Glen Campbell, Don Randi and Hal Blaine Honored at RockWalk

by Lynne Margolis.

Most of the living members of that famed Los Angeles session group known as the Wrecking Crew were on hand in L.A. recently when three prominent players imprinted their hands for posterity on the Guitar Center’s Hollywood RockWalk. Guitarist Glen Campbell, keyboardist Don Randi and drummer Hal Blaine (along with absent bassist Carol Kaye) were among the two dozen studio musicians that laid out tracks on some of the best music ever made.

The Wrecking Crew played on hits for Frank and Nancy Sinatra, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, Sonny & Cher and an incredible list of others, and were the creators of Phil Spector's famous "Wall of Sound." Some of the superb guitarists that served with the group were Barney Kessel, Tommy Tedesco, Billy Strange, Don Peake and Al Casey.

The famous keyboard riff on the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”? That was Don Randi. The drums on “These Boots are Made for Walkin’”? Hal Blaine. And on it goes. The musicians recently became the subject of The Wrecking Crew, a documentary by Denny Tedesco about this unsung – and uncredited – gang and his father’s life with them.

RockWalk inductees Don, Glen and Hal were surrounded by fellow members of the Wrecking Crew, friends, family and other admirers including players such as Leland Sklar and singer Michelle Phillips.

More information about the Wrecking Crew appears in the liner notes to the new box set, The Deluxe Elvis Complete '68 Comeback Special, set for release on August 5.

Related Links
Glen Campbell
Hal Blaine
Don Randi
Modern Guitars interview - Wrecking Crew

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