Tommy Morgan, harmonica player for ‘Dances with Wolves’ and hundreds of other films and TV shows, dies at 89

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Tommy Morgan, a harmonica player who recorded soundtracks for more than 600 films, including “Dances With Wolves,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Cool Hand Luke” has died. He was 89.

According to Deadline, Morgan died on June 23, but details on his death were not immediately available.

Since his first recording, in September 1950, it’s estimated that he participated in more than 7,000 sessions, including films, television shows, recording with other artists, and even a solo performance on the 2000 Academy Awards television broadcast — statistics that suggest that his harmonica playing has been heard by more people than any other player in history, according to his website.

Among the highlights of his work on television, Morgan played on the Emmy-winning score for “Roots” and its sequel, “Roots: The Next Generations,” as well as “The Simpsons,” “The Dukes of Hazard” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”

Throughout his decades-long career, he performed in over 30 countries, playing with music powerhouses such as Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton-John, Dolly Parton and James Taylor.

He also played harmonica on the 1966 Beach Boys hit “Good Vibrations.”

According to his autobiography, ”You Made How Much for Doing What?” released earlier this year, his most notable arranging credit was as the arranger of the strings on the Johnny Cash album “Songs of the True West,” released in 1965.

In August 2001, Morgan received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica.