Tommy Tedesco: Marketing Lessons From An Unsung Guitar Hero of The Wrecking Crew!

byFrankB-1

6.6K followers

1 year ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Although you may not know the name Tommy Tedesco, you've almost certainly heard his guitar playing on many of your favorite songs.

Tommy was described by Guitar Player magazine as the most recorded guitarist in history, having played on thousands of recordings, many of which were top-20 hits! I used to read his "Studio Guitar" column that he published each month in Guitar Player, which gave me an awesome look at what he did on a daily basis!

Tommy Tedesco and Carol Kaye

On this anniversary of Tommy Tedesco's passing (November 10, 1997), let's take a closer look at why he was such a legend and what online marketers can learn from his extraordinary career.

The Wrecking Crew: Secret Heroes Of The Music Industry

Tommy was part of "The Wrecking Crew," a group of incredibly talented studio musicians who played on countless records during the '60s and '70s.

It was like a secret team of music superheroes, capable of playing anything at a moment's notice, with little to no rehearsal. They played on hundreds of hit songs that defined the sound of an era. Tommy Tedesco was at the heart of it all, known for his skill, professionalism, and his ability to nail the perfect part in just one take.

Tommy contributed to everything from TV theme songs to blockbuster movie soundtracks. His guitar was heard everywhere. One day he might be playing a soulful ballad, the next, shredding on a rock track or delivering smooth Latin grooves. He was like the Swiss Army knife of the guitar world, versatile, reliable, and always on point!

Though his contributions often went unnoticed by the public, anyone who listened to music during the '60s, '70s, or '80s likely fell in love with his guitar work. Tommy's playing quietly yet powerfully shaped the role of the guitar in popular music!

Guitars, Amps, And Effects: The Gear Tommy Used

(Courtesy of me and ChatGPT - for all you WA Gearheads! Lol 😎)

Tommy had an extensive array of equipment that was both versatile and reliable. To ensure he had everything he needed for each performance, he utilized a professional transport company to deliver his equipment before he arrived at each gig.

• Guitars:
• • Gibson ES-335: Tommy's main guitar, known for its warm tone and versatility. Its semi-hollow body provided a rich sound with minimal feedback.
  • Fender Telecaster: A bright, punchy sound ideal for country and pop tracks, perfect for cutting through the mix.
  • Nylon-String Classical Guitar: Tommy's secret weapon, adding a smooth, warm sound to Latin and ballad tracks.
  • Danelectro Electric Sitar: Used for an exotic, psychedelic touch, perfect for pop and rock songs needing something different.
  • Fender Stratocaster: Versatile, ideal for classic rock and blues tracks with a range from mellow to sharp and biting.
  • Gibson Les Paul: Provided a thick, sustained tone, perfect for heavier rock tracks.
  • Rickenbacker 360: Delivered a bright, chiming tone for pop and folk rock.
  • Guild Starfire: Offered a rich, warm semi-hollow sound, great for jazz and blues.
  • Fender Jaguar: Distinctive tone, used for surf rock and unique pop tracks.
  • Gretsch Country Gentleman: Occasionally used for a classic rockabilly or country feel, adding a twangy yet rich sound.
• Amps:
• • Fender Deluxe Reverb: Clean and versatile, suitable for nearly any session.
  • Fender Twin Reverb: Louder, punchier, perfect for situations requiring more volume.
  • Gibson GA-30: Provided a warmer, intimate sound, great for jazz and blues.
  • Ampeg B-15: Primarily a bass amp, but Tommy used it for a thick, deep tone.
  • Vox AC30: Added a bright, chimey tone with a distinct British flavor.
  • Marshall JTM45: Occasionally used for heavier rock tracks that needed extra power.
  • Silvertone 1484: Added a gritty, lo-fi character for unique textures.
• Effects:
• • Maestro Fuzz Tone: Added gritty distortion to rock tracks for an edge.
  • Tape Echo Unit: Created depth and space in solos.
  • Volume Pedal: Provided smooth swells and dynamic control.
  • Wah Pedal: Added an expressive, vocal-like quality, used sparingly for impact.
  • Compression Pedal: Evened out dynamics and added sustain.
  • Tremolo Pedal: Added rhythmic modulation, perfect for surf and classic rock.
  • Chorus Pedal: Produced a lush, shimmering effect for clean tones.
  • Octave Pedal: Added an octave below or above, enhancing the fullness of the sound.
  • Phaser Pedal: Created a sweeping, swirling effect to add movement to rhythms.
  • Flanger Pedal: Gave a jet-like effect, adding drama to certain parts.

