Hal Blaine

1
  • Year:
    2000
  • Inducted by:
    Mike Stoller
  • Category:
    Musical Excellence
hal_blaine

Introduction

The most recorded drummer in history.

Hal Blaine is the accompanist to Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” and one of the most sought-after session drummers in L.A. He has played on forty Number One singles—enough to make his own Top 40.

Hall of Fame Essay

2000

Max Weinburg

If Hal Blaine had played drums only on the  Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” his name would still be forever uttered with reverence and respect for the power of his big beat.

But “Be My Baby,” however stirring, is but one of literally hundreds of hits on which Hal Blaine appears. During the Sixties, Hal was, undoubtedly, the busiest, most recorded and most successful studio drummer on the West Coast.

His sound and style captured the imagination of the recording industry, particularly the producers, songwriters and musicians. Drummers all over Los Angeles aspired to the standards Hal established, and these drummers emulated his approach.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program 2000
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Hal Blaine_quote
he was the steamroller behind the wall of sound
Mike Stoller