‘The Wrecking Crew’ documentary makes broadcast debut on Arizona PBS

“The Wrecking Crew,” an award-winning documentary about some of the most influential musicians of the 1960s and 1970s, makes its broadcast premiere on Arizona PBS.

The film looks back on a group of Los Angeles studio musicians who performed with The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, and Simon and Garfunkel, and played a role on the Grammy-winning Record of the Year for six consecutive years.

“If the history of rock music means anything to you, you know the individuals in question could only be the Wrecking Crew,” said Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan. “Seeing this film makes it clear what its members accomplished in their prime.”

Denny Tedesco, son of Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco, began production on the documentary in 1996. Tedesco spent years interviewing musicians, sound engineers and producers associated with the Wrecking Crew.

The film first premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in 2008, where it was well-received by critics. The theatrical release was put on hold due to the $700,000 music licensing fees attached to the film, due to its use of hits such as, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by the Beach Boys, and “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas & The Papas. Funds were partially raised through online crowdfunding, where 4,245 people contributed more than $300,000.

“The Wrecking Crew” received a limited theatrical release in 2015, and makes its broadcast television debut on Arizona PBS. The film will air on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.

The documentary has been nominated for five awards, including “Best Documentary” by the San Diego Film Critics Society and “Best Edited Documentary – Feature” by the American Cinema Editors. “The Wrecking Crew” was the winner of “Best Music Supervision for a Documentary” by the Guild of Music Supervisors in 2016. Get your own copy of the film and the companion book and CD here.

Other upcoming broadcasts for Thanksgiving weekend include “Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars,” “Eight Days a Week,” the story of the Beatles’ touring years, and “Kush,” a look at the life and career of former Arizona State University head football coach Frank Kush.

Arizona PBS is one of the country’s largest public television stations, reaching 1.9 million households each week on four digital channels and a website. The station has focused on fostering lifelong learning through quality programming, in-depth news and public affairs and critical educational outreach services. Arizona PBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University, based at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.