Wildflower Fever
08-22-2009, 05:40 PM
I always think it's a little sad when someone with so many contributions passes without recognition. Session musicians have contributed so much without credit or fanfare...
---------------------------
Larry Knechtel (born Lawrence William Knechtel, August 4, 1940, Bell, California, died August 20, 2009) was a keyboard player and bassist, best known for his work as a session musician with Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds, Smile), The Mamas & the Papas, The Doors, and as a member of the 1970s band, Bread.
Biography
Knechtel's musical education began with piano lessons. In 1957, he joined the Los Angeles based rock and roll band Kip Tyler and the Flips, followed in 1959 by four years with Duane Eddy's touring group, The Rebels. Continuing to work with Eddy in the recording studio, Knechtel became part of the Hollywood session musician scene, working with Phil Spector as a pianist to help create the famous Wall of Sound effect. His most famous piano work is his 1971 Grammy Award winning contribution to "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel.
Like many session musicians, Knechtel is proficient in other instruments, notably the harmonica and also the electric bass guitar (which can be heard on "Mr. Tambourine Man" by The Byrds) and on tracks by The Doors who did not have their own bass guitarist. In 1971, he joined Bread, where his many contributions include the memorable guitar solo on the hit single "The Guitar Man".
Knechtel lived in semi-retirement on his large farm property in Maple Falls, Washington until his death. He had, however, worked with record producer Rick Rubin, contributing with the keyboards to albums by Neil Diamond and the Dixie Chicks, and touring with the Dixie Chicks in support of their Grammy Award winning album Taking the Long Way. Prior to Washington, Knechtel previously lived in Bakersfield, California on Monterey Street.
Knechtel died on August 20, 2009, in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Washington.[1]
http://www.larryknechtel.com/LarryKnechtel/LK_2.JPG
---------------------------
Larry Knechtel (born Lawrence William Knechtel, August 4, 1940, Bell, California, died August 20, 2009) was a keyboard player and bassist, best known for his work as a session musician with Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds, Smile), The Mamas & the Papas, The Doors, and as a member of the 1970s band, Bread.
Biography
Knechtel's musical education began with piano lessons. In 1957, he joined the Los Angeles based rock and roll band Kip Tyler and the Flips, followed in 1959 by four years with Duane Eddy's touring group, The Rebels. Continuing to work with Eddy in the recording studio, Knechtel became part of the Hollywood session musician scene, working with Phil Spector as a pianist to help create the famous Wall of Sound effect. His most famous piano work is his 1971 Grammy Award winning contribution to "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel.
Like many session musicians, Knechtel is proficient in other instruments, notably the harmonica and also the electric bass guitar (which can be heard on "Mr. Tambourine Man" by The Byrds) and on tracks by The Doors who did not have their own bass guitarist. In 1971, he joined Bread, where his many contributions include the memorable guitar solo on the hit single "The Guitar Man".
Knechtel lived in semi-retirement on his large farm property in Maple Falls, Washington until his death. He had, however, worked with record producer Rick Rubin, contributing with the keyboards to albums by Neil Diamond and the Dixie Chicks, and touring with the Dixie Chicks in support of their Grammy Award winning album Taking the Long Way. Prior to Washington, Knechtel previously lived in Bakersfield, California on Monterey Street.
Knechtel died on August 20, 2009, in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Washington.[1]
http://www.larryknechtel.com/LarryKnechtel/LK_2.JPG