LARRY KNECHTEL - Tribute & Rare Interview

Tribute to Larry Knechtel, former member of the legendary Wrecking Crew session team, and also a member of BREAD, along with excerpts from a rare interview with the great man...

[@jeffjeff4477]

Bread was so underrated

[@mrb4886]

Never.

[@int53185]

A session player winning a Grammy. A very rare occurrance.

[@midnightfury7267]

RIP Larry loved your playing with Bread.🍞

[@rolandronald3178]

The world needs to know this man's name. Such a humble person. It's staggering when you consider how many classic songs were catapulted to another level by Larry Knechtel's innovative talent. If you watched this and it was mostly new information to you, you won't believe what they DIDN'T mention! Let's play a game: I'll start and you reply, etc. Name something legendary that Larry played on that isn't mentioned in the video! All that beautiful, crazy, ragtimey piano on Mamas & Papas tracks? Larry Knechtel.

[@steveanddaves6530]

Piano on Rockin' Pneumonia? Larry Knechtel.

[@jimsullins9162]

McArthur Park

[@rcjward]

RIP, Larry. Thank-you so much for sharing your amazing talent.

[@gixxerboy555]

Larry Knechtel was the man who played the beautiful guitarsolo on Breads awesome and mighty track..the guitar man...wow R.I.P. Larry Knechtel I still listen often to the wonderfull song..and amazing guitarsolo on that song...thanx

[@arlenroth8373]

Was such an honor to have him play on my album in Nashville, "Toolin' Around" ! What a great guy he was!

[@imannonymous7707]

Mr Roth you are kind and humble man.... and talented too....larry was amazing...I didnt know he played with bread but I'm not suprised....he was on so many

[@danielweeks3723]

Wow Arlen, Wow!

[@BlueRivers]

Genius musician: the bass work on the first Doors album is absolutely genius. RIP Larry, you were the best!

[@jezebeljones659]

Seen his name on album credits everywhere, all my life. Didn't realize he was the one playing "Bridge Over Troubled Water. Pure gold. Passion, professionalism, and commitment.

[@ethelsayson5717]

Indeed he was a great musician

[@gustaaf1892]

I had no idea he was part of he wrecking crew, but in hindsight I'm not surprised. What a musical talent!

[@paulm.7422]

He performed on most of the Beach Boys songs; mainly keyboards.

[@Branner]

The Wrecking Crew's work with the 5th Dimension is some of their best.

[@MrMusicguyma]

Knechtel was a stupendous musician. And he sounds like he was a guy with his priorities straight.

[@dikless222]

I had the absolute pleasure of touring New Zealand and Australia with Bread in 1996 as their support act. Larry, and in fact all the guys in Bread, were so lovely and supportive of me, so friendly and so inspiring to me as an up and coming songwriter...I will never forget that time in my life. I'm truly blessed to have shared the same stage as these legendary musicians. Rikki Morris (NZ).

[@baltic88]

Great memories Rikki. Was at the town hall for the ChCh show back then. Still have the tour poster! A dream come true to see them play live, so much talent in one band. Loved them all and heartwarming to hear your comments. They all inspired so many people in so many ways.

[@azdrummer1]

dikless222 Wow, I am so jeleous and prob would of tried to convince my band to do support on that tour for free, just to have seen those guys perform live. Thank you for the great story Rikki!

[@atombomb31458]

+dikless222 very cool1!! you still a professional musician?

[@dikless222]

+atombomb31458 yes I am! I am also a live sound engineer. I write and record radio jingles as well.

[@petebutler9967]

dikless222 you are one lucky guy, Larry was surely special, guitar man!

[@The22on]

How did I go so long never knowing of this genius? He was good enough to do studio work on THREE INSTRUMENTS!!! I play guitar professionally, and in a pinch play a pretty good piano and bass. But I wouldn't want to compete with a guy like this for work.

[@patricialake6145]

Rest in Peace Larry. You Will Always be Remembered for your gifted talent.

[@justjoshin2825]

Wow, a rare interview from an extremely rare and gifted musician .. Larry is a bona fide rock star .. awesome

[@davidbeja]

What a humble and extremely talented man. RIP Larry.

[@int53185]

Thanks for the music Larry. RIP.

[@dalesharpy9197]

I surveyed Larry’s property on the Silver Lake road near Maple Falls, WA back in the 90’s and it was an honor!! He had a studio there at his place. I asked him what it was like being in Bread and having all those women at there shows.. he said the stage lighting was so bright he couldn’t see them lol! Not many people really know what a talent this guy was, a one of a kind. So happy to have met him. RIP Guitar Man!

