Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew

by Hal Blaine

Ever wonder what it would be like to be the most recorded musician in popular music? This updated bestselling autobiography spotlights Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and drummer extraordinaire Hal Blaine and his remarkable life experiences. From the Sinatras to the Beach Boys, Blaine drumrolled through the'50s, '60s and '70s, driving over 40 songs to the Number One slot. His works with Phil Spector and the Wrecking Crew sessions, his touring experiences and other hitmaking pressure sessions are amusingly revealed in this rare glimpse into a golden age of music. Exclusive scrapbook photos round out this biography to provide an entertaining and educating book for musicians and fans alike.

The update brings his life into the 21st century, including info on his inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, dealing with Spector's infamous trials, and recently, the renewed interest in his golden era of recording with the documentary film on the Wrecking Crew and all the new wave of accocalades that followed.

Genres: Music, Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to write one review dealing with both “The Wrecking Crew” and “Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew” and post it at each book’s review slot.since both books were so closely related.

The recording industry, up until relatively recent times, supported an elite group of musicians who could create on cue, sight read music and, in short, deliver the goods in the time allowed. In large recording centers like NYC and LA this group could number several hundred musicians who jumped from studio to studio doing as many as four or five recording sessions a day. Although the work was largely anonymous, the pay was good and musicians who thought they played well enough to cut it vied for the work. Studio work was the pinnacle for the working musician and studio musicians were highly respected within the industry. Today this scene has largely dissipated, with musicians being the victims of computer technology and shrinking demand.

The two books under discussion deal with the musicians (in this case primarily rhythm section players) in LA during the 60s and 70s who occupied this spot and played on countless hits during that era. I enjoyed both books with a slight edge to the Hal Blaine book. Hal is a musician and his understanding of the scene speaks to me a shade better than Kent Hartman, who seems to include every recording rhythm section player in LA into the Wrecking Crew umbrella.Blaine just mentions fewer people in reference to the Wrecking Crew. Carol Kaye, a highly respected musician mentioned in both books as a WC member, has disputed the use of the name at all. She says she never heard it used and it is simply a publicity ploy by the writers. In any event, as a musician active in that era (although in the NYC area) I found reading these books very enjoyable. I learned a little bit more about who played on what and a little more about the differences in studio work between the two coasts. For one thing – in LA musicians had to bring their own drums and amplifiers to the studo. The NY studios all had amplifiers and drums available for use. This of course resulted in NY musicians being able to get from studio to studio quicker and with less of a problem.

Recommended for people with an interest in the recording industry of the 60s and 70s and the people making those records.

[Sharon Colarusso Roarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hal Blaine and The Wrecking Crew, the updated best selling autobiography of Hal Blaine, by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Wrecking Crew drummer extraordinaire, Hal Blaine, was a delight to read. Previous books I've read and reviewed here on Goodreads that tell the stories of famed Wrecking Crew members, are You've Heard These Hands by Wrecking Crew musician, Don Randi, and The Wrecking Crew by Kent Hartman, were equally delightful and great fun to read. I would suggest you read all three and any others you can get your hands on, as well as view the Wrecking Crew documentary by Denny Tedesco, Wrecking Crew musician Tommy Tedesco's son.
By now, most people are familiar with the famed Wrecking Crew, music's best kept secret of studio musicians who have played on thousands of famous recordings for the Beach Boys, The Carpenters, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, The Mamas & The Papas, The Byrds, The Grass Roots, Phil Spector and his famous 'Wall of Sound', and so many more! Hal's prose reads as if you were sitting with him just talking while he recounts countless stories of his working with some of the most famous acts in mucical history. He recounts his rise from humble beginnings in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he was born, his time serving his country in Korea, and to becoming the most sought after studio musician in the business. Of all the books I've read on the subject, I'm glad I saved Hal's for last (so far). He was the one who drove the beat both musically and personally. Hal Blaine was a treasure and everyone should know his name.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more about the recording industry during the time of The Wrecking Crew. Blaine does offer the following: "...in my private musical world I experienced the greatest natural high a person could feel." Amen to that. This edition had numerous typos, punctuation, and other such errors that made it seem like less than a professional publication. "The Wrecking Crew" by Kent Hartman provides a much more comprehensive telling of their story.

