“The Greatest Drummer Ever” Dies at 90
Even if you’ve never heard of Hal Blaine, odds are you’ve heard his work. The veteran studio drummer provided the beat for such hits as the Byrds’ “Mr. Tombourine Man,” the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and countless others. All totaled, Blaine played drums on 40 number one hits.
Blaine died Monday of natural causes at his home in Palm Desert, California, his family announced on Tuesday. He was 90 years old.
His death has prompted tributes by a number of rock legends. In a Tweet, Brian Wilson calls Blaine “the greatest drummer ever,” while Ringo Starr says he was “an incredible musician.” Nancy Sinatra, posted a photo of herself with Blaine, writing, “Godspeed, old friend.”