Wrecking Crew Movie Call to Action

Here I’m fowarding the latest Wrecking Crew Movie newsletter entirely. These are not my words, but the words of the movie’s creator Denny Tedesco (yes, Tommy Tedesco’s son).

quoting:

Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts
– Ruth Gordon

Well here are the facts that I will face and conquer, as well as a few questions that need to be addressed.

Why has the film not been released yet?

  • I have to pay off the licensing before we can distribute. Pretty easy to understand when you have 133 music cues the majority of which are huge hit records, but without them there is not a story!
  • Once we pay off the licensing we will hit the road with the film. Small art house theaters, special events-fund raisers, universities, local music stores. (if they want it, we’ll be there)
  • The DVD of the film will have a companion DVD of out-takes.  I continue to shoot more interviews to be included in the 2nd DVD.
  • We hope to have a compilation soundtrack to go with it. (CD and LP— dust off the turntable)

Why haven’t I given up?
That wouldn’t be a great example to my children.  The screenings that we have give me hope and faith by the encouraging words from the audiences at Q&As as well as the emails that follow. If they were walking out, then I’d quit. Neither my father nor his friends ever gave up their dream of playing music for a living so I will keep going to share their story.

Why is this film and other music docs of this era important?
If you were an art student and someone asked, “Who is Michelangelo, Picasso or Leonardo da Vinci?”, they know who they were (hopefully). Well I feel the same way about these musicians and artists in the 20th century. Thousands of years of making music, but we are the only generation in the history of mankind to experience the first recordings. We know exactly what the artist meant the piece to sound like. The only way to teach any subject is to know the fundamentals, and what came before us influences what we produce in the future. This is not just music but everyday life.

I guess Ella says it better.

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong – Ella Fitzgerald

One Last Request…
I received an email from a fan of the movie in Europe. He loved the film which is very gratifying, but then he said he bought it on the internet. Oh wow! I hope that’s not true. If it is, I beg you with all of my heart -? please, please don’t buy this film until you receive an official announcement from me that it’s available to purchase. You’ll be the first to know if you’ve signed up on the website.

I have spent 14 years of my life, trying to make this dream come true. I can’t even imagine the kind of person that would do that. That is bad Karma.

(If you want the Wrecking Crew Film with Dean Martin as Matt Helm — that’s different… go for it)

My other request goes to others who have made copies from screeners without my permission. Some of you I know. (this is different then selling it)

I truly thank you so much for the greatest compliment by bootlegging the DVD. And the buzz is the best thing that keeps others wanting to see it which is awesome. But it doesn’t get me across the finish line.

Ask any musician how they would feel if they found out someone didn’t buy their album because they already had a copy. (hit home?)

But please at least send a donation to help me pay for the rights. It’s tax deductible. Send me the matinee price if you watched it during the day. But if you watched it at night with a room full of musicians, please think of it as a cheap night out with friends.

If you’re one of the many tour buses that had the chance to view it and liked it, dedicate a song from your band. (details on website).

Enjoy the out-takes and please tell others to sign up on the site. It’s the most important need next to raising donations.

Thanks.
Denny
www.wreckingcrewfilm.com

Surf Legends Lineup in Memorial for Jerry Cole

I forward this from the Tiki Events mailing list:

Paul Johnson (The Belairs, new Surfaris, etc) will play in an All-Star band featuring George Tomsco of The Fireballs in a benefit concert for the late Jerry Coleother notables that will join in are Preston Epps (if you go, tell him I say Hi!), Jewel Atkins, Hal Blaine and Don Randi of the Wrecking Crew, John Blair, etc.

at
The Baked Potato
3787 Cahuenga Blvd West. Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 980-1615
noon to 4:30 p.m
$10

LA Weekly


Otto von Stroheim

Wrecking Crew News

From Wrecking Crew News:

Hi Wrecking Crew supporters!

After playing to great response at SXSW, Buffalo, Nashville and Seattle Film Festivals (see reviews), we are thrilled to announce that ‘The Wrecking Crew’ documentary will have it’s Los Angeles premiere on June 28th, 2008. The film will play under the banner “Movies That Matter” as part of the Grand Performances Program in downtown LA at 350 S.Grand. Ave.

This is a free, outdoor festival-style screening under the stars. You can bring a picnic, deck chairs, blankets and even white wine, they don’t allow red wine as it can stain the granite in the Festival area. If a picnic is not your speed, there are some great restaurants in the area. Even though tickets are free, please make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to eat and find a place to sit. Don’t forget a chair or blanket.

