Revered session drummer Hal Blaine dies

Musicians Geln Campbell (L) and Hal Blaine attend the induction of "The Wrecking Crew" into Hollywood's Rockwalk at Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd, June 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. [File Photo: VCG]

Hal Blaine, a Hall of Fame session drummer and virtual one-man soundtrack through the 1960s and '70s, has died.

He was 90.

While virtually unknown to anyone outside music circles, Blaine was a highly sought after drummer, playing on albums recorded by music heavyweights such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys.

He laid down one of music's most memorable opening riffs on the Ronettes' "Be My Baby."

His family says Blaine died of natural causes at his home in Palm Desert, California, on Monday.

On hearing of his death, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson has called him "the greatest drummer ever."

The winner of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award last year, Blaine is credited on eight songs that won Grammys for record of the year, including Sinatra's "Strangers In the Night" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

He is thought to be the only drummer to back Presley, Sinatra and John Lennon.