Larry Knechtel, a one-time collaborator of Elvis Presley's and an accomplished sideman in both the rock and country worlds, died Thursday, Aug. 20 at the age of 69. Knechtel, who won a 1970 Grammy award for his arrangement of Simon and Garfunkel's enduring 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' succumbed to an apparent heart attack, according to a report by his local newspaper, the Yakima Herald Republic. As a session keyboardist and bassist, Knechtel performed with a wide array of artists like the Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, the Doors, Billy Joel, Hank Williams, Jr., Randy Newman and Ray Charles. A member of 1970s soft rock giants Bread, Knechtel was cited early on for helping Phil Spector create his legendary 'Wall of Sound.' He remained active up until his passing, performing on the Dixie Chicks' 2006 Grammy-winning album, 'Taking the Long Way'.
Knechtel got his start as a member of the Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles studio players that included future stars like Glen Campbell and Leon Russell and session drummer Hal Blaine. "It just snowballed. I was in the right place at the right time," Knechtel told the Herald Republic in 2004, the year after he relocated to Yakima . "It was a lot of fun. We were all young. I was making big money and hearing myself on the radio."
A posting on his official website reads, "Apart from being a brilliant musician, Larry was loved by many for his character -- honest, humble, hard-working and charismatic. He was a loving and devoted father and husband. Larry preferred a simple rural lifestyle and valued the quality of life. Those close to him knew Larry as a student of western lore and history, an outdoorsman, a farmer and a good neighbor. We will miss him dearly."
Knechtel, who frequently performed with bluesman Wayman Chapman, made his last appearance a week before his death as part of Yakima's Summer Concert Series in Franklin Park . Chapman told the Herald Republic that Knechtel, who died at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital , appeared to be in good health and recently returned from a trip to with his wife, Vickie, and his grandson.
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
You handsome boyat 8-25-2009
Sounds like quite a career. There are studio musicians who's riffs we know by heart yet will never hear their names. RIP Dude.
Patrickat 8-25-2009
A humble heart, a warm spirit, a devotion to family and the simplicity of life as God intended. Some things just need more media coverage. Rest in peace Mr. Knechtel, and may the Lord continue to richly bless your family.
CarverHennepinat 8-25-2009
He worked with the Dixie Chicks'........No we know why AOL loves him so much. I though this resume looked good until he spilled $hit all over it by working with the 'Dixie Chicks'.
hamrichard7at 8-25-2009
why do so many people diss the dixie chicks? all they did was voice their opinion of bush, and there was not a single thing they said that wasn't felt by the majority of the people, including me. and don't try to feed me this crap if you love your country you have feel the same for every president. i love my country and served 67/68 in vietnam, i lost some good friends who gave the ultiment so that you would have the right to say what you think, if you follow a man blindly just because of his title we could end up like germany did god forbid! bush was a perfect example of what you don't want leading the church choir let alone the country. GOD BLESS THE USA,SEMPER FI
ghmcrat 8-25-2009
Horsepoop. The majority did NOT agree with Natalie and the Dumpxie Chicks. Witness the immediate falloff of their recording sales. I am not saying anything bad about their music. I am saying they stepped over the line by trying to equate musical popularity with Political expertise. Natalie was and is an airhead.
Chrisat 8-29-2009
Thank you, hamrichard7. My father served in Vietnam as well—Army, though, not Marines—and he shares your perspective. I'm not sure if it was a cry known to him at that time, but from him to you, "hooah!"
It's perfectly fine to attack one's actual opinions—that's as much your right as it is theirs—but attacking the fact that they've chosen to exercise their right to express themselves in the first place? That might very well be your right, but that's NOT what the Framers wanted, and, if my father and hamrichard7 are at all representative, it is not at all what countless servicemen who have been killed or wounded in defense of our country and, more importantly, the ideals for which it stands, would want.
It's a slap to the face of everyone who has made a sacrifice to protect our rights—whether it be the "ultimate sacrifice" that many of our men in uniform and men like Martin Luther King, Jr. have made, or even a sacrifice of time or resources to civil and human rights causes.
I can't—and WOULDN'T—make you, so I'm asking you: please, stop. You're NOT embodying the spirit of the United States with your personal attacks.
vgkflcat 8-25-2009
This is what we call an artist.A man that not only plaid the music he got into the arangements of it.And when you look who he worked with all you can say is "damn this guy was good". Rest well brother. Sorry to here you had to leave so early.
Richie Boyat 8-25-2009
Larry was a true craftsman. He helped define hundreds of tracks that are a part of Pop and Rock Americana. Whether it was early live and recorded work with Johnny Rivers or delicate country riffs, he was the type of instinctive studio artist who cannot be replaced.
ldybug5012at 8-25-2009
I'm so bummed, I didn't know he was playing at Franklin Park, or I'd have gone to see him RIP Larry
hammermitoat 8-25-2009
It sounds like the man had it all. He was talented and never forgot his roots.
RIP.
Spenserat 8-25-2009
Having been in radio for over 30 yrs, I knew of Larry and his work. I have all of Breads albums and Larry also put out a couple of solo cds after they broke up.
He was a very talented man and one who loved his family and friends. He will be missed and we were blessed to hear his talents...
God Bless Larry and prayers to the family.
croxtonfiveat 8-25-2009
Knechtel was a great musician. Too bad he wasted his time on a total loser like Billy Joel.
voice999at 8-25-2009
Loser?
Hey Croxtonfive, how many top 10 hits have you had?
Rickieat 8-25-2009
It wouldn't matter who died,there's always some jerkwad who'll dis them.
rjm63at 8-25-2009
What a " PLUS " We had Him in music. Thank You for your lifes work ....