Famous Songs Tommy Played On

(Courtesy of ChatGPT)

You might not recognize Tommy's name, but you've definitely heard his playing. Here are some iconic songs and themes he played guitar on. This is by no means a complete list, just a short sampling of hits.

• The Beach Boys - "Good Vibrations"
• The Mamas & The Papas - "California Dreamin'"
• Frank Sinatra - "Strangers in the Night"
• The Monkees - "Last Train to Clarksville"
• Elvis Presley - "A Little Less Conversation"
• Nancy Sinatra - "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
• The Batman TV Theme
• The Mission: Impossible Theme
• The Supremes - "Love Child"
• Barbra Streisand - "The Way We Were"
• The Everly Brothers - "Cathy's Clown"
• The Fifth Dimension - "Up, Up and Away"
• The Tijuana Brass - "A Taste of Honey"
• The Partridge Family - "I Think I Love You"
• Sam Cooke - "Twistin' the Night Away"
• Simon & Garfunkel - "Mrs. Robinson"
• Ricky Nelson - "Travelin' Man"
• Sonny & Cher - "The Beat Goes On"
• The Sandpipers - "Guantanamera"
• Cher - "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"
• Glen Campbell - "Wichita Lineman"
• The Byrds - "Mr. Tambourine Man"
• The Carpenters - "We've Only Just Begun"
• Frank Zappa - Various tracks on "Lumpy Gravy"
• TV Theme Songs - "Green Acres", "Bonanza", "Hawaii Five-O"
• Dean Martin - "Everybody Loves Somebody"
• The Monkees - "Pleasant Valley Sunday"
• Doris Day - "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)"
• Johnny Mathis - "Chances Are"
• Petula Clark - "Downtown"
• Harry Nilsson - "Everybody's Talkin'"
• Neil Diamond - "Cracklin' Rosie"
• Bobby Darin - "Splish Splash"
• Gary Lewis & the Playboys - "This Diamond Ring"
• Dusty Springfield - "Son of a Preacher Man"
• Paul Revere & the Raiders - "Kicks"
• Nat King Cole - "Ramblin' Rose"
• The Association - "Windy"
• Other TV Themes - "The Twilight Zone", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Gilligan's Island"

Each of these songs has a guitar part that perfectly suits the track, which was Tommy's gift. He always knew what the music needed and delivered it skillfully!

What Online Marketers Can Learn From Tommy Tedesco

What can a guitar player from the '60s teach online marketers today? Quite a lot, actually. Tommy's career shows us the value of versatility, adaptability, and always putting the project's needs first, lessons that anyone in marketing can benefit from.

Tommy could play anything - jazz, rock, Latin, pop, or classical. He never limited himself to one style. For marketers, this means staying adaptable. Master different strategies, learn multiple platforms, and be ready to pivot when needed.

Right now, Google is virtually ignoring the "little guy" with a small branding footprint and low domain authority, so look for other platforms to help acquire traffic, like Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.

Tommy always played what the song needed - nothing more, nothing less. He didn’t show off; he served the music. Marketers should do the same: focus on what your audience needs. Avoid overcomplicating things or using unnecessary tricks - deliver what will resonate and solve problems.

Answering your reader's question clearly and concisely is much more valuable in online marketing than spending time on fancy and unnecessary website graphics.

Producers knew they could count on Tommy to show up, plug in, and nail his part - usually on the first try. Being reliable and consistent builds trust, whether you’re a musician or a marketer. People want to work with those they can rely on.

Tommy was not as famous as Clapton or Hendrix, but his impact on the music industry was enormous because he was versatile, reliable, and always put the music first - qualities every online marketer can learn from!

Posting articles consistently and answering comments reliability will help your marketing effort thrive!

Tell Me What You Think

Have you ever heard of Tommy prior to today?

Did you realize he played on some of the classic tracks above?

Let me know in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

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