I went to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Monday and saw one of Hal's sets displayed. It was listed as being from 1962, but the serial numbers I read indicated that most drums were from 1963/64 and the 16x16 floor tom was likely from 1968. I could not handle the drums or get too close, as this is a museum, but I noted the serial numbers I could see for my records.

Such sad news. I never had the chance to meet him although I did once get a nice letter from him after sending him one (MD published his address once back in the 1980's).

An old friend of mine (not a drummer) who lives in Palm Springs happened to become acquainted with him and would meet him for lunch occasionally. I was visiting him in 2014 when out of the blue he asked me if I knew who Hal Blaine was. Well of course I did. He mentioned that he might be able to set up a lunch with him while I was there. Unfortunately that didn't come to pass (just one of several scheduling mishaps that occurred on that particular trip). I told him I'd fly back out just for that opportunity but it never worked out even though he met up with Hal several more times. I always heard about these meetings after the fact. Oh well.

So sorry to see another great one go.

Hal got the last line of The Wrecking Crew documentary, and it gets me every time.

What do you call a trombone player with a beeper?

An optimist!

A long life, well lived, and much accomplished. We should all be so lucky.