THE WRECKING CREW NEEDS YOUR HELP BY REBECCA DIRKS
The story of The Wrecking Crew documentary started
with the birth of rock ’n’ roll. “The
Wrecking Crew” was the nickname
given to the group of studio musicians that formed countless beats,
grooves, and melodies that are now
ingrained in the history of modern music—musicians that were
unknown to listeners for generations. Ironically, the documentary
about them is struggling to break
through to the mainstream, too.
That’s why we suggest you visit
wreckingcrewfilm.com and watch
the trailer. It’ll be one of the coolest
things you see online this month.
The trailer hints at why the film
gained critical acclaim and won
awards at regional and major film
festivals in 2008. You hear Cher,
Brian Wilson, and Dick Clark
reminisce about the Crew’s incred-
ible talent and output. And Crew
members like Tommy Tedesco,
Hal Blaine, and Glen Campbell
share their memories. Underneath
it all is a soundtrack of hits you’d
never suspect were created by the
same musicians—songs like Nancy
Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made
for Walkin’,” the Ronettes’ “Be My
Baby,” and even the Beach Boys’
“California Girls.”
The film was conceived by
Denny Tedesco, son of Crew
guitarist Tommy Tedesco, as a tribute to his dying father in the mid
’90s. Tedesco compiled interviews with members of the Wrecking
Crew and the musical acts they recorded for, along with original
photographs and footage, and spliced it all together with the star of
the show—the songs—to tell the story of these unsung heroes.
Despite his passion to make it happen, funding was hard to
come by. “People said, ‘You have way too much music, you’ll never
get this made,’” he explained. “I put everything I had into it, my
house, credit cards—you’re not supposed to do that, but I had no
choice because it’s a personal story for me. It went too far, and I
had to finish it.” After 14 years of work, with the help of his wife,
family, and longtime-friends, Tedesco completed the film in 2008.
However, despite the acclaim, Tedesco still lacks the funds to
bring it to wide release due to music licensing costs. In order to do
justice to the musicians featured in the film, The Wrecking Crew is
packed with over 100 songs—which translates into a hefty licensing
tab. But Tedesco is quick to point out that the record labels aren’t
the villains in this story. “They’ve given me incredible rates,” he said.
Joe Osborne
Tommy Tedesco and Carol Kaye
Glen Campbell
Bill Pitman
The goal is, at the very least, to be able to release the film
on DVD. But after years of being told that it wouldn’t happen,
Tedesco is optimistic. “I have $250,000 to go but I know I can
do it. This is the first time in 14 years that I’m not waiting for an
angel to come in, or a distributor. When the money comes in, I
immediately turn around and pay off a label. There’s nothing better
than writing that check to Lionel Records.”
Public and private fundraising screenings are being held across
the country at music stores, schools, clubs, guitar shows, libraries,
and more. Tedesco explains, “It’s not often people can say, ‘I helped
that film get out there.’ Every five or 10 dollars helps.”
A list of regional screenings is available online. In addition,
the filmmakers are taking donations of any amount, as well as
“dedications” for each specific song. Dedications cost $1000, and
include a personal message to be shown in a chapter of the DVD.
Whether or not you choose to donate is up to you, but at the
very least, log on, read the story, and watch the trailer.
