Hal Blaine (born Harold Simon Belsky on February 5, 1929 in Holyoke, Massachusetts) is an American drummer and session musician
He played on recordings with Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley. He published his memoirs, Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew in 1990.
A somewhat unappreciated Grammy Awards record is held by Blaine who played on 6 consecutive Record of the Year winners:
- Simon & Garfunkel in 1971 for "Bridge Over Troubled Water",
- 5th Dimension in 1970, for "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In",
- Simon & Garfunkel in 1969, for "Mrs. Robinson",
- 5th Dimension in 1968, for "Up, Up and Away",
- Frank Sinatra in 1967, for "Strangers in the Night ",
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass in 1966, for "A Taste of Honey".
Blaine is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in Los Angeles.
