HAL BLAINE, born February5, 1929, the ubiquitous drummer whose work in the 1960s and ’70s established him as one of the top session musicians of all time. John beats out a belated tribute in words and songs on Crosscurrents, Monday Feb. 26 at 8:00 AM . Listen live on102.7fm, or 103.1fm. or https://www.ktoo.org/listen/krnn/
Hal Blaine – Radio Show Playlist (below)
Hal Blaine was born Harold Simon Belsky on Feb. 5, 1929, in Holyoke, Mass., to Meyer Belsky, who worked in a leather factory, and Rose (Silverman) Belsky. When he was 7 the family moved to Hartford, where he was inspired to learn drumming by watching the fife and drum corps of the Catholic school across the street from his Hebrew school .
Mr. Blaine, who played on at least 40 singles that reached No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart, was a reliable and adaptable musician, able to offer delicate brushwork on a ballad or a booming beat on records. He brought drama to a song’s transitions, often telegraphing a big moment with a flurry of strokes on a snare drum or tom-tom.
Mr. Blaine was part of a loosely affiliated group of session musicians who in the early 1960s began dominating rock ’n’ roll recording in Los Angeles. Along with guitarists like Glen Campbell and Tommy Tedesco, bassists like Carol Kaye and Joe Osborn, and keyboardists like Leon Russell and Don Randi, Mr. Blaine played on thousands of recordings through the mid-1970s.
~~Hal Blaine – Radio Show Playlist~~
No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In) | The T-Bones
The Happening – Album Version (Stereo) | The Supremes
California Girls – Remix/Remastered 2001The Beach Boys
Dizzy | Tommy Roe | Baby I Love You |
All I Have to Do Is Dream | The Everly Brothers
Be My Baby | The Ronettes
He’s a Rebel | The Crystals
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah | Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jean
These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ | Nancy Sinatra
I Got You Babe | Sonny & Cher
Good Vibrations – Remastered 2001 | The Beach Boys
Surf City | Jan & Dean
Any World (That I’m Welcome To) | Steely Dan
It’s Over | Roy Orbison
A Taste Of Honey | Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
I Am…I Said – Single Version | Neil Diamond
Stoney End | Barbra Streisand
Hawaii 1963 | Hal Blaine & The Young Cougars
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair) | Scott McKenzie
It Never Rains in Southern California | Albert Hammond
Mr. Tambourine Man | The Byrds
Hungry | Paul Revere & The Raiders
Midnight Confession | The Grass Roots
Mary, Mary | The Monkees |
You’re the One | The Vogues
The Poor Side Of Town | Johnny Rivers
(They Long To Be) Close To You | Carpenters
Evangeline | Emmylou Harris
Tupelo Honey | Dusty Springfield
Come Saturday Morning | The Sandpipers
Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition) | The First Edition
When You Walk In The Room – Single Version | Jackie DeShannon
Wedding Bell Blues | Laura Nyro
Wichita Lineman – Remastered 2001 | Glen Campbell
A Hazy Shade of Winter | Simon & Garfunkel
Rhythm of the Rain | The Cascades
Love Will Keep Us Together | Captain & Tennille
Mother and Child Reunion | Paul Simon
Out of Limits | The Marketts
Ventura Highway | America
If I Were A Carpenter – Live From The Desert Inn | Bobby Darin | Darin
Moog Power | Hugo Montenegro
Words Of Love – Single Version / Stereo | The Mamas & The Papas
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Remastered 1999 | The Beach Boys
Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home) | The Crystals
(The Best Part Of) Breakin’ Up | The Ronettes
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