Mike Terry (saxophonist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mike Terry
Background information
Birth name	Andrew Alexander Terry
Born	(1940-07-18)July 18, 1940 Hempstead, Texas, U.S.
Died	October 30, 2008(2008-10-30) (aged 68) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	R&B Soul
Occupations	saxophonist, songwriter, arranger, producer
Instruments	Baritone saxophone
Years active	1959 - 1977
Labels	Motown, Giant, Ric-Tic, Okeh

Andrew Alexander "Mike" Terry (July 18, 1940 – October 30, 2008) was a very talented American musician. He played the saxophone, wrote songs, and helped arrange and produce music. He was also a musical director.

Mike Terry's baritone saxophone solos are famous. You can hear them on big hits like "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas (1963). He also played on "Where Did Our Love Go" by The Supremes (1964).

He was part of a group called The Funk Brothers. These musicians played on thousands of Motown songs from 1960 to 1967. They helped create at least seven number one hits in the U.S. Back then, Motown didn't usually name the studio musicians.

Mike Terry also arranged the music for the 1966 hit song "Cool Jerk" by The Capitols. Later, he became a record producer. He worked with other famous musicians like George Clinton and Jack Ashford.

Early Life

Mike Terry was born in Hempstead, Texas. This town is near Houston. His father owned a music store. His mother also played the piano.

When Mike was 8, his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. He went to Cass Technical High School. There, he started playing the baritone saxophone. He also met Paul Riser, who would later become a Motown musician. Mike was inspired by saxophonists like Charlie Parker and King Curtis.

Music Career

In the late 1950s, Mike Terry was a teenager. He joined a group called Popcorn and the Mohawks. This group included future Motown musicians like Popcorn Wylie and James Jamerson. The group recorded their first song in 1959. It was for Berry Gordy, who started Motown Records.

By 1960, Mike Terry joined the Joe Hunter Band. This group became the main studio musicians for Motown. They were known as the Funk Brothers. Mike played saxophone on Motown's first song to sell a million copies. This was "Shop Around" by The Miracles in 1960.

In 1961, he toured with Jackie Wilson's band. In 1962, he toured with Motown's first big show, the Motortown Revue. He also played on John Lee Hooker's song "Boom Boom" in 1962.

Famous Saxophone Solos

In 1963, Mike Terry's baritone saxophone solos became very popular. He played on hits produced by Holland/Dozier/Holland. These included "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas. He also played on Mary Wells' "You Lost the Sweetest Boy".

In 1964, he played the solo on The Supremes' first big hit, "Where Did Our Love Go." He also played on their next hit, "Baby Love". As a Funk Brother, he played on thousands of recordings. He usually played in the horn section with Hank Cosby. Motown did not usually name the studio musicians.

A music writer named Jason Ankeny said Mike Terry's sax playing was a key part of the famous Motown sound. He said Mike's solos were "grunting" and "electrified dozens of the most memorable hits." He added that Mike made up for not being super technical with his amazing rhythm.

James Jamerson, another Funk Brother, called him "Lil' Funk."

Beyond Playing

Mike Terry wanted to do more than just play music. He wanted to arrange and produce records. So, in the mid-1960s, he went to the Detroit Institute of Performing Arts. He studied to improve his musical skills.

In 1966, he was the official arranger for "Cool Jerk" by The Capitols. This song became a US Top 10 hit. He secretly recorded it with the Funk Brothers.

By 1966, he and Jack Ashford, another Funk Brother, planned to work together. They wanted to write and produce songs. Mike also worked with Ed Wingate at Ric-Tic Records. He recorded with artists like Edwin Starr and J. J. Barnes. In 1966, Mike joined George Clinton and Sidney Barnes. They formed a production team called Geo-Si-Mik. They produced songs for Clinton's group, The Parliaments, and Laura Lee.

Also in 1966, Terry and Ashford started Pied Piper Productions. They wrote, arranged, and produced songs for many artists.

In 1967, Mike Terry left Motown. He played on soul recordings in Philadelphia and Chicago. In December 1967, he became an arranger and producer for Epic Records and Okeh Records. He worked with artists like Maxine Brown.

From the late 1960s to the late 1970s, he worked in many cities. He was an arranger, producer, or musical director. He worked on a Broadway musical called Buck White in 1969. It featured Muhammad Ali. He also worked with Bill Cosby in Las Vegas.

In 1975, he was part of the Atlanta Disco Band. They released three dance songs and one album.

Mike Terry stopped working in the music industry in the late 1970s. He was not part of the Funk Brothers reunion that led to the 2002 movie Standing in the Shadows of Motown. However, he is mentioned in the DVD edition of the film.

Private Life

Mike Terry was married to singer and songwriter Mikki Farrow. Later, he married Liz, who passed away before him. He died in Detroit in 2008. He had children named Bridgette, Michael, and Matthew, and also step-children.

Honours and Awards

Mike Terry received special recognition for his musical contributions.

• In 2010, Mike Terry was added to the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was for his work as a member of the Funk Brothers.
• In 2014, Mike Terry was added to the Northern Soul Hall of Fame.

It's important to know that Mike Terry was a Motown studio musician. However, he was not personally listed in some awards. These awards mostly went to the 13 Funk Brothers who were part of the 2002 reunion.

• In 2004, the Funk Brothers received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
• In 2007, the Funk Brothers were added to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
• In 2013, the Funk Brothers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• In 2014, the Funk Brothers were added to the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Selective Discography

Singles

Albums