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

My father painted the artwork on the cover of this book. He's been corresponding with Hal Blaine for years (he used to play the drums) and a few years back did a large oil painting of Hal as a gift for him. He's very proud to have it on the book cover!

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hal Blaine is the most recorded drummer in music history. Between 1959 and 1981 he played on something like 152 hits that were in the Top Ten charts as a west coast session drummer by the likes of Jan and Dean, Connie Francis, Elvis Presley, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Bobby Darin, Sam Cooke, Leslie Gore, The Beach Boys, Bobby Vee, Jay and The Americans, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, The Byrds, Sonny & Cher, Roy Orbison, Johnny Rivers, The Mamas & The Papas, The Association, The Monkees, Simon and Garfunkel, Petula Clark, The Grass Roots, The Fifth Dimension, Nancy Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Glen Campbell, Henry Mancini, The Carpenters, Barbara Streisand, The Captain and Tenille and many others. He played everything from big band jazz, show tunes, folk, pop, rock and roll, country to bluegrass. This memoir is his take on his life and the incredible times he lived in. - BH.

[Leo Keil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hal Blaine's story is fascinating. He deserves a much better, and more complete, biography than this.

[Hrn1947 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories very positive vibe. The most accomplished drummer of the greatest period rock and roll. The photos are a who’s who of music of the times.

[Felonious Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got Spongebob anchovied in Korea.
Commited anoral acts.

Phil Spector



Simon & Garfunkel

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hal Blaine is the MAN, the drummer, having played drums on approximately 42 Number One Hit Records and many other top ten hits, the man is a true legend. I loved this book. As a drummer myself I related to most of the book because in many cases I've had similar experiences, so for me this book was a real treat. I can hum along with almost every song mentioned. I delighted in hearing some of the background stories behind the hit making machine known as the Wrecking Crew. This book will be interesting to anyone who has paid any attention to popular music over the last 50 years, and will be even more rewarding if you are a drummer or have played or recorded during the same time period. The Documentary film about the Wrecking crew is finally finished and is due to be released any day now. The Film has won a number of awards as it has been shown around the country at film festivals and other events. Hal Blaine was a central figure through it all, and has worked closely with the filmmaker Denny Tedesco in bringing the story of these unsung heroes of the recording industry / music business to the recognition they deserve. Applause, applause.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I buy a book and finish it in a weekend it has to be concise and engrossing. An autobiography of a drummer, the drummer, of the music I grew up loving. The Carpenters John Denver and everyone else from the Beatles to Sinatra. The stories are engrossing. It is written to evoke an era when musicians were royalty and treated as such. A great read for the non musician as the family history is fascinating and the war stories, so concise,are riveting. I always tell my students that music will take you to places you will never see otherwise and this book is exhibit A. I found it for a buck at a library sale. Just fantastic!

[Kaci · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far so good. Ken recommended this book, he liked it a lot. Ken is drummer and so is Hal Blaine.

Matter of fact, Hal Blaine was one of the top studio drummers ever. The list of gold records that he recorded on is very impressive. The book is ok, a little bland. He comes across as a nice guy, just very involved with music.

[Jamie Harvill · Rating 2 out of 5]

With all due respect for legendary drummer Hal Blaine, the publisher tried to save money by actually pasting corrections, in the form of strips of paper, over the misspelled or nonfactual lines and passages throughout the book. The info is great but the serial killer, ransom note-like paste fest was annoying.

[Bob Breckwoldt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brisk and breathless run through of his life, thankfully focussing mostly on the music, but a few juicy asides (e.g. Phil Spector). The tracks he played on a reminder why he was such a fantastic drummer. But mostly for fans only.

[Nick McTaffy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hal Blaine is awesome, but this book sux.

[Kent Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not well written but it was nice to read a bit about this sessions player from the 60's and 70's.

[Mike Seigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the 1960's music scene.