This Date in Rock Music History: March 5

1955:  Johnny Ace had the top R&B song for the fourth week with "Pledging My Love".

1957:  Disc jockey Alan Freed was a guest on To Tell the Truth on CBS-TV.
1959:  Bobby Darin recorded "Dream Lover".

Lyle Ritz Has Died

Lyle Ritz, ukelele player and bassist with the legendary studio backing group The Wrecking Crew, died yesterday in Portland, Oregon.


Ritz compiled over 5,000 credits including "Good Vibrations" for the Beach Boys, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by the Righteous Brothers and "A Taste Of Honey" for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.

Ritz also played for Linda Ronstadt, the Monkees, Sonny & Cher and Dean Martin and played bass on television soundtracks including The Rockford Files and Kojak.

Jim Fuller Has Died

Jim Fuller (front, above), lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the Surfaris, died yesterday in his hometown of Monrovia, California.



Fuller's guitar is featured on the group's biggest hit, a #2 smash in 1963.