Hal Blaine

American studio drummer and percussionist.
Born 5 February 1929, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA.
Died 11 March 2019, Palm Desert, California, USA.
Married briefly to singer Vicki Young (2) (1955, divorce).

Blaine began his career drumming for various bands that toured back and forth across the U.S. in the 1950s, playing theaters, supper clubs and casinos. He finally hooked up with the RCA Victor Studios.

From the late 1950s to the mid 1970s, Blaine performed "on call," in many cases anonymously, on over 35,000 tracks of major artists. His work has helped provide more than 350 Top Ten records and over 40 Number One hits. Blaine is also responsible for coining the name "Wrecking Crew" for this team of accomplished musicians who would help to furnish the hits from California.

Occasionally, of the Wrecking Crew would come together and release works in their own right. In this respect, Blaine featured in the group The Zodiac.

Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 (Sidemen).