One of the unsung heroes of popular American music has died.

Al Caiola, 96, passed away in an Allendale, New Jersey nursing home last night. An important sessions musician in the 1950's and 60's, Al played guitar for Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Glen Campbell, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Barbara Steisand and Perry Como. His most notable works were on Neal Sedaka's "Calendar Girl", Bobby Darin's "Mac the Knife" and "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel. A long time resident of Oradell, along with Les Paul of Mahwah, Bucky Pizzarelli of Saddle River, Ronnie Isley of Englewood and Lou Pallo, Al helped make Bergen County the "Jersey Mafia" mecca for the world's great guitarists before the great English players of the late 1960's like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, George Harrison, Keith Richard and Pete Townshend. Everyone who grew up in the Sixties will remember his own big hits, the theme song for the TV series, "Bonanza" and the title song of the great Western, "The Magnificent Seven."

My own Jersey guitar hero Ronnie James DeRenzo has an uncle Lee who is based on my own uncle who played guitar with all these Jersey greats.

Al will be missed. My condolences to his family.