hal-blaine
via Facebook

Hal Blaine (The Wrecking Crew), RIP

Hal Blaine, legendary drummer for The Wrecking Crew session musicians, has passed at age 90. From his Facebook:

Hal Blaine – loving father of Michelle Blaine; grandfather of Anthony, Josh, Aaron, Whitney, Tempest, Ever and Lyryk; and inspiration to countless friends, fans and musicians – has passed on today, March 11th, 2019 at the age of 90. May he rest forever on 2 and 4. 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.

Hal played on over 150 Top 10 hits and with 40 #1s including The Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel,” Jan & Dean’s “Surf City,” The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and “I Get Around,” The Byrds’ “Mr Tambourine Man,” Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” The Association’s “Windy,” The 5th Dimension’s “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” Neil Diamond’s “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Song Sung Blue,” The Carpenters’ “Close to You” and “Top of the World,” and many, many, many more. He also put out some records on his own, like 1967’s Psychedelic Percussion. His most famous contribution to the world may have been the drum beat to The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby.” “I was supposed to play the snare on the second beat as well as the fourth, but I dropped a stick,” Hal told The Guardian. “Being the faker I was in those days, I left the mistake in and it became: ‘Bum-ba-bum-BOOM!’ And soon everyone wanted that beat.”

Hal, you were one of kind. Rest in peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-0upHlWfQ4