We are also very honored to announce that the presentation of the film will be followed by a live performance by Wrecking Crew alumni Hal Blaine (drums), Carol Kaye (electric bass), Don Randi (piano) and Chuck Berghofer (upright bass). Vocals by Julia Fordham and other guest aritsts.

Please Help Us Spread The Word. Its Very Important That Musicians And Music Lovers Know Of This Event. Thanks For Your Support.

I wrote a bout the Wrecking Crew movie here earlier.

Wrecking Crew Movie

via Moritz ®

A film by Denny Tedesco
What is the Wrecking Crew?

The Wrecking Crew were a group of Studio Musicians in Los Angeles in the 60s who played on hits for the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, Jan & Dean, The Monkees, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mamas and Papas, Tijuana Brass, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers and were Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. The amount of work that they were involved in was tremendous. …

here’s the trailer

Song List (the links go straight to iTunes):

5th Dimension
Let the Sunshine in/Aquarius
Stone Soul Picnic
Up Up and Away
One Less Bell to Answer

Association
Windy
Never My Love

Beach Boys
California Girls
Don’t Worry Baby
Fun Fun Fun
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
I Get Around
Sloop John B

Byrds
Mr. Tamborine Man
Turn Turn Turn

Glen Campbell
By The Time I Get to Phoenix
Gentle on My Mind
Wichita Lineman

Captain and Tennille
Love Will Keep Us Together

Carpenters

Close to You
We’ve Only Just Begun

Cher
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves
Half Breed

Chipmunks
Chipmunks Theme

Nat King Cole
Ramblin Rose

Sam Cooke
Twisting the Night Away
You Send Me

Crystals
And He Kissed Me
Da Doo Ron Ron
He’s A Rebel

Bobby Day
Rockin’ Robin

Defenders
Taco Wagon

Shelley Fabares
Johnny Angel

Richard Harris
MacArthur Park

Jan & Dean
Dead Man’s Curve
Surf City
Little Old Lady From Pasadena
Balboa Blue

Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Everybody Loves a Clown
Sure Gonna Miss Her
This Diamond Ring

Barry McGuire
Eve of Destruction

Mamas & Papas
California Dreaming
Creque Alley
Dedicated to the One I Love
Monday Monday

Henry Mancini
Pink Panther

Marketts
Out of Limits
Surfer Stomp

Dean Martin
Every Body Loves Somebody

Scott McKenzie

Are You Gonig to San Francisco

Monkees
Mary Mary
Valerie

Chris Montez
Let’s Dance

Ricky Nelson
Fools Rush In

Wayne Newton
Danke Schoen

Jack Nitzsche
Lonely Surfer

Harry Nilsson
Everybody’s Talking At Me (Echoes)

Partridge Family
Come on Get Happy

Elvis Presley
A Little Less Conversation
Viva Las Vegas

Paul Revere & the Raiders
Indian Reservation

Righteous Brothers
Unchained Melody
You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

Rip Chords
Hey Little Cobra

Johnny Rivers
Poor Side of Town

Tommy Roe
Dizzy

Ronettes
Be My Baby
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Routers
Let’s Go

Sandpipers
Guantanamera

Lalo Schifren
Mission Impossible

Simon and Garfunkel
Mrs. Robinson

Frank Sinatra
Strangers in the Night
That’s Life

Nancy Sinatra
These Boots Were Made for Walking
Drummer Man

Sonny and Cher
The Beat Goes On
I Got You Babe

T-Bones
No Matter What Shape Your Stomach Is In

Nino Tempo & April Stevens
Deep Purple

Tijuana Brass
Lonely Bull
Spanish Flea
Taste of Honey
Whipped Cream
Zorba the Greek

Ike and Tina Turner
River Deep Mountain High

Ritchie Valens
Donna

Bobby Vee
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes

Ventures
Hawaii 5-O

Mason Williams
Classical Gas

Roger Williams

Born Free

Official Hal Blaine Site

One of the great Los Angeles session men, he played drums on countless hit records, as well as some of the best instrumental studio productions of the sixties. Here’s the Official Hal Blaine Website

here’s his drumming on iTunes
The Gene Norman Group featuring Glen Campbell, Jim Horn, Al Delory, Lyle Ritz, and Hal Blaine - Dylan Jazz
Nancy Sinatra & Hal Blaine - The Essential Nancy Sinatra
Glen Campbell - Classic Campbell