SHOWTIMES THRU 7/2: 8:00p - ENDS THURSDAY 7/2
GUEST SPEAKER: DIRECTOR DENNY TEDESCO IN ATTENDANCE FRI/SAT 6/19-20
PART OF ROCKDOCS @ ATHFEST09
ADMISSION: $8 GENERAL or $5 w/ ATHFEST WRISTBAND
You may not have heard their names, but you've heard their music. Director Denny Tedesco chronicles the musical history of his late father, the legendary Tommy Tedesco, and his compatriots Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, Al Casey, Earl Palmer, Plas Johnson, and the other L.A. session musicians known informally as "The Wrecking Crew." Uncredited and unknown outside the industry, these musicians played on a staggering number of hits, collectively recording more number one singles than Elvis and the Beatles combined. The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Paul Revere and The Raiders, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass are but a few of the acts whose hits were in fact played almost entirely by these session cats; and artists ranging from Frank and Nancy Sinatra to Ike and Tina Turner benefited from the impeccable backing of the Crew. Featuring revealing and often hilarious conversations with people from both sides of the mixing board, this documentary reveals the foundation of the 1960s West Coast music scene and the faces behind the soundtrack of America.
Director/Writer Denny Tedesco's chronicle of pop music's heyday delves back to the late 1950s, '60s and '70s, an era of all night recording sessions in cramped, smoke-filled rooms, when real musicianship was not only appreciated, it was demanded. Stocked with rare, historical footage and interviews with the groups members along with testimonials from music giants Nancy Sinatra, Lou Adler, Dick Clark, Herb Alpert, Glen Campbell, Cher, Brian Wilson, Jimmy Webb, Roger McGuinn, Gary Lewis among many others. THE WRECKING CREW is an essential document of contemporary pop history and a must-see for anyone who's ever picked up an instrument, lived-off pop radio and collected music.
"A wonderful, touching and hilarious film about the unsung stars of so many records that you carry in your heart." - Elvis Costello
"... what a great look at an unknown and unforgettable part of American pop music history. To see the men and women, most often uncredited, behind the soundtrack of the 60s and 70s, and to share a little of their infectious camarederie, was the next best thing to being there in the room with Brian and Spector and the rest." - Harry Shearer
"... an amazing look at a musical moment in history that everyone who loves rock and roll should see." - Christopher Guest
