“Wrecking Crew” Credits Musicians

For the audiences that appreciate the artists, this film opens their eyes about the music industry. For Denny Tedesco, this film was a personal project about his father.

Denny Tedesco at AES 2012

Denny Tedesco always wanted to make a documentary in the ’80’s about his father, Tommy Tedesco. He actually made a documentary just out of college. “It was horrible but he gave me long footage with Frank Zappa, Henry Mancini, and a lot of other famous people. That was more of a school project” – recalled Denny. But when his father got sick in 1996 he knew that he did not have a choice but jump on it. “He was diagnosed with cancer and I was running against time” . He brought friends and filmmakers together and they started filming. Although at this time Denny was a filmmaker, he never was a director and never made a documentary. But he has something that was more important, his heart was in that story, and this film was his emotional project. “I knew the story like anyone else. I knew what makes musicians good, bad and ugly. I know their feelings”.

Did you remember the musicians who are portrayed in “Wrecking Crew” – I asked. “No, not at all. My mom knew their names, because she picked up the phone calls. My father was going to work like everybody else” – he recalled. There was some footage that Denny had, but he made his father actively involved in the project. Tommy told Denny who to call to set up the Roundtable. “But he never saw the movie anyway and that is my biggest disappointment. But I know he is always with me, he is somewhere”.

Although this is a movie about his father, the reason that he made the movie was the lack of recognition for all those wonderful musicians whose names were hidden from the public eye. The Wrecking Crew gives a long list of credit for all the musicians involved in the story. “Before that, no one ever acknowledged them, this film is the first time they are getting credit”. I asked him if there something can be done so the musicians in the future will get the credit for their work. He hopes so but that is “up to people. People have to ask because no one is going to make an effort”. That why he wants to make DVD where all the names will be listed, all the credits for musicians, all songs, and who was on it. The he shares the same hope regarding the downloading from internet, that the files will be accompanied with a pdf file that lists the credits for all musicians. I will always credit them” – he made as a closing remark.

Q&A after The Wrecking Crew Screening

Denny went with his movie to Israel, Spain, Ireland and watched the reaction of the audience. He was surprised that people around the world recognized the songs. “I came to the conclusion that this is America’s greatest export: music and films. There is no controversy in music. People love it or hate it.”  Information about screenings and extra scenes from the film can be found at www.wreckingcrewfilm.com

Lidia Paulinska-Thompson