http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/gillioz-theater-welcomes-039wrecking-crew039_70489.mp3
In the 1960s, studio musicians of Los Angeles were responsible for the hits of legendary music groups such as the Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Monkees. These musicians were known as the Wrecking Crew.
Denny Tedesco is the son of the legendary guitarist Tommy Tedesco, producer and director of the film.
He drew inspiration from his father’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Soon after, in 1996, Tedesco got a group of his filmmaker friends together to begin telling the story of his father and the Wrecking Crew.
“Anytime there was someone in LA recording these musicians were a part of it and I always wanted to tell that story,” Tedesco said.
Since he began his work, Tedesco has spent years creating and publicizing it.
“The most support I’ve received over these 17 years has been from strangers and folks that just love the musicians and the music,” Tedesco said.
“If I would have finished this film in a few years after I started it would not have been as good as the film that it became. I think a lot of things happened I grew up losing my father, understanding what the loss was after 10 years when I started finally getting the film together. God is looking down upon us and just saying you know what you’re not ready yet. Sometimes it’s my father looking down upon us and saying you know what kid just hold on just be patient. And that’s what I had to do; be patient,” Tedesco said.
The film has not been released yet due to music licensing issues with recording companies who own the songs used in the film. Tedesco has relied on his own funds in the past, but has now turned to raising money in order to get the film released.
The filmmakers of the Wrecking Crew are traveling the country playing for fundraisers. The documentary will be showing at The Gillioz on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.