#1667 – THE HAPPENING – The Supremes - 2/5/2020

Hal Blaine was born on this day in 1929 in Holyoke, MA. Blaine is responsible for providing the drum work on some of the most famous songs from the ‘60’s and ‘70‘s. As a primary drummer of the so-called “Wrecking Crew” – a group of sought after session musicians who were hired by the producers and record companies for their creativity, prowess and economy in studio recording – Blaine eventually was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his keeping time on the soundtrack of a generation.

Here are some other accolades: Blaine played drums on 6 consecutive Grammy Record of the Year Award Winners:    

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass in 1966 for "A Taste of Honey", Frank Sinatra in 1967 for "Strangers in the Night", The 5th Dimension in 1968 for "Up, Up and Away", Simon & Garfunkel in 1969 "Mrs. Robinson", The 5th Dimension in 1970 for "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In", Simon & Garfunkel in 1971 for "Bridge over Troubled Water"

He also was the credited drummer playing on each of the 40 following hits that reached #1 on the Billboard charts between 1962 & 1976:

1962: Johnny Angel, He’s a Rebel

1963: Surf City

1964: I Get Around, Everybody Loves Somebody, Ringo

1965: This Diamond Ring, Help Me Rhonda, Mr Tambourine Man, I Got You Babe, Eve of Destruction

1966: My Love, These Boots Are Made for Walking, Monday Monday, Strangers in the Night, Poor Side of Town, Good Vibrations

1967: Somethin’ Stupid, THE HAPPENING, Windy

1968: Mrs Robinson

1969: Dizzy, Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet, Wedding Bell Blues

1970: Bridge Over Troubled Water, (They Long to Be) Close to You, Cracklin' Rosie, I Think I Love You

1971: Indian Reservation

1972: Song Sung Blue

1973: Half Breed, Top of the World

1974: The Way We Were, Annie's Song

1975: Thank God I'm a Country Boy, Love Will Keep Us Together, I'm Sorry/Calypso 1976: Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)

If any of you have an interest in the creation of these and so many other tunes, check out the amazing documentary: The Wrecking Crew. Happy birthday, Hal Blaine!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4IFtxQfLWg

1967