Posted on 03/11/2019 4:07:10 PM PDT by DeathBeforeDishonor1
Drummer Hal Blaine, who propelled dozens of major hit records during the ‘60s and ‘70s as a member of the “Wrecking Crew,” Hollywood’s elite, ubiquitous cadre of first-call studio musicians, died Monday, according to a statement from family members on his official Facebook page. He was 90.
“May he rest forever on 2 and 4,” read the statement. “The family appreciates your outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Hal from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”
According to a 2017 Modern Drummer feature by Dennis Diken (himself the drummer of the New Jersey band the Smithereens), Blaine appeared on more than 35,000 recordings, including some 6,000 singles.
“Blaine’s drumming could be found on all reaches of the Hot 100 — usually near the top,” Diken wrote.
He was featured on the majority of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” productions, including the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” which featured perhaps the most indelible drum introduction in rock ‘n’ roll history. He also appeared on many of the Beach Boys’ best-known records (standing in for the L.A. band’s Dennis Wilson), including the classic 1966 album “Pet Sounds” and the experimental single from that same year, “Good Vibrations.”
Blaine appeared on such No. 1 hits as the Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel,” the Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the 5th Dimension’s “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” the Carpenters’ “Close to You” and Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were.”
The most adaptable of studio percussionists, he also cut dates such notables as Elvis Presley (on both record and movie dates), Sam Cooke, Dean Martin, Jan & Dean, Johnny Rivers, the Monkees, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Nancy Sinatra, the Mamas and the Papas, Cher, John Denver and Steely Dan.
In the end it may be easier to list the musicians he didn’t support during his years of work during the heyday of such Hollywood studios as Capitol, Gold Star, United, Western and RCA. His work also encompassed movie soundtracks and TV scores and themes.
Blaine was married and divorced five times. His survivors include daughter Michelle.
She was a popular jazz singer before she joined the Seekers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY7pGws2qjQ
Me too. My daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said Chicagovich. She said what’s that? I told her is was an album by a Chicago cover band from Russia.
She thought I was kidding.
I so badly wanted to see them on their recent US tour but the nearest show was 200 miles away and conflicted wit a business trip
Sorry dude. You’re now addicted. Wishing You Were Here is hauntingly good
Your quite right. I just watched 25 or 6 to 4 and Beginnings. And I’m going back for more!
One good turn deserves another. Look up Vulfpeck on YouTube. Try “Deantown”, “Corey Wong” and “I Lost My Treble A Long Time Ago”. I screw up trying to post links, sorry.
The only member of the Byrd’s who played on that recording of Mr. Tambourine Man was Byrd’s lead guitarist Roger McGuinn.
Mr. Tambourine Man, written by Bob Dylan, was about a drug pusher. Dylan’s recording of the song on his 1965 album “Bringing It All Back Home” had about 8 verses but the Byrd’s recording of the song was very short and had only one verse.
An absolute legend. RIP.
Early Chicago is not easy to cover, the level of musicianship on those early albums is top notch.
“Your quite right. I just watched 25 or 6 to 4 and Beginnings. And I’m going back for more!”
Terry Kath was a phenomenal guitar player, that he could sing was a bonus. Shame he took his own life.
I’d love to see if they did “A Hit By Varese”, my favorite Chicago song.
“The Wrecking Crew” was a great documentary. It’s been on Netlifx several times. Probably out of Rotation right now. If you ever get a chance to watch it - watch it.
I strongly recommend to everyone reading this to see the film “The Wrecking Crew” especially if you are 55+. I think that I saw it on Netflix some time ago, don’t know where it is now.
Maybe it’ll go back in now. It was great. There was another one about the Swampers capped Muscle Shoals
I just finished reading The Wrecking Crew. So sad to read that Blaine has died. He was the best of the best. Great book for those of us who were part of the 60’s music generation. RIP Mr Blaine.
“I’m so sad, I don’t know what to say,” Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson tweeted Monday. “Hal Blaine was such a great musician and friend that I can’t put it into words. Hal taught me a lot, and he had so much to do with our success — he was the greatest drummer ever. We also laughed an awful lot. Love, Brian”
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hal-blaine-drummer-dead-90-806827/
It’s a fantastic story. You’d really enjoy the film, if you get a chance. I watched it on Netflix but it’s no longer there. It was great to reminisce to the tunes of the late 50s & 60s. It’s the only music I listen to today !
He’s up to at least six marriages now, in the latest report. A stark symbol of the breakdown of marriage that is destroying society. Accompanied by an increasing use of public profanity.
Blah Blah Blah......
PS:Six idiots looking for some $$$$$$$
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