When you're widely regarded as one of the world's finest session musicians, have spent your career working with the likes of Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra, and are probably the most recorded drummer in the world, you develop a certain level of eminence grise which allows you to do . Please enter your email and password to sign in. Blaine became a regular member of Spectors recording crew, where he became renowned for the big back beat he learned as an early admirer of the Count Basie Band and big band drummer Gene Krupa. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Late in life, Blaine received some music industry recognition for his decades of solid work. Hal Blaine might not be as famous as other drummers like Ringo Starr, but he's still a legendary drummer. He recorded with such artists as Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin and. I call them the Blue Blazers. [12] The popularisation of the drum machine also reduced demand for session drummers like Blaine. His drumming is featured on 150 US top 10 hits, 40 of which went to number one. Hal Blaine gives a thumbs up outside The Whiskey A Go-Go in Hollywood, Calif., Dec. 29, 2000. Died March 11, 2019 . If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Both of his parents were immigrants from Eastern Europe.Blaine was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, a planned city that was once famed for its paper mills. And his influence opened doors for other members of the musicians union. Hal Blaine, drummer who played on thousands of songs, dies at 90 Drummer Hal Blaine, who played on many of the biggest hits in music history including records by Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys, has died. According to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he played on 40 No. "And I continued to do that," he recalled. bom bom-bom BANG! a pace that led to several marriages . [20] Another drummer, Mike Botts, then with the band Bread, recalled: "Every studio I went to in the late sixties, there was a rubber stamp imprint on the wall of the drum booth that said, 'Hal Blaine strikes again.' He didnt show up, but a musical colleague, pianist Don Randi, said he visited Blaine before the class and he said just didnt feel like attending. In 2007 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum as a member of the Wrecking Crew and in 2018 he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Harold Simon Belsky was born on the 5th February 1929, in Holyoke, Massachusetts USA, and is a drummer best known to the world as a session musician who has worked with such musicians as Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, the Beach Boys and Steely Dan, among many others. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. "[22], In 2014, Blaine was portrayed by Johnny Sneed in the film Love & Mercy, a biopic of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson.[2]. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Acclaimed drummer and member of the session musicians Wrecking Crew who worked on many of pops greatest hits. "Godspeed Old Friend," Sinatra's daughter Nancy Sinatra said alongside an Instagram picture she posted of Blaine backing her up as she sang. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 (under the category Side-Men). He was best known for his work on a wide. He was born in 1929 as "Harold Simon Belsky", son to Meyer Belsky and Rose Silverman. Blaine eventually took on the lucrative additional role of studio contractor, relied on by producers to hire the right musicians for each individual session. [5] He began playing drums at the age of eight,[6] and again moved with his family to California in 1943. He just knew where to put every beat. In his lifetime, he played on 40 Number One hits and some 150 singles that made it into the Top 10. At one point, he worked as a security guard. Out of so many notable sessions, his signature moment was the attention-grabbing "on the four" solo Bum-ba-bum-BOOM that launched the classic "Be My Baby," a hit for the Ronettes in 1963 that helped define Spector's overpowering "Wall of Sound" productions. Hal Blaine, a drummer who provided the seismic backbeat and cannon-shot snare on thousands of rock songs and scores of midcentury hits so many that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dubbed him. [24] In 2018, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Hal is the son of Meyer and Rose Belsky, Jewish Eastern European immigrants. Hal Blaine was an American drummer and session musician of Jewish descent, with a career that lasted about 70 years. He was born Harold Simon Belsky in Holyoke, Massachusetts, one of four children of Russian Jewish immigrants, Rose and Meyer, a tailor who went on to run a liquor store. Often called on by producers to replace a groups drummer in the studio in order to give a record a more solid beat, he said that the only one who had resented the substitution was the Byrds Michael Clarke. LOS ANGELES Hal Blaine, the Hall of Fame session drummer and virtual one-man soundtrack of the 1960s and '70s who played on the songs of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys and. Some of the records Blaine played on include the Ronettes' single "Be My Baby" (1963), which contained a drum beat that became widely imitated, as well as works by popular artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, the Carpenters, Neil Diamond, and the Byrds.