Meet the Wrecking Crew!

wrecking crew horizontal

LA studio musicians who recorded the soundtrack of the 1960s profiled in Denny Tedesco’s feature documentary

By Linda A. Rapka

You may not know their names, but you know their music.

The soundtrack of the late 1950s and 1960s was largely recorded by a group of Los Angeles studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. The Beach Boys, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Monkees, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, the Mamas & the Papas, Simon and Garfunkel, the Tijuana Brass, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers, and even Alvin and the Chipmunks are but a small few of the hundreds of popular artists for whom the Crew recorded, though more often than not were left uncredited on the album sleeve. Continue reading →

Support the Local 47 Political Action Committee Fund

local-47-pacCHECK THE BOX

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to City Hall!

Your voluntary contributions will allow us to take our concerns directly to City Hall by supporting candidates and legislation that furthers the goals of professional musicians in Los Angeles.

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  • Check the “Local 47 PAC” box on your Dues Statement and write in your desired donation amount.
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March 2015 Overture Online: Meet the Wrecking Crew!

Overture_2015_03 cover

Overture Online: March 2015

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW – Read the Overture Online on your smartphone or tablet available from the App Store or Google Play.

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While Overture Online is optimized for reading via the app versions, readers may also access the new issue on your web browser here.

Continue reading →

Final Notes: Neil LeVang

Neil LeVangLife Member. Violin
(1932 – 2015)

By Mark LeVang, son

My father, Neil LeVang, the noted studio guitarist whose list of credits includes hundreds of television and film dates as well as a 23-year career with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, died at home, peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 26. He was 83. Continue reading →

Final Note: Donald Waldrop

Note TreeLife Member. Bass Trombone
(1940-2014)

By Miles Anderson

As many of you may know, Don was an excellent all-round musician capable of performing in quite diverse musical genres. Today, this ability is pretty much taken for granted, but 40 years ago, not so much. Don was also ahead of his time in doubling on bass trombone and tuba. Today, it’s an economic necessity. (He was also an outstanding copyist of the pre-Finale era.) Don’s curiosity and intelligence went well beyond music, and contributed much to our lively friendship. RIP Don. 

Final Note: John Haig Bilezikjian

John BilezikjianLife Member. Oud
(1948-2015)

By Miamon Miller

I first saw John Bilezikjian perform some 40 years ago and have been fortunate to play with him many times over the past 25 years.  We must have worked at least 100 jobs together, and over that span I never heard him play a wrong note or a note out of time.  Continue reading →

March 2015 In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Raymond D. Acton
Life Member. Horn
8/8/1921 – 12/7/2014
Survived by daughter

John H. Bilezikjian
Life Member. Oud
2/1/1948 – 1/19/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Boniface “Buddy” De Franco
Life Member. Saxophone
2/17/1923 – 12/24/2014
Survived by spouse & family

Travis Warren
Life Member. Piano
7/30/1927 – 2/3/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Christmas Goes Full Throttle With Six Flags Magic Mountain Band

Photos: Linda A. Rapka

Full Throttle Band:
Nolan Wren – Leader/Drums
Bryan Archer – Guitar
Jeff Ramos – Bass
Nick Gilroy – Keyboards
Jayme Palmer – Vocalist

In December, we dropped by Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia to check out the Local 47 rock band performing at the theme park’s “Snowy Nights” evening concerts.

Dubbed the Mistle-Tones during the holiday season, the group entertained park goers with fun renditions of holiday tunes from a large stage set up outside the Full Throttle ride. Additional guest vocalist on the night of our visit was Actors’ Equity member Joe Donohoe. During the evening DJ sets, Local 47 member Ricky Lorek performed live drums.

The Full Throttle band also performed during the summers and Fright Fest Halloween-season “Voodoo Nights” in 2013 and 2014.

Referral Service Meet & Greet with Christy Crowl

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Promoting Live Musicians in Los Angeles with Christy Crowl

Monday, March 9
7-9 p.m.
Local 47 Serena Kay & Earl Williams Auditorium


The latest installment of our Referral Service Meet & Greet series will feature guest speaker Christy Crowl, a musical director, conductor, keyboard player, singer, and music collaborator. Continue reading →