Gary Coleman is an American vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer who was part of The Wrecking Crew. A longtime studio musician who recorded with Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Steely Dan, and The Beach Boys as well as contributions to the soundtrack of the musical Hair and Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge over Troubled Water album.^[1] He now works as a therapist in Los Angeles. His work with the collective led to participating in the 2008 documentary film titled The Wrecking Crew.

Biography

Coleman was born in Jeanette, Pennsylvania in 1936 and moved to California in 1947. He attended high school in Alhambra. After graduating, Coleman entered the Army where he spent a year in Germany in the 5th Infantry Division Band. After returning to the United States with that band, he served a few more months and was given a discharge to attend Los Angeles City College. Coleman transferred to Cal State Los Angeles where he majored in Music Education and Psychology. While teaching music in the public schools for five years, Coleman played in the L.A. Percussion Ensemble, and performed with chamber ensembles in the Monday Evening Concert Series. In 1965, Coleman was given the opportunity through Carol Kaye to enter the recording industry as a percussionist on some projects at Capitol Records. He retired from teaching and continued doing record dates until the late seventies. In the mid-1970s Coleman began a transition into television work, primarily with Mike Post, which lasted until 1991. Coleman continued his studio career working through the nineties on television and films, primarily with Jerry Goldsmith. Coleman's last few sessions were on the series Family Guy^[2] with Walter Murphy. He formally retired from session work in 2002.^[3]

Coleman worked extensively as a studio musician and was part of The Wrecking Crew, performing on the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (1966), Frank Sinatra's That's Life (1966), the Jackson 5's ABC (1970), John Lennon's "Stand by Me" (1975), Tom Waits' Nighthawks at the Diner (1975), and Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" (1976).^[4]

His children Lisa Coleman (of Prince's band The Revolution, and later of Wendy & Lisa), Daoud and Cole Ynda all worked as professional musicians at some point in their careers.

Coleman now works as a psychotherapist.

Discography

• "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" – Nancy Sinatra (1965)
• "Tainted Love" – Gloria Jones (1965)
• "Spanish Eyes" – Al Martino (1965)
• Quincy's Got a Brand New Bag – Quincy Jones (1965)
• Whipped Cream & Other Delights – Herb Alpert (1965)
• "Unchained Melody" – The Righteous Brothers (1965)
• I Hear a Symphony – The Supremes (1966)
• Chér – Cher (1966)
• Ray's Moods – Ray Charles (1966)
• Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys (1966)
• That's Life – Frank Sinatra (1966)
• "It Must Be Him" – Vikki Carr (1967)
• "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" – The Righteous Brothers (1967)
• "The Beat Goes On" – Sonny & Cher (1967)
• More of the Monkees – The Monkees (1967)
• Music from Mission: Impossible – Lalo Schifrin (1967)
• "Wichita Lineman" – Glen Campbell (1968)
• Accent on Africa – Cannonball Adderley (1968)
• Song of Innocence – David Axelrod (1968)
• More Mission: Impossible – Lalo Schifrin (1968)
• "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" – Andy Williams (1968)
• Mannix – Lalo Schifrin (1969)
• Songs of Experience – David Axelrod (1969)
• ABC – The Jackson 5 (1970)
• Pride – David Axelrod (1970)
• Rock Messiah – David Axelrod (1971)
• Cass Elliot – Cass Elliot (1972)
• Cameo – Dusty Springfield (1973)
• "The Way We Were" – Barbra Streisand (1973)
• "Stand by Me" – John Lennon (1975)
• Nighthawks at the Diner – Tom Waits (1975)
• "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" – Barbra Streisand (1976)

References