Larry Knechtel | |
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 Knechtel in 1972 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Lawrence William Knechtel (1940-08-04)August 4, 1940 Bell, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 20, 2009(2009-08-20) (aged 69) Yakima, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation | Session musician |
| Instruments |
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| Formerly of | |
| Website | larryknechtel |
Lawrence William Knechtel (August 4, 1940 – August 20, 2009) was an American keyboard player and bassist who was a member ofthe Wrecking Crew, a collection ofLos Angeles–basedsession musicians who worked with such renowned artists asSimon & 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, andElvis Presley. He also was a member of the 1970s bandBread.
Born inBell, California, in 1940, Knechtel began his musical education withpiano lessons. In 1957, he joined the Los Angeles–basedrock and roll band Kip Tyler and the Flips. In August 1959, he joined instrumentalistDuane 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 withPhil Spector as apianist to help create Spector's famous "Wall of Sound". Knechtel became a prominent member of session musiciansthe Wrecking Crew, performing on many hit songs of the period[1] and earning him entry into theMusicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007. During his time with the Wrecking Crew, he recorded the albumThe In Harmonica, playing harmonica under the name "Larry Nelson", with backing by other Wrecking Crew members.[2]
In 1970, Knechtel won aGrammy Award for his piano work on "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel. He also played the piano onJohnny Rivers' 1972 hit "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu".
Knechtel joined soft rock bandBread in 1971 after the departure ofRobb 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 theharmonica,guitar, andbass, which can be heard on "Mr. Tambourine Man" bythe Byrds, "Stoney End" byBarbra Streisand, "If I Can Dream" byElvis 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 forNancy Sinatra.
During the late 1980s, Knechtel moved toNashville, where he was signed to a solo recording contract. He released two solo albums in quick succession,Mountain Moods (1989)[3] andUrban Gypsy (1990).[4]
In later years, Knechtel lived in semi-retirement inYakima, Washington, until his death. He had, however, worked withrecord producerRick Rubin, contributing keyboards to albums byNeil Diamond,Arlen Roth and theDixie Chicks, touring withElvis Costello and with the Dixie Chicks in support of their Grammy Award-winning albumTaking the Long Way. During this time, Knechtel contributed guest spots on many recordings for dozens of Northwest artists including Wayman Chapman,Ken Stringfellow (The Posies,R.E.M.,Big Star), 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, inYakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Washington, at the age of 69 of an apparentheart attack.[5]
In 2007, Knechtel, along with the other members ofthe Wrecking Crew, was inducted into theMusicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.[6]
• Beat & Soul ( Warner Brothers ,1965)
Withthe Byrds
With the We Three Trio
WithBarbra Streisand
Withthe Beach Boys
WithThe Doors
WithElvis Presley
WithCher
Withthe Dameans
WithSolomon Burke
WithEmitt Rhodes
WithElvis Costello
WithPaul Simon
WithChet Baker
WithDave Mason
WithNancy Sinatra
WithAlbert Hammond
WithHoward Roberts
WithCass Elliott
WithEvie Sands
WithThelma Houston
WithGlen Campbell
WithJerry Garcia
WithPeter Allen
WithHarry Nilsson
WithDan Hill
WithBarry Mann
WithLalo Schifrin
WithRoy Orbison
WithJimmy Webb
WithJosé Feliciano
WithJackie DeShannon
WithBrian Cadd
WithRon Davies
WithBobby Darin
WithArt Garfunkel
WithStephen Bishop
WithJackie Lomax
WithBilly Joel
WithBarry McGuire
WithPaul Young
WithDolly Parton
WithAl Kooper
WithJohnny Rivers
WithJohn Denver
WithChet Atkins
WithHelen Reddy
WithJoan Baez
WithArlen Roth
WithNeil Diamond
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| National | |
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| People | |
| Other | |