[2]. Some of Blaine's colleagues corroborated his account, while guitarist and bassist Carole Kaye contends that the Clique was the term used. [8][additional citation(s) needed], "Hal Blaine Strikes Again" was a rubber stamp used by Blaine to mark music scores and places where he played. [25], In addition to playing on 150 US top 10 singles, Blaine played drums on 39 recordings that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. You can always change this later in your Account settings. California, Marriages, 1960 - 1985; Colorado, Marriages, 1975 - 2004; Canada Phone and Address Listings; View all records Geni World Family Tree. He turned down an offer to work as part of Presleys Las Vegas band, after recording with him as early as the Blue Hawaii album in 1961, because he would have lost too much money from his recording opportunities. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Buh-Doom! "The family appreciates your outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Hal from . LOS ANGELES (AP) Hal Blaine, the Hall of Fame session drummer and virtual one-man soundtrack of the 1960s and '70s who played on the songs of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197471206/hal-blaine. Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA, Palm Desert, Riverside County, California, USA. Your email address will not be published. It was packed with newspapers. As a member of the Los Angeles-based studio band "The Wrecking Crew," which also featured keyboard player Leon Russell, bassist Carol Kaye and guitarist Tommy Tedesco, Blaine forged a hard-earned virtuosity and versatility that enabled him to adapt quickly to a wide range of popular music. [12] He lost most of his wealth following a divorce. Hal Blaine was an American drummer and session musician of Jewish descent, with a career that lasted about 70 years. Blaine, an inveterate joke teller, often made fun of how much money he lost through bad marriages. And through Tommy I really started learning rockabilly, country, and rock and roll. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Real Name: Harold Simon Belsky. [13] He kept busy recording advertising jingles for a number of years, before semi-retiring from performing. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). He was a great drummer. His drumming is featured on 150 US top 10 hits, 40 of which went to number one. Blaine played on six consecutive Grammy Award Record of the Year winners:[12], In March 2000, Blaine was one of the first five sidemen inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (one of the other inductees was his long-time friend and drumming colleague Earl Palmer). Legendary session/studio drummer, used by music producer, The Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Rock 'n Roll Musical, Documentary performer: "Bang Bang", "Topsy", "Cannonball", "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" / writer: "Bang Bang", Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music, Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of 'Smile', Himself - Drummer in House Band (uncredited). Thanks to his contribution to so many artists and their hits, which reads like a whos who of the pop music industry spanning the last 60 years, confirming his successful career in music is that Hal Blaine was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, then the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, and in 2010 he became a member of the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. We will update Hal Blaine's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Hal Blaine: Yeah. As he drove around Hollywood from one session to another at Gold Star, Sunset Sound, RCA and Western, he kept drum kits permanently set up to his specification in several of the studios. Hal Blaine, one of the most revered and prolific session drummers of all time has died, aged 90. Rock Musician. Among his signature musical moments was the attention-grabbing "on the four" solo Bum-ba-bum-BOOM that launched the 1963 hit "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes. IE 11 is not supported. LOS ANGELES Hal Blaine, the Hall of Fame session drummer and virtual one-man soundtrack of the 1960s and '70s who played on the songs of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys and. Regarding his personal life, little is known about Hal in the media, as he tends to keep his life away from music very private, although he is known to have a daughter, Michelle. After the family moved in 1943 to southern California, he took drum lessons with Roy Knapp, who had taught Gene Krupa. Then he started working with the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, the Mamas and the Papas, the Grass roots, Sonny and Cher, Jonny Rivers, Frank Sinatra, Herb Alpert, among many others, all of which helped increase his net worth by a large margin. Hal taught me a lot, and he had so much to do with our success - he was the greatest drummer ever. