Don Frank Brooks

Don Frank Brooks (8 March 1947 Dallas, Texas – 25 October 2000 Manhattan, New York) was an American blues harmonica performing artist.

Career

Brooks was a full-time harmonica player with Waylon Jennings and was a prolific session musician with artists that included Jerry Jeff Walker, Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Tim Curry, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, The Talking Heads, Tim Hardin, The Bee Gees, Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band, the James Gang.^[1][2] He was an on stage musician on Broadway in Big River in 1985, and The Gospel at Colonus in 1988, and was heard for weeks on public television on Ken Burns' documentary series The Civil War.^[3]

He had attended the University of North Texas, where, among other things he had been founding member of the Folk Music Club.

He was known for his ability to bring out the best of the other performers he played along with.^[4]

Brooks died of leukemia in 2000.^[5]

Film work

• Buck and the Preacher — (1972)
• Fame — (1980)
• Outlaws — (1985)

Selected discography

• Don McLean — Don McLean (1972)
• Feeling the Space — Yoko Ono/The Plastic Ono Band (1973)
• Newborn — James Gang (1975)
• Judith — Judy Collins (1975)
• Bread and Roses — Judy Collins (1976)
• Rumors — Arrogance (1976)
• Peaks, Valleys, Honky Tonks & Alleys — Michael Martin Murphey (1979)
• Loving You Is Where I Belong — Harry Belafonte (1981)
• Read My Lips — Tim Curry (1978)

References