Larry Knechtel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Larry Knechtel
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Knechtel in 1972
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lawrence William Knechtel |
| Born | August 4, 1940 Bell, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 20, 2009 (aged 69) Yakima, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Session musician |
| Instruments | |
Lawrence William Knechtel (born August 4, 1940 – died August 20, 2009) was a talented American musician. He played keyboards and bass guitar. Larry was part of a famous group of studio musicians called The Wrecking Crew. These musicians helped create hit songs for many big artists. Some of these artists include Simon & Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, Billy Joel, the Doors, and Elvis Presley. Larry Knechtel was also a member of the popular 1970s band Bread.
Contents
Larry Knechtel's Early Life and Career
Larry Knechtel was born in Bell, California, in 1940. He started learning music by taking piano lessons. In 1957, he joined a rock and roll band in Los Angeles called Kip Tyler and the Flips.
In 1959, Larry became a member of Duane Eddy's band, the Rebels. After touring with them for four years, he started working as a session musician in Los Angeles. A session musician is someone who plays instruments on recordings for other artists. They are often not official band members.
Larry worked with famous music producer Phil Spector. He played piano to help create Spector's special "Wall of Sound". This was a recording technique that made music sound very full and grand.
Joining The Wrecking Crew
Larry Knechtel became a key member of The Wrecking Crew. This group of studio musicians played on many hit songs during the 1960s and 1970s. Their work helped shape the sound of popular music. Because of his amazing contributions, Larry was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007.
While with the Wrecking Crew, Larry recorded an album called The In Harmonica. On this album, he played the harmonica under the name "Larry Nelson". Other members of the Wrecking Crew played with him.
Grammy Award and Other Projects
In 1970, Larry Knechtel won a Grammy Award. He won it for his piano playing on the famous song "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel. He also played piano on Johnny Rivers' 1972 hit song "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu".
Larry was skilled at playing many instruments. He played the harmonica, guitar, and bass. You can hear his bass playing on "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds. He also played on "Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand and "If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley. Larry also contributed to The Doors' first album.
Joining the Band Bread
In 1971, Larry Knechtel joined the soft rock band Bread. He played bass, keyboards, and even the guitar solo on their hit song "The Guitar Man". He stayed with Bread until they broke up in 1973. He later rejoined the band for their reunion tours.
Later Years and Legacy
In the late 1980s, Larry moved to Nashville. He released two solo albums there: Mountain Moods (1989) and Urban Gypsy (1990).
Later in his life, Larry lived in Yakima, Washington. He still worked on music projects, even though he was semi-retired. He played keyboards for albums by artists like Neil Diamond and the Dixie Chicks. He also toured with the Dixie Chicks for their Grammy-winning album Taking the Long Way.
Larry Knechtel passed away on August 20, 2009, in Yakima, Washington. He was 69 years old.
Awards and Recognition
In 2007, Larry Knechtel and the other members of The Wrecking Crew were honored. They were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
Discography
Solo Albums
- The In Harmonica (1965, released under the name Larry Nelson)
- Mountain Moods (1989)
- Urban Gypsy (1990)
Session Work (Selected)
Larry Knechtel played on many albums for other artists. Here are some of the most well-known:
- With The Everly Brothers
- Beat & Soul (1965)
- With the Byrds
- Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
- With Barbra Streisand
- Stoney End (1971)
- With the Beach Boys
- Pet Sounds (1966)
- With The Doors
- The Doors (1967)
- With Elvis Presley
- Elvis Presley (1968)
- With Cher
- Stars (1975)
- With Simon & Garfunkel
- Sounds of Silence (1966)
- Bookends (1968)
- Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)
- With the Mamas and the Papas
- Deliver (1967)
- With Elvis Costello
- Mighty Like a Rose (1991)
- With Paul Simon
- Paul Simon (1972)
- With Nancy Sinatra
- Sugar (1966)
- With Cass Elliott
- Dream a Little Dream (1968)
- With Billy Joel
- Cold Spring Harbor (1971)
- With Dolly Parton
- 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980)
- With Johnny Rivers
- L.A. Reggae (1972)
- With Neil Diamond
- Tap Root Manuscript (1970)
- 12 Songs (2005)
See also
In Spanish: Larry Knechtel para niños