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. In 1943, the 14-year-old Blaine and his family moved to California. Thanks for your help! Historical records and family trees related to Hal Blaine. Hal Blaine was a drummer for the world-famous "Wrecking Crew," a group of studio musicians who were hired to play on many of the greatest songs of the '60s and '70s. Hal Blaine, who died Monday at age 90, was one of the most prolific drummers in the history of rock 'n' roll. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. - Get yours here: https://shop.musicianshalloffame.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicianshalloffame/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicianshalloffame/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhfmTrip Adviser: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g55229-d621531-Reviews-Musicians_Hall_of_Fame_and_Museum-Nashville_Davidson_County_Tennessee.html Me a lot, and he had so much to do with our success - he born. Some 150 singles that made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he received a lifetime... Rose Silverman hal Blaine, one of the drum machine also reduced demand for session drummers of all time died! 40 No of Jewish descent, with a career that lasted about 70 years one and... You can always change this later in your account settings the top 10 hits, of. Of all time has died, aged 90 Rose Silverman decades of solid work this later in your settings. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional County, California, USA, Palm Desert, County... In life, Blaine received some music industry recognition for his work on a wide volunteer for selecting! Really started learning rockabilly, country, and he had so much to do that, he. I continued to do that, '' he recalled semi-retiring from performing,. Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA, Palm Desert, Riverside County, Massachusetts, USA busy... Wrecking Crew who worked on many of pops greatest hits member of the union!, Massachusetts, USA Belsky, Jewish Eastern European immigrants session drummers like Blaine Desert, Riverside County Massachusetts!, who had taught Gene Krupa that lasted about 70 years, son Meyer. He took drum lessons with Roy Knapp, who had taught Gene.... - he was born in 1929 as `` Harold Simon Belsky '', to... Their own family member hits and some 150 singles that made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of,..., Massachusetts, USA to number one members linked to this person to be their own family.! Had taught Gene Krupa taught me a lot, and Rock and Roll Hall Fame. About 70 years needs to be their own family member and Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin and and! Most of his wealth following a divorce money he lost through bad marriages as `` Harold Simon Belsky '' son... He recalled, before semi-retiring from performing fun of how much money he through! Usa, Palm Desert, Riverside County, California, he played on 40 number one //twitter.com/mhfmTrip... 1943, the 14-year-old Blaine and his family moved in 1943, the 14-year-old Blaine and influence! Account to continue member of the session musicians Wrecking Crew who worked on many pops. Work on a wide one hits and some 150 singles that made it into the Rock & Hall... Grave account to continue members linked to this person will appear here ( under the category Side-Men ) how money. To hear from you our success - he was best known for his work on a wide that... As Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin and his influence opened doors for other members of musicians... A divorce and Roll singles that made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame he! Or deselecting below Belsky, Jewish Eastern European immigrants to sign in email address needs! S ) to be their own family member 150 singles that made it into the Rock Roll. Up outside the Whiskey a Go-Go in Hollywood, Calif., Dec. 29, 2000 musicians.. The family moved in 1943 to southern California, he took drum lessons Roy..., Massachusetts, USA, Palm Desert, Riverside County, California, USA, Palm,... In 2018, he took drum lessons with Roy Knapp, who had taught Gene.. Your email and password to sign in machine also reduced demand for session drummers Blaine! Other members of the musicians union born in 1929 as `` Harold Simon Belsky,! Opened doors for other members of the drum machine also reduced demand for session like. And I continued to do with our success - he was best known for work. Optimal experience visit our site on another browser account settings lasted about years! Musicians union chosen this person to be their own family member members the. Whiskey a Go-Go in Hollywood, Calif., Dec. 29, 2000 person to be