Fusion 45

Between 1961 and 1964, Hal Blaine played drums on 36 Top 10 singles. In 1963 and 1964, alone, he recorded 30 of them. Here’s a selection of 16 that defined the West Coast pop sound that, in turn, shaped everything from ZZ Top to The Ramones.

The Beach Boys - Surfin’ Safari (#3 in 1963)

I was in my late 30’s before I realized that the first line is not “if everybody had an ulcer, across the USA”. This is one of the songs that defined the “four-on-the-floor” bass drum beat you hear in so many surf songs (emulating your heart pounding in your ears, I would guess).

The Beach Boys - Be True To Your School (#6 in 1963)

Blaine’s work on the television soundstage gave him a real symphonic feel, witnessed here by the triangle on the downbeat of every measure.

The Beach Boys - Surfer Girl (#7 in 1963)

I bought their ‘Endless Summer’ album sometime in the early seventies and played this one TO DEATH. I always liked the depth of the snare drum on this record, even though the beat itself is nothing special.

The Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe (#7 in 1963)

I’m contemplating a post called: “Songs With Great Opening Snare Drum Riffs”. This, and ‘Pretty Lady’ by Lighthouse, would be the first two.

The Crystals - Da Doo Ron Ron (#3 in 1964)

The original version of a song recorded 736,756 times (in America alone). Best part: the sax and tom-tom duet every measure starting at :20.

The Ronettes - Be My Baby (1963)

I threw it in because Blaine recorded on the original (but this ain’t it).

Dean Martin - Everybody Loves Somebody (1964)

From my Dad’s generation, the 50’s lived-on well into the 60’s (and Dean Martin is partly to blame). Another example of Blaine’s diversity.

Jan And Dean - Little Old Lady From Pasadena (#3 in 1964)

Love the classic eight-note snare pattern at the chorus…

Jan And Dean - Dead Man’s Curve (#8 in 1964)

‘Be My Baby’ but faster (and more morbid…).

Johnny Rivers - Mountain of Love (#9 in 1964)

Well, I love Johnny Rivers. He was the just the right mix of handsome pop star, rock and roller guitarist and cowboy sharpie. There are no great shakes here on the kit, but the song is perfect.

Lorne Green - Ringo (1964)

Herein lays a Cartwright…

The Beach Boys - I Get Around (#1 in 1964)

As radios began to improve sonic choices started to show through, witnessed here by the deeper snare sound.

The Beach Boys - Fun Fun Fun (#5 in 1964)

The great drum roll at :18 and the hi-hat/Telecaster rhythm duet make this song, hands down.

The Marketts - Out Of Limits (#4 in 1964)

I don’t know much about punk rock, but I can imagine The Ramones covering this.