Ray Pohlman

Merlyn Ray Pohlman (July 22, 1930 – November 1, 1990) was an American session musician, arranger, and composer best known for his innovative bass playing and contributions to numerous hit recordings as a member of the Wrecking Crew collective in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s.^[1][2] Born in Baker Township, Iowa, and raised in Los Angeles, Pohlman began his career as a jazz guitarist before transitioning to bass, becoming one of the first studio musicians to prominently feature the electric Fender bass on recordings.^[3][4] He started gaining prominence in the late 1950s, providing backup vocals for Kay Starr and touring with Billy May's Big Band, and soon became a top session player, contributing to hundreds of tracks for artists including Herb Alpert, Jan & Dean, and early Phil Spector productions.^[4] His breakthrough came with sessions for the Four Preps, after which he played on iconic Beach Boys songs such as "I Get Around" and "Good Vibrations," often collaborating closely with Brian Wilson on guitar parts and chord arrangements.^[2][4] In addition to bass and guitar, Pohlman served as musical director for ABC's television show Shindig! from 1964 to 1966, and earned a Grammy nomination in 1968 for his arranging work on The Association's single "Windy."^[4][5] He also extended his talents to film, working in the music department for projects like Snoopy Come Home (1972) and Constantinople (1977).^[3][4] Pohlman's versatile role in the studio scene helped shape the sound of pop and rock music in the era, establishing him as a dominant figure among LA's elite session players until his death from heart failure at age 60.^[1][4]

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Merlyn Ray Pohlman was born on July 22, 1930, in Baker Township, Osceola County, Iowa.^[3] He was the son of Henry Richard Pohlman Jr. (1892–1937) and Lena Emma Grewe (1897–1990), and had at least one sibling, Iona Mae Pohlman (1921–2013).^[6][7] The family resided in the rural farming community of Baker Township during his early childhood, where the agricultural lifestyle and local events characterized daily life.^[7] Following his father's death in 1937, Pohlman's mother remarried, and the family relocated to the Los Angeles area in California during the 1940s, settling in South Los Angeles by 1950.^[8][9][10] This move from the Midwest prairies to urban Southern California marked a significant shift in his early environment.

Initial Musical Influences and Training

Pohlman, born in Iowa and relocated to Los Angeles during his youth, developed an initial interest in music through jazz guitar during the 1940s, immersing himself in the vibrant local jazz scene that shaped his foundational style.^[4] This exposure to Los Angeles's jazz community, known for its innovative clubs and performers, influenced his early technical approach and appreciation for improvisational playing. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Pohlman gained practical experience as a backup singer for Kay Starr, performing on tour and honing his musical ear through live settings that blended jazz and popular idioms.^[4] These formative years provided informal training, allowing him to transition from guitar to bass, where he adapted his jazz-rooted techniques. His self-directed learning emphasized the rhythmic and harmonic complexities of jazz, drawing from the era's prominent figures and the dynamic LA environment, which encouraged versatility across instruments before his professional studio entry.^[4]

Professional Career

Transition to Session Musicianship

Ray Pohlman integrated into the city's burgeoning music scene in the early 1950s through his initial work as a jazz guitarist in local clubs.^[1] By 1951, he was performing regularly in Los Angeles jazz venues, building connections within the vibrant West Coast jazz community.^[11] Pohlman's early professional experience centered on live performances and backup roles, including tours with big bands such as Billy May's orchestra during the mid-1950s, where he contributed as a guitarist and vocalist in pop and jazz ensembles.^[12] This period marked his transition from onstage touring and club work to the more precise demands of studio session playing, a shift that accelerated in the late 1950s as Los Angeles emerged as a hub for record production.^[13] His entry into studio work gained momentum with early recording sessions for pop vocal groups, establishing him as a reliable bassist in both jazz-inflected and mainstream pop contexts by the end of the decade. Pohlman quickly took on logistical responsibilities, acting as a contractor who organized and led session crews, heading an early collective of musicians known as the First Call Gang in the 1950s—a precursor to the more formalized Wrecking Crew.^[11] In this capacity, he assembled consistent teams, including drummers like Earl Palmer and guitarists such as Al Casey, to ensure efficient and high-quality recordings for various labels.^[13]

