The Wrecking Crew was a nickname coined by drummer Hal Blaine for a group of studio and session musicians that played anonymously on many records in Los Angeles, California during the 1960s. The crew backed dozens of popular singers, and were one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history.
Members of 'The Wrecking Crew' included:
Guitar: Glen Campbell, Barney Kessel, Tommy Tedesco, Al Casey, Carol Kaye, Billy Strange, Rene Hall, Don Peake, Howard Roberts, James Burton, Jerry Cole, Bill Aken, Mike Deasy,
Doug Bartenfeld, Ray Pohlman, Bill Pitman, Irv Rubins, Louie Shelton, John Goldthwaite, and Al Vescovo.
Saxophone: Steve Douglas, Jay Migliori, Jim Horn, Plas Johnson, Nino Tempo, and Gene Cipriano.
Trumpet: Roy Caton, Tony Terran, Ollie Mitchell, Bud Brisbois, and Chuck Findley.
Trombone: Lou Blackburn, Richard "Slyde" Hyde, and Lew McCreary.
Keyboards: Leon Russell, Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John), Mike Melvoin, Don Randi, Larry Knechtel, Al De Lory, and Mike (Michel) Rubini.
Bass: Carol Kaye, Joe Osborn, Max Bennett, Chuck Berghofer, Ray Pohlman, Larry Knechtel, Lyle Ritz, Red Callender, Jimmy Bond, and Bill Pitman.
Drums: Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, Jim Gordon, and Jim Keltner.
Percussion: Julius Wechter, Gary L. Coleman, and Frank Capp.
Conductor/arranger: Jack Nitzsche
Harmonica: Tommy Morgan
The Ron Hicklin Singers often performed backup vocals on many of the same songs on which The Wrecking Crew had played instrumental tracks.
Though not an official member, Sonny Bono did hang out and contribute to sessions recorded by the Crew.