Don Nix is a songwriter and music producer. Although cited as being "obscure", he is a key figure in several genres of southern rock, soul and blues. He was instrumental in the creation of the trademark "Memphis Sound" and known for his work at Stax Records. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he attended Messick High School, where he began his musical career playing saxophone for instrumental soul group pioneers the Mar-keys (which later morphed into Booker T and the MGs).
One notable achievement was the collaboration with Harrison, Russell and many others in the production of the Concert for Bangladesh - a star-studded benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. Harrison asked Nix to assemble a "soul choir" for the show (Claudia Lennear, Marlin and Jeannie Greene, etc.) and later told Nix that he should join the singers onstage. Though reluctant, Nix explains that "you don't say 'no' to a Beatle." The concert's net proceeds were used to help alleviate dire conditions for the Children of Bangladesh.
He wrote and produced many solo albums and with groups such as the Alabama State Troopers, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Band, Beauty and the Beats, Paris Pilot, Moloch and Larry Rasberry and the Highsteppers. The song "Goin' Down" became a blues standard and was covered by Deep Purple, Pearl Jam, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mick Jagger, Maggie Bell with Stone the Crows and many others.
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