THE WRECKING CREW

1.YouknowtheWreckingCrew,evenifyoudontthinkyoudo.Theloosely

affiliatedassemblyofmusicians,whichincludedthesessiondrummerextraordinaire
HalBlaine(whocoinedthename),thebassistandguitaristCarolKaye(oneofthe
fewfemalesessionplayersofherera),theguitaristTommyTedesco,anddozensof
othermusicians(atvarioustimes,EarlPalmer,BarneyKessel,PlasJohnson,Al
Casey,GlenCampbell,JamesBurton,LeonRussell,LarryKnechtel,andJack
Nitzsche),dominatedAmericanpopularmusicinthenineteensixties,firstasthe
groupofchoiceforPhilSpectorandhisWallofSound,andthenasthephysical
embodimentofthelavishsonicdreamsofBrianWilson.

Membri:
Electric bass: Max Bennett, Red Callender, Carol Kaye, Larry Knechtel, Joe
Osborn, Bill Pitman, Ray Pohlman, Bob West
Upright/Double bass: Chuck Berghofer, Jimmy Bond, Lyle Ritz
Conductor/arranger: Jack Nitzsche
Drums: John Clauder, Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Earl Palmer, Joe
Porcaro
Guitar: Bill Aken, Doug Bartenfeld, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey,
Jerry Cole, Mike Deasy, John Goldthwaite, Rene Hall, Carol Kaye, Barney
Kessel, Don Peake, Bill Pitman, Ray Pohlman, Howard Roberts, Irv Rubins,
Louie Shelton, Billy Strange, Tommy Tedesco, Al Vescovo, P.F. Sloan
Harmonica: Tommy Morgan
Keyboards: Al De Lory, Larry Knechtel, Mike Melvoin, Don Randi, Mac
Rebennack (aka Dr. John), Mike (Michel) Rubini, Leon Russell
Percussion: Frank Capp, Gary L. Coleman, Julius Wechter, Joe Porcaro
Saxophone: Gene Cipriano, Steve Douglas, Jim Horn, Plas Johnson, Jay
Migliori, Nino Tempo
Trombone: Dick Nash, Richard "Slyde" Hyde, Lew McCreary
Trumpet: Bud Brisbois, Roy Caton, Chuck Findley, Ollie Mitchell, Tony Terran
Vocals: Ron Hicklin Singers often performed backup vocals on many of the
same songs on which the Wrecking Crew had played instrumental tracks.
Though not an official member, Sonny Bono did hang out and contribute to
sessions recorded by the Crew.

TOMMY TEDESCO
Tommy Tedescos list of credits remains remarkable. As a go-to
player for artists of the day, he played on hits by Elvis Presley (68
Comeback Special), The Beach Boys (Fun Fun Fun and others),
The Monkees (debut album), The Mamas & the Papas, The Everly
Brothers, Barbra Streisand, Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank
Zappa, Ricky Nelson, Cher, Nancy and Frank Sinatra as well as
Richard Harriss MacArthur Park, The Ronettes Be My Baby and
scores more. He was the guitarist on TV themes for Bonanza, The
Twilight Zone, Green Acres, M*A*S*H, Starsky & Hutch, Kojak,
Batman and many more. Tedescos movie credits include The
Godfather, Jaws, Mission: Impossible, The French Connection and
The Deer Hunter and numerous others.
Steve Lukather, who claims to be have played on over 700 albums,
is probably Tedescos heir, but in Confessions of a Guitar Player
Luke remained in awe of TT. Once youve worked with Tommy
and have gone through that experience and if he gives you the
thumbs up, your happening, he said. Hes a really serious
musician, he helps out everybody, and its just great to know
someone like that whos been doing it for so long and has a great
attitude about it he has so many friends and is so well-respected.
TommyTedesco,themostrecordedguitaristinhistory,wasalsooneofthemost
belovedcharacterstoeverworktheLosAngelesmusicscene.Andworkithedid:
AfterarrivingfromNiagaraFallsin1953,Tommyspentfourdecadesplaying
sessionsforcountlessfilms,TVshows,recordalbums,commercialjinglesyou
nameit.Aferociouslygoodsightreader,thiswonderful,bigheartedItalianmaestro
ofthestringsbecamethetownsfirstcallguitarist,meaninghewasthefirstperson
tocallforsessions.Beyondbeingabrilliantplayer,Tommywasrenownedforhis
mischievoussenseofhumorandwillingnesstohelptalentednewcomersnavigatethe
studiosystem.EveryonewhowaspartofthatscenehaschoiceTedescostoriesto
share.Itoohavemanyfondmemorieshim,andonestandsabovetherest.First,some
background. TommyTedescoConfessionsofaGuitarPlayer,ForGuitarPlayers
Only,andTommyTedesco:AnatomyofaGuitarPlayer