One of the greatest things that has happened with the rise
of documentary feature films as well as their release to DVD is getting credit
to people who deserved it but never got it. The movie IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN
let us know that a group of musicians who came to be known as the Funk Brothers
performed all the music behind the biggest hits from Motown. MUSCLE SHOALS let
us know about the history of those who performed at that now famous recording
studio. Now we have another movie to add to that collection of films about
music from our past. THE WRECKING CREW tells the story of the studio musicians
who played on nearly everything to come out of California from the late 50s
through the early 80s.
You say you never heard of The Wrecking Crew? They may not
have been an actual band but this group of 15-30 musicians have filled your
ears whether you know it or not. Let me prove it. Have you heard any of the
following songs? “California Dreaming”, “Be My Baby”, “California Girls”, “You’ve
Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”, “Viva Las Vegas”, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Mr.
Tambourine Man”, “Windy”, “Wichita Lineman”, “These Boots Were Made For
Walking”, “Surfer’s Stomp”, “Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves”, “Love Will Keep Us
Together”, “Strangers in the Night”, “Up, Up and Away”, “A Taste of Honey” or “The
Beat Goes On”. How about the theme songs to TV series like Batman, Green Acres,
Hawaii Five O or MASH? If you’ve heard one of these songs then you’ve heard The
Wrecking Crew.
THE WRECKING CREW is a documentary made by Denny Tedesco,
the son of Tommy Tedesco one of the driving forces behind the studio musicians
known as the Wrecking Crew. The musicians got the moniker when they arrived on
the scene in California. Wearing jeans and T-shirts as they entered the studio
the old guard musicians said that they would wreck the music business, thus the
name. The prophecy didn’t stick because most continued playing for the next
40-50 years.
Going back to the beginning Tedesco (Denny) looks at the
early arrival of these musicians and how they worked in the business. Each was
a skilled musician eager to work and able to read music at a glance. Where
bands would form and try to learn the music being written for them by the
producers who gathered them together, the Wrecking Crew could pump out hit
after hit in no time flat. A great example in the movie is when Roger McGuin of
the Byrds talks about how it took 3 hours to record “Mr. Tambourine Man” with
the crew while it took 70 to record “Turn, Turn, Turn” with the actual band.
The crew new how to record in the studio and that was what made them so
valuable to producers and record companies.
On the plus side this meant that they were constantly in
need, especially during the early sixties as rock and roll began to take over
the airwaves. On the down side it meant that they rarely if ever received
credit for the work that they did. Their names didn’t appear on the credits of
nearly every album they ever played on. All of that has begun to change as
historians and fans try to remedy that situation. Inductions into the rock and
roll hall of fame have come as well as tons of recognition stemming from the
release of this film.
Interviews with a number of those who were a part of this
now famous group fill most of the movie along with pictures taken back when
they were the biggest thing around even if it was behind the scenes. Sadly a
number have passed since the making of the film. It’s great to know though that
their legacy and memories have been captured for us to enjoy for years to come.
The entire time I was watching this film all I could do was
marvel at all of them. I was stunned at their abilities, I was shocked that
they never got the credit they deserved and I was filled with an abundance of
joy while listening to some of the music that I grew up with and enjoyed time
and time again, year after year. That’s the true lasting legacy of The Wrecking
Crew, that the work that they did, the music that they created, will be here
for centuries to come. It’s a lasting tribute that shows they were worth much
more than the late recognition they finally received.
I can’t
recommend this movie strongly enough, especially if you grew up in the 60s and
70s or if you love music. I’ve watched it twice already. And while there are
probably more marketable and popular movies being released this week this is
the one I would tell you to go out and buy, to watch over and over again. A
great movie with great music that will put a smile on your face as each minute
passes.
