Larry Knechtel


Lawrence William Knechtel was an American keyboard player and bassist who was a member of The [Wrecking Crew (music)|the Wrecking Crew], a collection of Los Angeles–based session musicians who worked with such renowned artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees, the Partridge Family, Billy Joel, the Doors, the Byrds, the Grass Roots, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Presley. He also was a member of the 1970s band Bread.

Biography

Born in Bell, California, in 1940, Knechtel began his musical education with piano lessons. In 1957, he joined the Los Angeles–based rock and roll band Kip Tyler and the Flips. 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. During his time with the Wrecking Crew, he recorded the album The In Harmonica, playing harmonica under the name "Larry Nelson", with backing by other Wrecking Crew members.
In 1970, Knechtel won a Grammy Award for his piano work on "Bridge over [Troubled Water (song)|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 joined soft rock band Bread in 1971 after the departure of Robb Royer and remained with the band until their split in 1973. He rejoined the band for subsequent comebacks and reunions.
Knechtel was proficient on other musical instruments, notably the harmonica, guitar, and bass, which can be heard on "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds, "Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand, "If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley, and the Doors' debut album. In 1971, he joined the band Bread, where his contributions included bass, keyboards, and the guitar solo on the hit single "The Guitar Man". He also played on sessions for Nancy Sinatra.
During the late 1980s, Knechtel moved to Nashville, where he was signed to a solo recording contract. He released two solo albums in quick succession, Mountain Moods and Urban Gypsy.
In later years, Knechtel lived in semi-retirement in Yakima, Washington, until his death. He had, however, worked with record producer Rick Rubin, contributing keyboards to albums by Neil Diamond, Arlen Roth and the Dixie Chicks, touring with Elvis Costello and with the Dixie Chicks in support of their Grammy Award-winning album Taking the Long Way. During this time, Knechtel contributed guest spots on many recordings for dozens of Northwest artists including Wayman Chapman, Ken Stringfellow, Quakers On Probation, Dimestore Mystery, Elba, Animals at Night, Zera Marvel, Colin Spring, Lesley Rostron & Lovejunkie, and his son, Lonnie Knechtel.
Knechtel died on August 20, 2009, in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Washington, at the age of 69 of an apparent heart attack.

Awards and recognition

In 2007, Knechtel, along with the other members of the Wrecking Crew, was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

Discography

Solo discography

  • The In Harmonica
  • Mountain Moods
  • ''Urban Gypsy''

Session work

With 'The Everly Brothers
• Beat & Soul
With the ByrdsMr. Tambourine Man "Glory, Glory" on the album Byrdmaniax
With the We Three TrioThe We Three Trio
With Barbra StreisandStoney End Barbra Joan Streisand
With the Beach BoysPet Sounds
With The Doorsthe Doors
With Elvis PresleyElvis Presley
With CherStars
With the DameansWalk To That Gloryland
With Simon & GarfunkelSounds of Silence Bookends Bridge over Troubled Water
With Solomon BurkeElectronic Magnetism
With the Mamas & the PapasDeliver
With Emitt RhodesThe American Dreams
With Elvis CostelloMighty Like a Rose Kojak Variety
With Paul SimonPaul Simon
With Chet BakerBlood, Chet and Tears
With Dave MasonAlone Together
With Nancy SinatraSugar
With Albert HammondAlbert Hammond
With Howard RobertsAntelope Freeway
With Cass ElliottDream a Little Dream Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama
With Evie SandsAny Way That You Want Me
With Thelma HoustonSunshower I've Got the [Music in Me (album)|I've Got the Music in Me]
With Glen CampbellReunion: The Songs of Jimmy Webb Unconditional Love
With Jerry GarciaReflections
With Peter AllenI Could Have Been a Sailor
With Harry NilssonHarry
With Dan HillIf Dreams Had Wings
With Barry MannSurvivor
With Lalo SchifrinRock Requiem
With Roy OrbisonKing of Hearts
With Jimmy WebbEl Mirage
With José Feliciano10 to 23 Compartments
With Jackie DeShannonNew Arrangement
With Brian CaddYesterdaydreams
With Ron DaviesSilent Song Through the Land
With Bobby DarinIf I Were a Carpenter
With Art GarfunkelAngel Clare Fate for Breakfast Scissors Cut
With Stephen BishopCareless
With David Clayton-ThomasDavid Clayton-Thomas
With Jackie LomaxIs This What You Want?
With Billy JoelCold Spring Harbor Streetlife Serenade
With Barry McGuireSeeds Lighten Up
With Paul YoungThe Crossing
With Dolly Parton9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
With Al KooperEasy Does It
With Johnny RiversChanges Whisky Á Go-Go Revisited Rewind Realization Slim Slo Slider Home Grown L.A. Reggae Blue Suede Shoes New Lovers and Old Friends Wild Night Not a Through Street
With John DenverThe Flower That Shattered the Stone
With Chet AtkinsRead My Licks
With Helen ReddyHelen Reddy
With Joan BaezDiamonds & Rust Gulf Winds Blowin' Away
With Arlen Roth Toolin' Around
With Neil DiamondTap Root Manuscript Beautiful Noise Lovescape