Paul Griffin (musician)

Born in Harlem, New York, he began as the touring pianist in the backing band for King Curtis and eventually worked with Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, Don McLean, the Isley Brothers, Van Morrison, the Shirelles, and Dionne Warwick.

He is extensively featured playing a virtuoso performance of gospel piano on Don McLean's single, "American Pie", and Paul Simon's "Tenderness".

He was an arranger for The Warriors (1979) and Four Friends (1981) and performed in On Location: Robert Klein at Yale (1982) and on the soundtrack for Blue Sunshine (1976).

He died of a heart attack at his home in New York at the age of 62, suffering from complications of diabetes.

[2][3] With Bob Dylan With Dion DiMucci With George Benson With Tom Rush With Wilson Pickett With Michael Franks With John Denver With Peter, Paul and Mary With Al Kooper With David Clayton-Thomas With Gloria Loring With Melba Moore With LaVern Baker With Janis Siegel With Solomon Burke With Jackie Lomax With Steely Dan With Marlena Shaw With Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway With John Lennon and Yoko Ono With Don McLean With Carly Simon With Roberta Flack With Judy Collins With Cheryl Lynn With Gloria Gaynor With Stephanie Mills With Donald Fagen With Yoko Ono With Van Morrison With Paul Simon With Garland Jeffreys With Aretha Franklin With Bonnie Raitt With Laura Nyro With The Free Design