 18 February 2023) was an English keyboard player, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist. He is widely regarded as the first progressive rock musician ever with his May 1966 "A-Minor Explosion" single. He was known primarily as an organist and pianist, and also played vibraphone.

Biography He was born Donald John Walsh in West Ham, London, and when young was adopted by the Shinn family in Southampton, Hampshire, where he grew up. He learned piano as a child, before joining the military and playing clarinet in an Army band. After returning to Southampton, he bought a Bird Duplex organ and joined local band The Lonely Ones, becoming known for his habit of playing the organ pedals with bare feet. Shinn also recorded with another Southampton band, The MeddyEvils.

The Soul Agents disbanded, and Shinn formed a new group, simply called Shinn, in early 1967, with Eddie Lamb (vocals), Paul Newton (bass – later of Uriah Heep), and Brian Davison (drums – later of The Nice). However, the band split up after a few months, and Shinn joined The Echoes, backing Dusty Springfield. In late 1967, record producer Denis Preston invited Shinn to record a solo album. The instrumental album, initially titled Don Shinn... Takes a Trip but then retitled Temples With Prophets for release in the UK, was eventually issued by Columbia in early 1969. Shinn's second album, Departures was released later in 1969. Shinn also worked as a session musician, playing organ, electric piano and harpsichord on James Taylor's debut album.