(via The College of Rock and Roll Knowledge)
Remember that one song from years ago that you just loved…. well he probably played the drums on it.
Kind of a very vague statement isn’t it. But maybe not as vague as you might think……
Today, legendary studio session drummer Hal Blaine is celebrating his 87th birthday.
…
Never heard of him? Ok, that’s possible. Never heard him? Not likely. Here is a list of the #1 songs Hal played drums on:
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley (12/18/61)
“He’s a Rebel” – The Crystals (10/06/62)
“Surf City” – Jan & Dean (06/22/63)
“Everybody Loves Somebody” – Dean Martin (07/11/64)
“Ringo” – Lorne Greene (11/07/64)
“This Diamond Ring” – Gary Lewis & the Playboys (01/23/65)
“Help Me, Rhonda” – The Beach Boys (05/01/65)
“Mr Tambourine Man” – The Byrds (06/05/65)
“I Got You Babe” – Sonny & Cher (07/31/65)[8][9]
“Eve of Destruction” – Barry McGuire (08/28/65)
“My Love” – Petula Clark (01/15/66)
“These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” – Nancy Sinatra (02/05/66)
“Monday Monday” – The Mamas & the Papas (04/16/66)
“Strangers in the Night” – Frank Sinatra (07/02/66)
“Poor Side of Town” – Johnny Rivers (10/08/66)
“Good Vibrations” – The Beach Boys (10/29/66)
“Somethin’ Stupid” – Frank & Nancy Sinatra (03/25/67)
“The Happening” – The Supremes (04/15/67)[10][11]
“Windy” – The Association (06/03/67)
“Mrs. Robinson” – Simon & Garfunkel (05/04/68)
“Dizzy” – Tommy Roe (03/15/69)
“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” – The 5th Dimension (04/12/69)
“Theme – Romeo & Juliet” – Henry Mancini (05/24/69)
“Wedding Bell Blues” – The 5th Dimension (10/04/69)
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel (02/14/70)
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” – The Carpenters (06/27/70)
“Cracklin’ Rosie” – Neil Diamond (08/29/70)
“I Think I Love You” – The Partridge Family (10/31/70)
“Indian Reservation” – Paul Revere & the Raiders (05/29/71)
“Song Sung Blue” – Neil Diamond (05/13/72)
“Half Breed” – Cher (09/01/73)
“Annie’s Song” – John Denver (06/15/74)
“Top of the World” – The Carpenters (10/20/74)
“The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand (12/22/74)
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy” – John Denver (04/05/75)
“Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille (05/24/75)
“I’m Sorry”/”Calypso” – John Denver (08/30/75)
“Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” – Diana Ross(01/24/76)
Now remember, these were just the #1 songs he played on.
Hal has recorded with, well just about everybody. (We would post a list here, but, he has over 35,000 sessions to his credit. You get the picture. He was / is the perfect studio drummer, perfect time and perfect creativity.
Happy Birthday Mr. Blaine!! Thank You for so much!!