[@debcorbett7146]

That's amazing! I've seen the HUGE ranch he lived on but never got any further than where his driveway met the road. I know he was quite the talented horseman!

[@rogbrown1458]

So fortunate to see Bread and the legend that was Larry Knetchtel!. Rog.Pacific Sunset Records ( LA).

[@sparechange4799]

Natural Talent! Shines through

[@bretstanley8931]

The fact that he was proficient enough on piano, guitar and bass to be a session player is truly amazing to me! As someone who noodles around with all three instruments, I marvel at someone who can be so good at all of them!

[@gregb7595]

Bass looks easy, only if your sticking to 1, 4, 5, octave. But knowing good passing notes and transitions is very difficult to keep it moving and not mess anyone up.

[@winifredatwell3982]

Never knew much about this remarkable musician - or should that be magician? He added a magic touch to the music and gave songs an extra dimension. Bread produced the most perfect, impossibly beautiful three minute pop songs. I still listen in wonder to how they did it - Larry was part of the collective genius

[@The22on]

You put it perfectly.

[@gixxerboy555]

Larry is the guitar-solo-player of the wonderful Bread song...The Guitar Man...so he is the real GuitarMan..R.I.P. Larry Knechtel.

[@patricialake6145]

I am a big fan of Bread . I was a fan since 7 years old

[@puppet003]

Patricia, so was I. Aloha!

[@leonorageronimo3775]

Im too here in the Phils.

[@mikearcuri406]

The only surviving member of Bread is David Gates. One of the tightest bands from that era.

[@tjvanpopta]

@@mikearcuri406 Rob Royer is still alive.

[@raybenoit5238]

I can tell from this interview , this guy loved what he did and Must've been a jewel To work with .

[@Airwaves-Radio]

No wonder Bread was such a huge success.

[@signalstatstevedouglas1387]

man Larry was a rare breed of man a musical genius. 🎹🎶

[@rainbowranddy]

A rare bread of a musician.

[@mauriciobeltre14]

A truely gifted musician......such a pleasure to have heard him playing.

[@u311224]

I had the pleasure of meeting his Grand daughter and her boyfriend in Kauai Hawaii last week. When they told me he played piano on Bridge over troubled water in nearly gasped! I told her that the first dream I can ever recall was when I was about 4 and my mom was playing the record and i saw 2 crows one on a stage the other backstage and the one onstage was doing poorly and didn't know it, the second crow pulled him off as a friend to save him from embarrassment. its been more than 0 years and I got to tell her that story that her grandfather inspired me a 4 year old that he never met !!!!!! Life is so timeless!!!!!!

[@davidgarione2206]

Wow man...Did he make the piano introduction of Bridge over troubled water? I didn't know this....all my respects for this great piano man!! This arrangement is eternal! May he rest in peace.

[@cedarshoals529]

Yes, David Gates said that Larry did all the arrangement for the song Bridge Over Troubled Water. Consummate musician.

[@georgesturdy7040]

One of the most talented musicians of all time

[@timschaap7643]

I met this wonderful guy back in the sixties. I traveled from Idaho to bring down a substitute drummer for an Idaho group recording at RCA. Larry was the session bass player. Showed me some cool stuff. Nice guy. The funniest thing I remember was on the back of his fender bass guitar, a bumper sticker that said, "Deliveries in the Rear" He was a hoot!

[@lrookies]

Bridge Over Troubled Water made my tough-as-nails Grandmother cry...Special song. Loved Bread too. Larry was a gifted musician.

[@cedarshoals529]

It is always hard to pick a "favorite" song, but I think Bridge Over Troubled Water is certainly one of the finest songs ever written. Paul Simon's words, Larry's arrangement and piano work and Art's angelic voice came together in a never-to-be-repeated performance. Made me shed a tear or many over the years!

[@rolandronald3178]

@@cedarshoals529 As incredible a song as BOTW is, can you imagine how it might sound without Larry?! You get to keep Paul's hardworking, melodic and lyrical genius. You get to keep Artie's angelic voice. You get to keep the crisp, clean production. I'll even give you the orchestra! All I ask you to remove is Larry's piano. What on earth would that even sound like?!