Innovations in Bass Technique

Ray Pohlman is widely credited as the first studio musician to actively incorporate the electric bass guitar into Los Angeles recordings, beginning in 1956.^[14] Prior to this, he had experience playing upright bass, but his shift to the electric instrument marked a pivotal adaptation for studio environments, where the Fender Precision Bass became his primary tool due to its reliability and amplified output.^[1] This transition allowed for greater portability and consistency in sessions, moving away from the acoustically demanding upright bass that required careful microphone placement and was prone to feedback in early studio setups. A hallmark of Pohlman's technique was his early adoption of a pick to play electric bass lines, starting in 1956 alongside contemporaries like Rene Hall and Arthur Wright, which delivered a crisp, defined attack suited to the bright, forward sound of Hollywood productions.^[15] This approach contrasted with fingerstyle plucking common on upright bass and quickly influenced session standards, enabling faster execution and clearer integration with guitar and drum tracks in ensemble recordings. By the early 1960s, Pohlman had established himself as the dominant electric bassist in LA, applying these methods across hundreds of sessions to craft supportive, groove-oriented lines that emphasized root notes and rhythmic drive.^[14] Pohlman's innovations extended to recording practices, where his use of the electric bass enhanced overall production efficiency by providing a stable low-end foundation that locked rhythm sections together without the volume inconsistencies of upright bass in the pre-rock era.^[15] He also pioneered layering techniques, such as employing multiple bassists—including himself—where one instrument was tuned up a fifth to create richer stereo separation in the low frequencies, a method that improved spatial clarity in mixdowns without muddiness.^[16] These contributions helped standardize electric bass as an essential element in pop and rock rhythm sections, influencing how studios balanced tonal warmth with precision during the genre's formative years.

Collaborations and Contributions

Key Artists and Recordings

Ray Pohlman's collaborations in the 1950s began in the jazz and pop scenes, where he toured as a guitarist with Billy May's Big Band, contributing to recordings that captured the era's big band swing style.^[17] His early studio entry came later in the decade through session work with the vocal group The Four Preps.^[4] Transitioning into the 1960s, Pohlman embraced rock and surf influences, notably as arranger for The Marketts' instrumental hit "Out of Limits" in 1963, where his orchestration of layered guitars and driving rhythms helped propel the track to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, exemplifying his ability to craft energetic, radio-friendly arrangements for emerging instrumental acts.^[18] He also served as arranger and conductor for The Four Preps' novelty single "A Letter to the Beatles" in 1964, shaping its satirical pop structure with precise chord progressions and ensemble backing that mirrored the British Invasion's stylistic shifts while maintaining the group's clean-cut vocal appeal.^[19] In sideman roles during this period, Pohlman's bass work proved pivotal on key recordings, such as his six-string electric bass contributions to The Beach Boys' "I Get Around" in 1964, where his steady, propulsive lines underpinned the song's upbeat tempo and harmonies, aiding its ascent to the top of the charts as the group's first number-one single.^[20] These efforts highlighted his versatility in blending jazz-rooted technique with rock's rhythmic demands, often elevating the foundational groove in pre-1965 pop and rock sessions.^[4]

Involvement with the Wrecking Crew

Ray Pohlman served as a key figure in the formation and operations of the Wrecking Crew during the 1960s, acting as a contractor who recruited fellow session musicians for recording sessions through an answering service system commonly used in Los Angeles studios.^[21] As one of the group's early leaders, he helped assemble the loose collective of top-tier players for producers such as Snuff Garrett and Lou Adler, ensuring the availability of skilled instrumentalists for high-profile projects.^[21] His role extended to coordinating bass and guitar lines, leveraging his expertise on both instruments to anchor the rhythmic foundation of many tracks. Pohlman contributed to numerous landmark sessions alongside Wrecking Crew drummer Hal Blaine, providing bass on key Beach Boys recordings, including tracks from the album Pet Sounds such as "God Only Knows," as well as "Good Vibrations" and "California Girls."^[13] For Phil Spector's Wall of Sound technique, Pohlman lent his bass work to sessions backing artists like the Ronettes and the Crystals, helping create the dense, orchestral pop arrangements that characterized Spector's output.^[22] These collaborations extended to other acts, including Frank Sinatra and Sonny & Cher, where the Crew's collective efforts produced over 150 hit singles, many reaching number one on the charts.^[23] The interpersonal dynamics within the Wrecking Crew fostered a collaborative environment, with Pohlman and Blaine forming a particularly tight partnership as the core rhythm section for many sessions. Their synergy was evident in joint appearances, such as a 1967 studio photo with Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson during the recording of "Good Vibrations," highlighting their seamless integration into innovative productions.^[23] Pohlman's steady, versatile playing complemented Blaine's dynamic drumming, enabling the group to adapt quickly to diverse genres from surf rock to orchestral pop.^[24] Pohlman's participation peaked in the 1960s, when he was a core member of the 15-20 regular musicians comprising the Wrecking Crew, contributing to tens of thousands of recording sessions across the decade.^[13] This era marked the height of the group's influence, with Pohlman involved in the daily grind of 15-hour studio days that powered the West Coast music industry's output.^[23]

