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RIP Frank "Frankie" Capp, Session Drummer & Percussionist
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Topic: RIP Frank "Frankie" Capp, Session Drummer & Percussionist (Read 4002 times)
guitarfool2002
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"Barba non facit aliam historici"
RIP Frank "Frankie" Capp, Session Drummer & Percussionist
«
on:
September 12, 2017, 06:55:07 PM »
Just got word that Frank Capp passed away today. For those unfamiliar with his name, guaranteed you know his work. He was a jazz drummer, great friend of Buddy Rich, played with the best big bands of the era including Woody Herman's "Thundering Herd", Sinatra...film soundtracks including many Looney Tunes cartoon shorts and Mission Impossible...and damn near everyone cutting pop records in LA in the 60's. He became known, according to Frankie himself, as first-call percussionist in LA almost by accident or default. Phil Spector used him on dates regularly, and like other Wrecking Crew members, as soon as Phil got those hits, everyone else came calling. But Frankie was a full-kit drummer, yet he became known for and in great demand for adding percussion.
Chances are if you hear some percussion on a 60's hit cut in the LA studios, it was probably Frank Capp. He also played full kit on "I Got You Babe", for Sonny and Cher...after remembering Sonny Bono as the guy who would raid his equipment trunk for any percussion item he could find and add to the studio session with Phil...because he'd get paid scale as a musician no matter what he picked up and played! Sonny was still a runner (or go-fer) for Phil in the early days.
And in the early days, Frank remembers another young guy always being around the LA studios, before he became really, really famous...Brian Wilson. This had to be around 62-63 when other reports have pegged Brian as being there observing other producers making records at the usual studios like Gold Star, Western/United, etc...learning his own trade and craft by observing and studying how to make records on the spot. Some say Brian did that a lot more than what gets noted...Frankie backed that up.
And of course...much of the famous Brian Wilson "sound" from 65-66 like Pet Sounds features Frankie playing percussion. In Frank's own words, "Brian Wilson was a brilliant composer."
And that sums up the contribution of musicians like Frankie Capp, those players we've all heard on hundreds if not thousands of recordings but whose skill and talent made those brilliant compositions come to life in the studio. It's a shame but again time marches on and we lose another legendary musician whose work we all enjoyed and will continue to enjoy.
RIP
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"All of us have the privilege of making music that helps and heals - to make music that makes people happier, stronger, and kinder. Don't forget: Music is God's voice." - Brian Wilson
guitarfool2002
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #1 on:
September 12, 2017, 07:08:57 PM »
Just want to add...for those with a penchant for listening to session tapes, official, semi-official, and unofficially released...listen for Brian on the talkback saying "Frankie" during the session. Same with Spector. Then imagine the final track without the sounds Frankie added. In some cases the percussion was as vital a sonic hook for those tracks as any other key instrument. Once again, tribute to guys like Frank Capp who played those parts so well.
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"All of us have the privilege of making music that helps and heals - to make music that makes people happier, stronger, and kinder. Don't forget: Music is God's voice." - Brian Wilson
rab2591
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #2 on:
September 12, 2017, 07:36:47 PM »
Every year it seems something like this happens to someone close to this music. Rest In Peace, indeed. On the bright side, it is an incredible achievement to have your own talent on some of the greatest songs ever recorded...something like that ensures that even after your passing you have made a near permentant mark in this world.
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Bicyclerider
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #3 on:
September 12, 2017, 08:28:06 PM »
Didn't he play the shaking keys on Surf's Up?
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Sound of Free
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #4 on:
September 12, 2017, 10:41:51 PM »
He did play on "Surf's Up," and maybe his finest hour on a Beach Boys song was "Wouldn't It Be Nice," where he played timpani, tambourine and celeste.
Here is a clip playing the hell out of the triangle, and then drums on "The Pink Panther Theme," with Plas Johnson, who played on Beach Boys songs, featured on sax.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q
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Hickory Violet Part IV
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #5 on:
September 12, 2017, 11:46:34 PM »
Oh man. Bit by bit the Crew are leaving us
Who else feels like they know these people after poring over hours of session recordings?
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JK
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Re: RIP Frank \
«
Reply #6 on:
September 13, 2017, 02:17:42 AM »
Quote from: Hickory Violet Part IV on September 12, 2017, 11:46:34 PM
Oh man. Bit by bit the Crew are leaving us
So many of them are of that age. Inevitable, really. But yes, a great shame...
"Frankie, you forgot 'Here Comes The Bride'!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygi4mOuuevU
Eighty-six is a pretty good age. Rest in peace, sir.
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"Ik bun moar een eenvoudige boerenlul en doar schoam ik mien niet veur" (Normaal, 1978)
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c-man
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #7 on:
September 13, 2017, 04:18:25 AM »
Quote from: Sound of Free on September 12, 2017, 10:41:51 PM
He did play on "Surf's Up," and maybe his finest hour on a Beach Boys song was "Wouldn't It Be Nice," where he played timpani, tambourine and celeste.
Here is a clip playing the hell out of the triangle, and then drums on "The Pink Panther Theme," with Plas Johnson, who played on Beach Boys songs, featured on sax.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q
I think it was actually a glockenspiel, rather than a celeste, that Frankie played on "WIBN" (in addition to the tambourine and tympani, as mentioned). The AFM sheet for that session lists that instrument as "bells", which normally meant glock. And yes - he shook a set of car keys ("like jewelry", as Brian put it) and played the hi-hat via the foot pedal on "Surf's Up". And I've always enjoyed the session banter between Brian and Frankie!
The man's legacy will live on in the music he helped bring to life! R.I.P.
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JK
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #8 on:
September 13, 2017, 05:16:31 AM »
Quote from: c-man on September 13, 2017, 04:18:25 AM
I think it was actually a glockenspiel, rather than a celeste, that Frankie played on "WIBN" (in addition to the tambourine and tympani, as mentioned). The AFM sheet for that session lists that instrument as "bells", which normally meant glock.
Sounds like a glockenspiel to me too (two A's just after 4:50 here). I reckon it's too percussive and"ringy" for a celeste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofByti7A4uM
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"Ik bun moar een eenvoudige boerenlul en doar schoam ik mien niet veur" (Normaal, 1978)
You're Grass and I'm a Power Mower: A Beach Boys Orchestration Web Series
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Sound of Free
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Re: RIP Frank
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Reply #9 on:
September 13, 2017, 08:09:15 AM »
Thanks for the clarification. I was calling it a celeste based on the otherwise excellent "Behind the Sounds" video on YouTube.
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NateRuvin
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #10 on:
September 13, 2017, 11:11:14 AM »
That's sad to hear. He played on so many classic BBs recordings and more.
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RangeRoverA1
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Re: RIP Frank \
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Reply #11 on:
September 14, 2017, 09:59:10 PM »
Quote from: guitarfool2002 on September 12, 2017, 07:08:57 PM
In some cases the percussion was as vital a sonic hook for those tracks as any other key instrument.
Well said. Agree 100%.
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