Coleman, Gary (1936-Present)

Composer and percussionist born Gary Lynn Coleman in Jeanette, Pennsylvania who was a member of The Wrecking Crew, a tightly knit group of Los Angeles session musicians that seemingly played on anything and everything in the 1960s and 1970s. Gary was certainly no exception.

One of his early recordings was Guitars 1965 (California Creamin’), on which he backed Carol Kaye & the Hitmen on percussion and vibes.

In 1966, he appeared on The Beach Boys‘ groundbreaking LP, Pet Sounds, and The Monkees’ self-titled debut. He associated himself with The Association, providing marimba and percussion on their 1967 album, Insight Out.

In 1968, he played percussion on The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees. He reunited with them on Instant Replay and performed on Hog Fat by Jimmy Gordon and His Jazzpops Band and The World of Harry Partch in 1969.

In 1970, he recorded Blood, Chet and Tears with Chet Baker and appeared on Eruptions by John Klemmer and Gimme Shelter by Merry Clayton. He also pitched in on Merry Clayton’s eponymous follow-up in 1971.

In 1972, he published a pair of his own compositions, Percussion Sextet No. 1 and Prelude & 2 Dances.

His credits in 1973 included Bulletin Board by The Partridge Family, Last Stage for Silverwood by Kenny Young, and Ultra Violet’s self-titled album. In 1974, he helped heat up Instant Coffey by Dennis Coffey and Hot City by Gene Page.

He appeared on the following albums in 1975: Cate Brothers; Daryl Hall/John Oates; Quiet Storm by Smokey Robinson; Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell and You by Aretha Franklin.

In 1976, he lent his percussive talents to I Want You by Marvin Gaye, Roger Troy’s eponymous LP, and The Royal Scam by Steely Dan.

He performed on Aja by Steely Dan, A+ by Stephen Sinclair, Donald Clark Osmond, Nether Lands by Dan Fogelberg and Sweet Passion by Aretha Franklin in 1977.

In 1978, he appeared on Paul Anka’s Listen to Your Heart, Renee Armand’s In Time, Yvonne Elliman’s Night Flight, Dan Fogelberg’s and Tim Weisberg’s Twin Sons of Different Mothers, Les McCann the Man and Matthew Moore’s Winged Horses. He also played percussion on Yvonne Elliman’s self-titled follow-up in 1979.

In 1980, he performed vibraphone on La Toya Jackson’s eponymous solo album and her brother Jermaine’s Let’s Get Serious. He played congas on Wendy and Lisa in 1987. In 1989, he played vibes on Rickie Lee Jones’ Flying Cowboys and percussion on Roy Orbison’s Mystery Girl.

He collaborated with Ben Sidran on That’s Life I Guess in 1990. In 2001, he performed percussion on Mo’ Wax by David Axelrod.

Other recordings on which he appears include Anthology by John Lennon, The Best of the Monkees, Citizen Steely Dan, A Decade of Steely Dan, The Definitive Collection by Steely Dan, The Monkees Music Box, and Where the Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968.

Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams recordings
Emotion (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
S CBS 6164B (UK 45)

Sources:

Coleman, Gary (1936-Present)

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