Film and Media Work

Composing Credits

Ray Pohlman contributed to music composition and arrangement primarily through his roles as musical director and arranger in television productions and album sessions during the 1960s and 1970s.^[3] His work evolved from providing bass lines and session support to overseeing full arrangements and musical direction, leveraging his extensive experience as a Wrecking Crew contractor to shape soundtracks and recordings.^[4] In 1964, Pohlman served as musical director for the ABC television series Shindig!, where he led the house band The Shindogs, arranging and conducting live performances for guest artists across over 40 episodes. This role marked an early expansion into media composition, blending rock, pop, and R&B elements to fit the show's energetic format.^[25] Pohlman's arranging credits include significant contributions to The Association's 1967 album Insight Out, where he co-arranged tracks alongside Bill Holman, Clark Burroughs, and the band, helping the release earn a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Album.^[26] The album's lush, orchestral arrangements showcased his ability to integrate strings and horns with vocal harmonies, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard 200.^[27] By the 1970s, Pohlman focused more on television, acting as musical director and arranger for the 1976 TV movie Mary's Incredible Dream, a variety special starring Mary Tyler Moore that featured original musical numbers blending pop and theatrical styles.^[28] He held a similar position for the 1977 TV movie Constantinople, directing the score for this musical special with Tina Turner, emphasizing rhythmic and vocal arrangements suited to its eclectic performances.^[29] These projects highlighted his shift toward comprehensive musical oversight in visual media.

Acting Appearances

Ray Pohlman made a minor acting appearance in film during the 1970s, often intersecting with his established role as a session musician and musical director in the Los Angeles entertainment industry. These roles typically leveraged his musical background, allowing him to contribute vocally or on-screen in projects that blended performance and artistry.^[3] In the animated feature Snoopy Come Home (1972), Pohlman provided featured vocals as a singing voice contributor, participating in musical sequences alongside performers like Thurl Ravenscroft and Shelby Flint. This voice work aligned with the film's song-driven narrative, where he supported the Sherman Brothers' score without a specified character role.^[30][31] Pohlman served as music director for the television special The Hoyt Axton Country Western Boogie Woogie Gospel Rock and Roll Show (1975), a musical variety production hosted by singer-songwriter Hoyt Axton. His involvement likely included on-screen presence as part of the ensemble, reflecting his frequent collaborations with Axton in live and recorded settings during the era.^[32][3]

Discography and Legacy

Selected Discography as Sideman

Ray Pohlman's work as a sideman bassist spanned rock, pop, and surf music from the late 1950s through the 1960s, contributing to over 200 recordings during his tenure with the Wrecking Crew.^[1] His electric bass lines provided foundational grooves on hits produced in Los Angeles studios, often blending innovative techniques with the era's commercial demands. The following selected discography highlights landmark entries, focusing on his bass credits (with arranger roles noted where applicable), organized chronologically.

Posthumous Recognition and Influence

Ray Pohlman died on November 1, 1990, in California, at the age of 60.^[3] Following his death, Pohlman received significant posthumous recognition through his inclusion in the 2008 documentary film The Wrecking Crew, directed by Denny Tedesco, which highlighted the contributions of Los Angeles session musicians during the 1960s and 1970s.^[35] The film features archival footage, interviews, and photographs showcasing Pohlman's role as a key bassist and arranger, crediting him with performances on landmark recordings by artists such as The Beach Boys and The Monkees.^[13] This documentary, which premiered at film festivals and later aired on public television, brought renewed attention to Pohlman's behind-the-scenes work and helped cement the legacy of the Wrecking Crew collective.^[36] Pohlman's pioneering adoption of the electric bass guitar in Los Angeles recording studios during the mid-1950s profoundly influenced modern session musicians and the development of rock and pop genres. As one of the earliest players to use the Fender Precision Bass on commercial sessions starting around 1956, he helped transition the instrument from novelty to essential tool, enabling tighter, more versatile rhythm sections that defined the Wrecking Crew's sound.^[14] His techniques, including pick-based playing and integration with orchestral elements, inspired subsequent generations of bassists, such as Carol Kaye, who built upon his innovations to shape the melodic and supportive roles of bass in pop arrangements.^[15] This foundational work contributed to the electric bass becoming a cornerstone of studio production, affecting genres from surf rock to psychedelia and beyond.