Donald Shinn (15 Dec 1945 - 18 Feb 2023)

Wonderful. I remember the first or second time ( I think I remember him at the Melody Maker competition when Pete sang with Soul Agents) i saw him at the Coach House rehearsing with Roxoff (Iguana). He was playing the big Hammond with bass pedals. It still makes me smile. In fact he always made me smile. Lovely man. Sleep well, but I recon you’ll find a keyboard to play somewhere.

I first saw Don when a school friend persuaded me into attending a Soul Agents gig. We occasionally chatted at the Waterfront Club, and in 1967, hearing that I'd just left a band, he did me the honour of asking me to find a baritone sax player, a trumpeter, and a trombonist, and co-lead an 8-piece band with him. One side of me has always regretted turning his offer down, but I knew I would never be good enough to play in his company. We met up again a few years ago, and I've always enjoyed his playing and his company. A wonderful guy, and a great musician.

I first met Don through my partner Steve Christie. I attended a Soul Agents reunion as Steve’s father was also in the band with Don during the 1960’s. I found him such a delightful and eccentric man. He and Steve became good friends, both keen Organ players. He used to sing to our daughters and keep us all entertained! Such a lovely and generous soul. We shall miss him dearly. Certainly one of a kind, thank you Don xx

I've known Don since I was about 17 years old. I first met him
at the Cliff Hotel in Woolston. He was always a unique character! I can remember him playing the organ there- brilliant! Later - our son, Steve, became very friendly with him (he appealed to all generations!) My husband, Tony Christie and Don were both in the Soul Agents in the 60s Bye Don - there'll never be anyone else like you! xxx

A revolutionary innovative musician, thank you Don , let the good times roll

Memories of Don Shinn
I first met Don at Regents Park Secondary School for Boys, Southampton, in 1957.
Don’s warmth of character attracted a friendship; his abundant generosity exampled when he cycled from Shirley to Marchwood Youth Club to play piano in his entertaining, enthusiastic style.
We lost touch after leaving school but my best friend Bill Lamb from those school days re-ignited the friendship with Don in recent years.
The three of us met socially at Hampshire pubs, thoroughly entertained by Don’s incredible knowledge of world affairs and stories of his amazing musical career.
Our most talented friend Don made an indelible, positive, warm stamp on this challenging world.
Thankfully, Don continues to shine through our memories and the many video recordings lovingly preserved by his partner Pat Othen.
Don was unique! He will be deeply missed.
Roger Young.

We are so thankful that we got the chance to meet you on holiday. We will always have fun memories of the times, we got to spend together.
Tracy and Nigel

May you Don my darling lie in pace with the angels and ur smile will remain in our hearts.
You have given love from yr passionate soul and yr music made so many happy and joyful over the years worldwide.
Your a fantastic man with so much kindness and made pat and so many happy throughout your life
Thank you for what you did for my mothers funeral and I’ll never forget you.
I know you were so happy with pat travelling the world playing piano your just Amazing.
Rest beautifully
Love paula tony freya and tobi xxx

Myself and my partner Jim from Ireland had the pleasure to meet Don and Pat in Malta in January. It was wonderful to meet them and it will always remain a special highlight of our trip. Don was a real gentleman and we enjoyed our conversation with him sharing many stories of his life. We also shared a beautiful boat trip of the bay, which ended with Rod Stewart’s song 🎵 playing ‘We are sailing’ What a lovely memory. May Don RIP 🎵🌹

It was a previleg knowing Don and although we met only few times his beautiful soul and his great musical talent will remain a treasured memories!

Don was a true gentleman and a unique talent. I loved to watch you and Don on your travels, playing his music whenever he went.

DON- I KNEW HIM FOR AROUND THE LAST 7 YEARS HE WAS MY NEIGHBOUR LIVING ON THE NEXT ROAD TO ME BUT WE GIG GOERS WOULD SEE HIM PLAYING LIVE AT THE LOCAL VENUES MAINLY FOR HIS AND OUR ENJOYMENt as time went on I learned more about his history and realized I had seen him playing in the sixties as well at SARISBURY GREEN and THE WATERFRONT club WOOLSTON without repeating his story overmuch he had a rich musical history backing many big names in the industry HERE. NORWAY ALSO ' STATESIDE ' that he could rightly be proud -of rest easy DON on that 'soul train '.
EVERYONE SPEAKS WELL OF HIMoften see him with PAT SHOPPING IN SHIRLEY

I only knew don a short time my husband Geoff knew him longer than me he was a gentleman and the most brilliant musician he could play all genres off music I loved him playing boogie woogie will be sadly missed by the music community off Southampton R.I.P