Al Hendrickson

May 10, 1920 - July 19, 2007 A memorial service for Al Hendrickson, 87, of North Bend OR, will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 26, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2250 16th Street in North Bend. The Rev. Karl Schray will officiate. Al was born on May 10, 1920, in Eastland, Texas. He died July 19, 2007, in North Bend. In 1941, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, playing with their band led by Rudy Vallee. He later became recognized as a premier jazz guitarist while working with the Artie Shaw band and Gramercy Five. He later played with the Benny Goodman band and sextet. Known for his outstanding rhythm and solo playing, he became sought after by leading band leaders. He performed with Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Andre Previn, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Nat Cole, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong. For more than 40 years he was known as a first-call guitarist in Hollywood. He played on more than 15,000 record dates and more then 5,000 film scores including: 'The Wild Bunch', 'Cleopatra,' 'The Music Man', 'High Plains Drifter', 'The Turning Point', 'Some Like It Hot', 'Blazing Saddles' and 'West Side Story.' He worked on hundreds of television show soundtracks, which made him one of the most often-heard musicians in history. He played the guitar licks on 'Bonanza', 'MASH', 'Mission Impossible' and several others. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by several cousins, nieces, a nephew and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary Patricia 'Patti' Hendrickson. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Coos County, Unit 31, West Sixth Street, Medford, OR 97501. Arrangements are under the direction of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440. Sign the guestbook at http://www.theworldlink.com. Published in The World from 7/24/2007 - 7/25/2007.

08/07/07 Submitted by: A. Reid cuttercoasty@msn.com

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