The Wrecking Crew
Members of the Wrecking Crew employed for a session at Gold Star Studios in the 1960s. "The Wrecking Crew" was a nickname coined by drummer Hal Blaine for a collective of studio and session musicians that played anonymously on many records in Los Angeles, California during the 1960s. The crew backed dozens of popular singers, and were one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history. They were occasionally featured on productions by Phil Spector under the name the Phil Spector Wall of Sound Orchestra. Other names such as "the Clique" and "the First Call Gang" have been attributed to the band.
Two of their members, drummers Hal Blaine and Earl Palmer, were among the inaugural "sidemen" inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, while the entire Wrecking Crew was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2008, they were the subject of the documentary of the same name.
Two of their members, drummers Hal Blaine and Earl Palmer, were among the inaugural "sidemen" inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, while the entire Wrecking Crew was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2008, they were the subject of the documentary of the same name.
The record producers most often associated with the Wrecking Crew are: Phil Spector, who used the Crew to create his trademark "Wall of Sound"; and Beach Boys member and songwriter Brian Wilson, who used the Crew's talents on many of his mid-1960s productions including the songs "Good Vibrations", California Girls", Pet Sounds, and the original recordings for Smile. Members of the Wrecking Crew played on the first Byrds single recording, "Mr. Tambourine Man", because, with the exception of Roger McGuinn, Columbia Records—namely, producer Terry Melcher —did not trust the musical competency of the band's members. Spector used the Wrecking Crew on Leonard Cohen's fifth album, Death of a Ladies Man.
So here is a group, "The Wrecking Crew", that accompanied most popular hit records during the 50's and 60's . . . and . . . most of us, never heard of them. Backup music during the 50's was originally contracted on the East Coast. Those guys demanded printed music sheets outlining exactly which notes to play. No improvisation.
Rock and Roll was just coming on the scene. Artists wanted (and needed) more. They would not get that on the East Coast . . . but in Los Angeles "The Wrecking Crew" was ready to get the job done! No written or "preplanned" script required. Their talent was to "Make Music" and make it they did. The Wrecking Crew is most certainly the reason for the success of many of our most popular singers of the day.
Following is a rare look at the "The Wrecking Crew's" creative talent. Watch as they transform a background sound into something great. Glen Campbell plays lead guitar. Glen could not read music.
Rock and Roll was just coming on the scene. Artists wanted (and needed) more. They would not get that on the East Coast . . . but in Los Angeles "The Wrecking Crew" was ready to get the job done! No written or "preplanned" script required. Their talent was to "Make Music" and make it they did. The Wrecking Crew is most certainly the reason for the success of many of our most popular singers of the day.
Following is a rare look at the "The Wrecking Crew's" creative talent. Watch as they transform a background sound into something great. Glen Campbell plays lead guitar. Glen could not read music.
Happy New Year from the flipSide!
Till Next Week
Harv
Till Next Week
Harv
