Bill Pitman, Revered Wrecking Crew Guitarist, Dies at 102

Rania Aniftos
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Bill Pitman, a guitarist and bassist known for his work as part of the iconic Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles, died on Thursday (Aug. 11). He was 102 years old.

The New York Times confirmed the news, adding that the session musician died at his home in La Quinta, California. No cause of death was revealed, but Pitman recently fractured his spine after a fall.

More from Billboard

Pitman was born in Belleville, New Jersey in 1920 and grew up in New York City, and went on to study composition at the Los Angeles Conservatory Of Music. As a member of the legendary group of 1960s Los Angeles session musicians, known as the Wrecking Crew, Pitman played on albums by Sam Cooke, Nancy Sinatra, the Monkees, James Brown and the Beach Boys. He also played on some of history’s most popular songs, including  Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers In The Night,” Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii,” Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” and the Ronette’s “Be My Baby.”

His most recognizable work is perhaps his contribution to the acoustic guitar on “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the opening track on the Beach Boys’ 1966 album, Pet Sounds. For the band, he also played on albums Today! and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!).

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