Watch The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew is a 2008 documentary film narrated by Denny Tedesco, which tells the story of the session musicians who played on many of the most iconic hits of the 1960s and early 1970s. The film is named after the group of session musicians who played on these hits and is directed by Tedesco himself, who is the son of one of the members of the group.

The film delves into the behind-the-scenes world of session musicians and how they played an integral role in the music industry. These musicians, who were paid by the hour and often worked on a freelance basis, were responsible for adding the instrumental magic to some of the biggest chart-topping hits of the era. Despite their invaluable contribution to the music industry, these musicians were often relegated to anonymity and never received the recognition they deserved.

The film traces the history of the Wrecking Crew, beginning with their formation in the early 1960s. Among the members of the group were some of the most renowned musicians of the time, including guitarist Tommy Tedesco, drummer Hal Blaine, and bassist Carol Kaye. They also worked with vocalists like Glen Campbell, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Phil Spector.

The film includes interviews with many of the surviving members of the Wrecking Crew, as well as with some of the famous vocalists they worked with. One of the most notable interviews is with Brian Wilson, who describes how important the session musicians were to crafting the sound on many of the Beach Boys' hits. He also credits them with being able to bring his musical vision to life.

Another standout interview is with Dick Clark, who discusses the influence that the Wrecking Crew had on the music industry. Clark talks about how important these session musicians were in creating the sound that defined an era.

Cher is also featured in the film, discussing her experience working with the Wrecking Crew. She recalls how amazed she was at how quickly they were able to create a hit song, often finishing a song in one or two takes.

The film includes a lot of archival footage of the Wrecking Crew in action, playing on some of the most famous songs of the era. Seeing these musicians at work gives a real sense of how important they were and what a huge impact they had on the music of the time.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the way it weaves together the stories of the different members of the Wrecking Crew. Despite working together on so many hits, these musicians often didn't know one another very well, since they were brought in on a freelance basis. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the relationships between these musicians and how they all contributed to the iconic sound of the era.

Overall, The Wrecking Crew is a fascinating look at a group of musicians who played an integral role in the music industry but who were often overlooked. The film is well-paced and engaging, with lots of great stories and archival footage to keep viewers interested. If you're a fan of 1960s music or just interested in the history of popular music, this film is definitely worth checking out.

The Wrecking Crew is a 2015 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 67.