We were listening to some old CD's this week, gearing up for the Grammy Awards tomorrow night, always one of the best musical performance shows of the year. As we read the liner notes on the CD's, we were reminded of the name Hal Blaine; it's almost mind-boggling to think about how many popular recordings on which he played..
Hal is best known for playing with the Wrecking Crew, one of the most successful group of studio musicians in music history. In 2000, 
Blaine was one of the first sidemen inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of the music industry, Hal Blaine is not a household name, but you certainly know his work.
Blaine was one of the first sidemen inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of the music industry, Hal Blaine is not a household name, but you certainly know his work..
(hal blaine, sitting, with tommy sands)
.His most famous drum work was as a part of Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" on the Ronette's hit, "Be My Baby". That song, alone, would have assured fame for Blaine, but he also played, from 1961 to 1976, on a staggering 39 #1 hits, including "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley, "I Get Around" by The Beach Boys, "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher, "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra, "Monday Monday" by The Mamas & the Papas, "The
Happening" by The Supremes, "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension, "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters, "I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family, "Song Sung Blue" by Neil Diamond, "Half Breed" by Cher, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver, "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand, "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille, and "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" by Diana Ross.
Happening" by The Supremes, "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension, "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters, "I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family, "Song Sung Blue" by Neil Diamond, "Half Breed" by Cher, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver, "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand, "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille, and "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" by Diana Ross..
(hal blaine with michelle phillips)
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Blaine also holds the Grammy Awards record for having played on the most consecutive "Record of the Year" winners: "A Taste of Honey", 1966, by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, "Strangers in the Night", 1967, by Frank Sinatra, "Up, Up and Away", 1968, by The Fifth Dimension, "Mrs. Robinson", 1969, by Simon & Garfunkel, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In", 1970, by The Fifth Dimension, and "Bridge Over Troubled Water", 1971, by Simon & Garfunkel.
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Blaine will celebrate his 81st birthday on Feb. 5. Congratulations, Mr. Blaine, on an amazing career!
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