Great overview, Charles, of the un- and under-sung of rock's important fem bassists. No mention of these gals, though, is complete without a tip of the Fender to Ms. Carol Kaye, 87, who locked down the bottom for The Wrecking Crew for so many years and recordings, as I know you know! Sara, Tina, Gail Ann, and Jill are all knowingly indebted to Carol, I'm sure!
I knew little about Sara, Gail Ann, and Jill, so I appreciate your light shining on them!
Good....I look forward! I was all over Tina from Day 1....it helped that I hung out, backstage, at the Texas Opry House (Houston) T. Heads gig around '77/'78, on their tour for either their debut or 2nd album. Chris and she had either JUST married, or were JUST about to be married! Back in the band's early days, they were so cute as a couple!🤵👧
Hey Brad, great call. I'm embarrassed to say, I did not know she was part of the Wrecking Crew--I knew of them in connection with Phil Spector and a number of his acts but had never dug into the individual names. I had heard her name in connection with the Beach Boys but didn't realize how wide ranging and prolific she was. Prompted by your comment, I just did a look back and learned that she and most of the WC had true formal training and many started their careers in Jazz, which would make a lot of sense. It would explain why they were in demand--the skill needed to be a credible jazz musician is quite high compared with the bar for rock musicians. Thank you!
💪You're a champ, Charles, for "admitting" your Wrecking Crew oversight at bass! When I see those old pix of Carol in the studio, looking for all the world like a suburban housewife, it makes me wonder if she had any difficulties breaking down the studio door, so to speak, to even get an audition!
I imagine, though, with the jazz cred she brought in to begin with, she had no problem...and, just a 30-second audition would've convinced any chauvinist present!
Also, fun to think, as much as Brian loved the Spector sound and records, how surprised should we be in his choice of studio cats to play HIS music?! Not to mention Brian's free use of Gold Star, especially as one of his "go-to" studios for parts of "Good Vibrations"!
Well, always room to learn from someone with so much first-hand history! It's my understanding that it's not even agreed on whether Wrecking Crew was even an official name for them. But what a community. You are lucky to have been in the middle of it.
For so much of it, to be honest, I was "in the middle of it" only from copious amounts of reading of the rock-press of the day (especially during the '60s...I was only 10 in '65)! Added to the reading, I had access to virtually every promo album released from late '60s thru early '80s...thanks to Dad in late '60s thru early '70s, then my near-decade in radio and the record biz!
But, lucky? Heavens, yes! Now, my love of writing, and a desire to squeeze as much out of my head until dementia (inevitably, I'm guessing!) sets in is my reason for doin' the 'Stack!!! I'm glad you're on board for the ride!! Stay tuned!
Great overview, Charles, of the un- and under-sung of rock's important fem bassists. No mention of these gals, though, is complete without a tip of the Fender to Ms. Carol Kaye, 87, who locked down the bottom for The Wrecking Crew for so many years and recordings, as I know you know! Sara, Tina, Gail Ann, and Jill are all knowingly indebted to Carol, I'm sure!
I knew little about Sara, Gail Ann, and Jill, so I appreciate your light shining on them!
Oh, I have something in the works on Dorsey. She is a towering talent, just amazing.
Good....I look forward! I was all over Tina from Day 1....it helped that I hung out, backstage, at the Texas Opry House (Houston) T. Heads gig around '77/'78, on their tour for either their debut or 2nd album. Chris and she had either JUST married, or were JUST about to be married! Back in the band's early days, they were so cute as a couple!🤵👧
Hey Brad, great call. I'm embarrassed to say, I did not know she was part of the Wrecking Crew--I knew of them in connection with Phil Spector and a number of his acts but had never dug into the individual names. I had heard her name in connection with the Beach Boys but didn't realize how wide ranging and prolific she was. Prompted by your comment, I just did a look back and learned that she and most of the WC had true formal training and many started their careers in Jazz, which would make a lot of sense. It would explain why they were in demand--the skill needed to be a credible jazz musician is quite high compared with the bar for rock musicians. Thank you!
💪You're a champ, Charles, for "admitting" your Wrecking Crew oversight at bass! When I see those old pix of Carol in the studio, looking for all the world like a suburban housewife, it makes me wonder if she had any difficulties breaking down the studio door, so to speak, to even get an audition!
I imagine, though, with the jazz cred she brought in to begin with, she had no problem...and, just a 30-second audition would've convinced any chauvinist present!
Also, fun to think, as much as Brian loved the Spector sound and records, how surprised should we be in his choice of studio cats to play HIS music?! Not to mention Brian's free use of Gold Star, especially as one of his "go-to" studios for parts of "Good Vibrations"!
Well, always room to learn from someone with so much first-hand history! It's my understanding that it's not even agreed on whether Wrecking Crew was even an official name for them. But what a community. You are lucky to have been in the middle of it.
For so much of it, to be honest, I was "in the middle of it" only from copious amounts of reading of the rock-press of the day (especially during the '60s...I was only 10 in '65)! Added to the reading, I had access to virtually every promo album released from late '60s thru early '80s...thanks to Dad in late '60s thru early '70s, then my near-decade in radio and the record biz!
But, lucky? Heavens, yes! Now, my love of writing, and a desire to squeeze as much out of my head until dementia (inevitably, I'm guessing!) sets in is my reason for doin' the 'Stack!!! I'm glad you're on board for the ride!! Stay tuned!