* Tommy Tedesco; Preeminent Studio Guitarist

Tommy Tedesco, 67, known as the king of studio musicians. Guitar Player magazine, for which Tedesco wrote a regular column, once rated him “in all probability the most recorded guitarist in history.” His playing was heard on hundreds of hit songs, including records by the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald and on dozens of movies and television shows for more than 35 years. Tedesco’s guitar solo on the “Bonanza” television series theme song is considered his finest and perhaps best-known work. He was also the guitarist on theme songs for television’s “MASH,” “Batman” and “Green Acres.” His soundtracks for motion pictures included “The Deer Hunter,” “The Godfather” and “Field of Dreams.” Born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Tedesco started playing guitar at the age of 6 and was performing in nightclubs by 11. On Monday in Northridge of lung cancer.