Bill Pitman, a guitarist who contributed countless songs for TV series and films, died. He was 102.
The New York Times (via Deadline) first announced Pitman's death, saying that the musician died at his home in La Quinta, California.
The news outlet received further details from his wife, Janet Pitman, who disclosed that he died after receiving four weeks of hospice care due to a fractured spine following a fall.
Further details about the incident were not made available to the public.
Still, fans took their chance to pay tribute to the musician and remember his life and contribution to the industry.
One said, "Imagine playing on Sinatra, Elvis and the Beach Boys' albums... Being on the soundtrack for Star Trek episodes, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Dirty Dancing and Goodfellas... What an amazing life."
Bill Pitman's Life and Career Explored
#Guitarist Bill Pitman, who was part of the legendary Wrecking Crew session musicians, died Aug. 11, 2022 at his home. He was 102. He played on some of the most well-known songs of all time. Pitman worked with The Byrds, The Beach Boys, B.J. Thomas, The Ronettes & more. #RIP pic.twitter.com/7QU1Gb8Jd8
— Music Beat (@MusicBeat5) August 12, 2022
Another sad passing- Bill Pitman of the Wrecking Crew, aged 102. Played the ukulele on Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head and guitar on Pet Sounds, Strangers In The Night, Be My Baby etc. A man with little time for rock 'n roll personally, but who stamped his mark on it regardless
— Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy (@CitizenMeh) August 12, 2022
Pitman had fruitful collaborations with other famous musicians and singers when he began his career in the 1950s. Among the songs he played on include The Monkees' "Papa Gene's Blues," Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were," Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night," and The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations," to name a few.
He also became part of B.J. Thomas hit "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" by playing the track's ukulele.
He once clarified that he could only play mandolin and banjo like a guitar, telling Jim Carlton that he always told producers his limitations on the instruments.
"I'm not a mandolin player. I'd tell them I could double on it, but if they really wanted someone to play the mandolin, they should get a mandolin player. I could play rhythm on it, and even notes, but I always made it clear that I was a guitar player. But we all had five or six instruments because they didn't want to spend the money. And they'd get a lot out of one guy," he said.
Most of his compositions also made it to TV series like "I Love Lucy," "Green Acres," "M*A*S*H," and "Goodfellas." He then appeared as himself in the documentary "The Wrecking Crew."
Pitman also worked with Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, and Tommy Tedesco. From there, they became known as The Wrecking Crew and worked together to create back up scores for other musicians.
After decades of performing, he officially retired in 1989 and spent his last decades with his family.
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