Soundtrack jazz guitarist Alton "Al" Hendrickson hit final cord at 87
ronn...@gmail.com
heard musicians in history, died Thursday in North Bend, Oregon. He
was 87.
Hendrickson estimated that he played on over 5,000 film scores from
1939 to 1980, as well as hundreds of TV show soundtracks.
Playing mandolin as well as guitar, Hendrickson backed up pianist
Harry Nilsson on the soundtrack of The Point, a 1971 ABC special that
was the first made-for-TV animated movie to air in prime time. The
album reached #25 during a 32-week stay on the charts.
He played bass guitar for the graveyard music which plays in Disney's
Haunted Mansion attraction.
Hendrickson played on more than 15,000 record dates, accompanying
performers ranging from Sheb Wooley to The Monkees. His guitar was
heard on the soundtrack for Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas.
An early film credit was as the guitar player in the 1940 Fred Astaire
movie Second Chorus. Other film scores included The Wild Bunch,
Cleopatra, The Music Man, High Plains Drifter, The Turning Point, Some
Like It Hot, Blazing Saddles and West Side Story.
A Hollywood guitarist for over 40 years, he played the guitar licks on
such TV series as Bonanza, MASH and Mission Impossible.
Hendrickson also sang baritone vocals on Benny Goodman's "On A Slow
Boat To China," which became a million-seller in 1947.
He was born Alton Reynolds Hendrickson on May 10, 1920 in Eastland,
Texas.
In 1941, he joined the United States Coast Guard, playing with its
band, which was led by Rudy Vallee. He later became recognized as a
premier jazz guitarist while working with the Artie Shaw band and
Gramercy Five. He later played with the Benny Goodman band and sextet.
Settling in Los Angeles, Hendrickson was one of the few session men
who moved to California before the Second World War. He became one of
the busiest studio guitarists in America.
Known for his outstanding rhythm and solo playing, he became sought
after by leading bandleaders. He performed with Woody Herman, Dizzy
Gillespie, Andre Previn, Benny Carter, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong,
Johnny Mandel, Louis Bellson, Ray Noble and Neal Hefti.
He backed such famous jazz singers as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra,
Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Tony Bennett, Billie Holiday, Rosemary
Clooney and Lena Horne. He played in orchestras led by Lalo Schifrin,
Nelson Riddle and Quincy Jones.
Hendrickson was one of the five board members in the Warner Brothers'
ensemble Guitars, Inc. A regular member of Frankie Capp's late 1970s
"Juggernaut" big band, he retired to Oregon in the late 1980s.
He was the author of Encyclopedia of Bass Chords, Arpeggios and Scales
and Al Hendrickson Jazz Guitar Solos: Complete Book.
Al Hendrickson was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary Patricia
"Patti" Hendrickson.
He is survived by several cousins, nieces, a nephew and many dear
friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 26 at Holy
Redeemer Catholic Church, 2250 16th Street in North Bend. The Rev.
Karl Schray will officiate.
Arrangements are under the direction of North Bend Chapel, (503)
756-0440.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer
Society, Coos County, Unit 31, West Sixth Street, Medford, OR 97501.
~ Ron
Listen to my podcast -The Final Taxi
http://www.FinalTaxi.com
NCforever
in article 1185567622.5...@w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com,
ronn...@gmail.com at ronn...@gmail.com wrote on 7/27/07 3:20 PM: