The Wrecking Crew The Inside Story of Rock

If you listened to radio in the 1960s and '70s, you listened to the Wrecking Crew. On hit record after hit record by everyone from The Byrds to the Beach Boys, Phil Spector, Simon & Garfunkel, the Fifth Dimension, and Frank Sinatra, this motley group of west coast studio musicians established themselves as the driving force of the pop music industry-sometimes over the objection of actual band members who were forced to make way for Wrecking Crew musicians in the studio. Building off his eye-opening article for American Heritage, industry insider Kent Hartmann tells the definitive story of the group that dared play "long hair" music before it was socially acceptable. He follows the recording careers of such musicians as drummer Hal Blaine and trailblazing bassist Carol Kaye, as well as those who went on to fame in their own write, including Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, and Jim Gordon (who co-wrote "Layla" with Eric Clapton). The Wrecking Crew tells the collective, behind-the-scenes stories of the artists who dominated the sounds of Top 40 radio during the most creative era in American music culture.

KENT HARTMAN is a longtime music industry entrepreneur who has worked with dozens of well-known artists, including Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf, Hall & Oates, Counting Crows, and Lyle Lovett. He has written for American Heritage, The Oregonian, and Portland Tribune. Hartman teaches marketing at Portland State University and for several years produced The Classic Comedy Break, a nationwide radio feature. He lives in Portland.

"A sweet and wistful meditation on the early days of the music business, full of little gems and wonders fit for serious music fans and a commendable, long-overdue tribute to the legendary Wrecking Crew - the ridiculously talented, go-to guys behind so many hits. This book will make your head spin."—Shirley Manson, lead singer, Garbage

"I've been in the music business for over forty years and I didn't know any of this! The Wrecking Crew is a total page-turner. I couldn't put it down. Kent Hartman is one gifted storyteller."—John Kosh, three-time Grammy-winning art director and legendary album cover designer of Abbey Road, Who's Next, and Hotel California

"Is Larry Knechtel one of your favorite 1960s musicians? How about Hal Blaine? Carol Kaye? Oh yes they are. These three were part of The Wrecking Crew, a group of brilliant performers who supplied the music for many of the biggest hits during the blazing high noon of American rock. But nobody knew. Until now, that is, because Kent Hartman has at last written, with a verve and enthusiasm underpinned by scrupulous research, rock's great missing chapter."—Richard Snow, former editor-in-chief of American Heritage, author of A Measureless Peril

"Turns out the heart of rock and roll isn't Cleveland after all. It's the Wrecking Crew. Kent Hartman's behind the scenes look at the early days of rock turns much of what we thought we knew about popular music upside down. So many secrets revealed. You won't think about artists such as The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, or Simon and Garfunkel quite the same. Mr. Hartman's book should go platinum."—Larry Colton, author of No Ordinary Joes, Counting Coup and Goat Brothers, and founder of the Wordstock literary festival

"A fascinating look into the West Coast recording studio scene of the 60s and the inside story of the music you heard on the radio. If you always assumed the musicians you listened to were the same people you saw on stage, you are in for a big surprise!"—Dusty Street, legendary radio air talent (KMPX, KSAN, KROQ) and current host of "Classic Vinyl," broadcast live around the world from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Sirius/XM

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

The Wrecking Crew The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best-Kept Secret

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials