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07/08/2024 10:37 am
From a Facebook page.
Born on, August 4, 1940 in Bell, California, keyboard and bass player Larry Knechtel, a member of The Wrecking Crew session players and later in the soft-rock band Bread. Knechtel worked with such artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Beach Boys, (Pet Sounds), Mamas & the Papas, The Monkees, The Partridge Family, The Doors, Jerry Garcia, Elvis Presley, and as a member of the 1970s band Bread. Knetchel played the piano on Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as well as the iconic bass note slide in The Byrds' recording of "Mr. Tambourine Man". He also played bass on several Doors sessions including on their debut album. In 1971, he joined the band Bread, where his contributions include the guitar solo on the hit single "The Guitar Man". He also played on sessions for Nancy Sinatra.
In August 1959, he joined instrumentalist Duane Eddy as a member of his band the Rebels. After four years on the road with the band, and continuing to work with Eddy in the recording studio, Knechtel became part of the Los Angeles session musician scene, working with Phil Spector as a pianist to help create Spector's famous "Wall of Sound". Knechtel became a prominent member of session musicians the Wrecking Crew, performing on many hit songs of the period and earning him entry into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007. In 1970 Knechtel won a Grammy Award for his piano work on "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel. He also played the piano on Johnny Rivers' 1972 hit "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu".
Knechtel passed away August 20, 2009 at the age of 69 of an apparent heart attack.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
07/08/2024 10:47 am
Used to love the band "Bread". Larry was a versatile instrumentalist. Wikipedia says, Larry Knechtel replaced Bread's Royer in 1971, playing keyboards, bass guitar, guitar, and harmonica.
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
07/08/2024 10:59 am
Great info John, thanks.
May I add.... for those who aren't familiar with "The Wrecking Crew," I would suggest reading about them or watching one the several available comprehensive documentaries. If you're a Baby Boomer or Generation X-er you've no doubt heard hundreds of pop songs & Billboard hits in which The Wrecking Crew were in fact the studio musicians, not the actual band on the label.
"The Swampers," another extremely talented group of musicians from Muscle Shoals Alabama, also makes for interesting reading!
07/08/2024 12:39 pm
An extremely talented musician and among other musical achievements, a member of both the Wrecking Crew and Bread. I still have my LP of the first Bread album and it is a classic.
08/08/2024 1:27 am
some nice memories there, thanks John
08/08/2024 5:02 am
After reading his musical history, I am sure I have and still do, spend many hours enjoying his music.
Jack Dodds and Tony Perrone reacted