Bruce Gary, 55; the Knack’s Drummer, Session Player, Producer

Bruce Gary, 55, original drummer for the Knack who helped create the distinctive sound of their 1979 hit “My Sharona” and a longtime session musician in Los Angeles, died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Tuesday at Tarzana Regional Medical Center, his family said.

Gary’s three-decade career as a drummer and producer included work with a who’s who of rock ‘n’ roll performers, including George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart, Cream’s Jack Bruce and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger.

Gary also worked with blues masters Albert Collins and Albert King and co-produced a series of posthumous releases from Jimi Hendrix, including the “Blues” compilation.

Gary was born in Burbank on April 7, 1951, and learned to play the drums at age 6. He attended Taft High in Woodland Hills before dropping out to make a living as a professional drummer.

The Knack was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 and only a few months later hit it big with “My Sharona.”

The group was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone even before their debut album “Get the Knack” was released.

That record sold 6 million copies, but the group disbanded after releasing a third album. They reunited briefly in 1986, but Gary left the band in 1991.