Carol is a legend. She played electric bass on half the hit records made in L.A. in the ‘60s... probably 80% of the TV themes, countless movie scores. As early as the ‘50s, she was playing guitar on hits like Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba.”
She’s also notoriously touchy. Even though she appeared in Denny Tedesco’s “Wrecking Crew” documentary, she hates and rejects the “wrecking crew” nickname for the clique of studio musicians of which she was one of the principals. In the biopic “Love and Mercy,” an actress portrays Carol in a friendly dispute with Brian Wilson about key changes in one of his composition. Carol hated the scene and hated her character’s wardrobe and talked on social media about possibly suing... even though the scene was harmless and her attire was a near-replica of what she’s seen wearing in studio photos from the 1966-67 period.
I think I heard Glen Campbell say he actually played bass on Wichita Lineman but that the intro and bass riffs in the song were Carol Kaye’s ideas. It might not be too complicated but her contribution is the main reason that is one of my all times favorites. Am I misremembering? Did she actually play on the recording? I think, other than Hal Blaine, she might still be the most heard musician in music history.
Hmmm. Well many great artists are indeed touchy.