Legendary drummer Hal Blaine dies in Palm Desert

Drummer Hal Blaine, who played on many of the biggest hits in music history, has died.

Blaine’s son-in-law Andy Johnson tells The Associated Press that Blaine died of natural causes Monday at his home in Palm Desert, California. He was 90.

The session drummer was a virtual one-man soundtrack of the 1960s and ’70s who played on songs featuring Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys and thousands of others. He laid down one of the most memorable opening riffs of all time on the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby.”

Few outside the music industry knew his name, but just about anyone with a turntable, radio or TV heard his drumming.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award last year.