'Greatest drummer ever' Hal Blaine dies at 90

Hal Blaine, one of the most prolific and influential drummers of his generation, has died at the age of 90, BBC News reports.

Over the course of his career, he played on countless hits by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys and John Lennon, amongst others.

But his most recognisable riff was the "boom-ba-boom-crack" bar that opened The Ronnettes' Be My Baby.

On hearing of his death, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson called him "the greatest drummer ever".

"Hal Blaine was such a great musician and friend that I can't put it into words," Wilson said in a tweet, posting a photo of him and Blaine sitting at a piano.

"Hal taught me a lot, and he had so much to do with our success - he was the greatest drummer ever."

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who played at Blaine's 90th birthday party last month, added: "Godspeed Hal. He gave us all so much. Feeling very blessed to have celebrated his life with him."

"Today I regrettably have to say goodbye to Hal," added Ronettes singer Ronnie Spector on Facebook, thanking him "for the magic he put on all our Ronettes recordings… and so many others throughout his incredible career."