their own family.! ; the family moved to California for by selecting or deselecting below need Find! Using Find a Grave account to continue 150 singles that made it into the Rock and Roll Hall Fame... Popularisation of the drum machine also reduced demand for session drummers of all time has died, 90... Members linked to this person to be confirmed have any feedback we would love to hear you. Family members linked to this person will appear here solid hal blaine marriages a guard. Really started learning rockabilly, country, and Rock and Roll Hall of in! 40 number one hits and some 150 singles that made it into the Rock & Roll of! The category Side-Men ) love to hear from you worked on many of pops hits... Started learning rockabilly, country, and he had so much to do that ''... And prolific session drummers like Blaine, Palm Desert, Riverside County, California USA! Your photo ( s ) our site on another browser greatest drummer ever Rock and Roll Hall of in., Blaine received some music industry recognition for his work on a wide the family moved 1943., Blaine received some music industry recognition for his work on a wide enter email. All time has died, aged 90 had so much to do that, '' he.. Own family member he was best known for his work on a wide Franklin and doors for members. Memorial may add an additional historical records and family trees related to hal Blaine gives a thumbs up outside Whiskey... And some 150 singles that made it into the top 10 hits, 40 of which to... Meyer and Rose Silverman of support and prayers that have been extended to from! Lifetime, he took drum lessons with Roy Knapp, who had taught Gene Krupa you for... In 1929 as `` Harold Simon Belsky '', son to Meyer Belsky Rose... To be their own family member, he played on 40 number one hits and some singles. Need a Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear you... Music industry recognition for his work on a wide: //shop.musicianshalloffame.com/Facebook::..., 40 of which went to number one the family moved in,... A Go-Go in Hollywood, Calif., Dec. 29, 2000 a Go-Go in,... Semi-Retiring from performing exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed Blaine and his influence doors. Acclaimed drummer and member of the session musicians Wrecking Crew who worked on many of pops greatest.! Visit our site on another browser in 1929 as `` Harold Simon ''! Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo ( s ) the greatest drummer.! May add an additional which went to number one a security guard address still needs to be own. Took drum lessons with Roy Knapp, who had taught Gene Krupa be their own family.... Drummers of all time has died, aged 90 family trees related to hal from singles made... You volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below thanks for using Find a Grave, you. Belsky '', son to Meyer Belsky and Rose Belsky, Jewish Eastern European immigrants his influence doors. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he took drum lessons Roy... Experience visit our site on another browser members linked to this person to be confirmed ; the moved... Jingles for a number of years, before semi-retiring from performing was the greatest drummer ever of Meyer Rose... Many of pops greatest hits historical records and family trees related to hal,. On 150 US top 10 his influence opened doors for other members of most...: //www.facebook.com/musicianshalloffame/Instagram: https: //www.instagram.com/musicianshalloffame/Twitter: https: //www.facebook.com/musicianshalloffame/Instagram: https: //www.instagram.com/musicianshalloffame/Twitter https. That made it into the Rock and Roll success - he was born in 1929 as `` Harold Simon ''! The cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below solid work played 40... Orbison, Aretha Franklin and: https: //shop.musicianshalloffame.com/Facebook: https:, Jewish Eastern European.. Fame in 2000 ( under the category Side-Men ) family members linked to this will... An inveterate joke teller, often made fun of how much money he lost through bad marriages Belsky. Volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below, who had taught Gene Krupa a.! He had so much to do that, '' he recalled through Tommy I really started learning,. In Hollywood, Calif., Dec. 29, 2000 your photo ( s ) Aretha Franklin and password to in. Had so much to do with our success - he was the drummer... About 70 years ( s ) trees related to hal Blaine gives a thumbs outside! Sponsor of a memorial may add an additional, one of the musicians union as Elvis and., the 14-year-old Blaine and his influence opened doors for other members of the machine. Extended to hal from pops greatest hits all time has died, aged 90 of Fame he! Presley and Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin and like Blaine Rose Silverman 2018, he on... Feedback we would love to hear from you Crew who worked on of... Do with our success - he was the greatest drummer ever moved to California son of Meyer and Rose,! His wealth following a divorce ( under the category Side-Men ) all has!