[@1mespud]

Thanks for this. And thank you Larry Knechtel for doing your part to help tame and save mankind with your gift and versatile talent. Your musical contributions were part soundtrack to my much younger life. May GOD bless your legacy. Everyone be careful out there..

[@rman52]

The wrecking crew created the sound track of so many lives.

[@michaelhartzell5930]

I think I'm correct in saying that Larry did all the piano backups for the Mama's and Papa's along with Mama Cass's solo songs.....a fantastic saloon piano player.

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

Larry was fantastic and what a record of playing on hit after hit! So many great musicians from that era are gone now!

[@tacati2009]

The greatest! The greatest!

[@thegabellashow4174]

Larry and his music will never be forgotten. Thank you

[@lawrencegress9831]

What a extraordinary talent.

[@mprest10]

Wow. What an amazing guy and musician.

[@marcusbuckner5582]

Thanks , Joe! Your work is appreciated! Rest easy, Larry. Thanks for sharing your gifts with others. ❤️🎸❤️🇺🇸❤️✝️

[@heck2150]

Great tribute to Larry and recognition of his individual talents and contributions to Bread.

[@byapcs]

RIP Larry.Great and humble musician.

[@MarkLAsche]

One of the greatest ever.

[@robinpbradford]

Amazingly talented - the late great Larry Knechtel.

[@blakegregory969]

Such a talented man.

[@davidjames7949]

LARRY IS PLAYING THE FENDER BASS ON LIGHT MY FIRE BY THE DOORS RECORDED AT SUNSET SOUND IN THE FALL OF 1966!!

[@johnjarou2357]

very good and interesting video. larry knechtel was a talented guy.

[@TheORIGINALBrentTheGent]

BEAUTIFUL tribute to My Late Friend Larry !!!!!

[@robertgalbreath6239]

He was also excellent on Rockin Pneumonia and Boogie woogie Flu.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

That wa-wa on Guitar Man sealed the deal for me. Knechtel was music top-drawer royalty and elite.

[@dennisquinn8558]

I finally looked up the name of the organist I admire who played on a record I owned in the 60s: Johnny Rivers Live At The Whiskey A Go-Go. Specifically his amazing play in the song When A Man Loves A Woman. Finding out it was Larry Knechtel. A talented much in demand studio musician who was significantly a part of many of songs that I knew well, by: The Doors, Simon And Garfunkel, and The Mamas And The Papas (such as the upbeat honky tonk into to their song Words Of Love). Such a talent.

[@Flash023]

Thanks for putting this together. Love learning the truth about who made the songs in the studio happen, Larry played on many of my favorite songs. And I had no idea he was on The Doors debut. Bread, I grew to like lately, not so much back then. Excellent

[@puppet003]

What a gift I appreciate. Everyone has a God given gift. If you don't know it....then find it. Great upload, and a learning experience for sure! Fantastic Artist...Rest in peace brother.

[@rogbrown1458]

Most fortunate to see Bread in concert with the legend that was Larry Knetchtel.Rog.Pacific Sunset ( LA)

[@theonemodifier]

great wah tone and solo's on guitar man.

[@elimooremusic]

What a great feature. I've always looked up to guys like him, preferring myself to play lots of different styles. I was just listening to "Rocking Pneumonia..", Johnny Rivers, and Larry was the one killing the piano on it

[@chingtongtsai6798]

Larry and Jimmy Griffin of Bread are both Grammy Winners what a great band

[@marcialbonifacio4001]

Actually James Griffin who together with Robb Royer, also a founding member of bread & under the pseudonyms Robb Wilson & Arthur James won an Oscar award for best original song "For all we know" made famous by the Carpenters for the film Lovers & other Strangers. ✌

[@pegfarley3158]

Always Love Bread ..Jimmy Griffin and Larry, and Mike!!

[@SuperSCORPION1958]

Another of my unsung bass mentors.

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

Amazing gifted musician.

[@thasty100]

Awesome talent ! What the hell happen to today’s music? I realize there has to be progress and musically things change but they truly have gone down the shitter!

[@NickNicometi]

Right down The Shitter!

[@holleyjomartinez4009]

I hear you. I don’t even listen to today’s music. It’s not that I’ve gotten older, because I have. But, todays music is just so filled with violence, sex, and strange topics it isn’t enjoyable to me. To each his own, I suppose. I love “Bread” and all of the talent they brought to the music world. 💕

[@anthonyyorath7661]

one of the best to the intelligent

[@onlyboatride]

What a Man !

[@hugoluiz2835]

You are great, Larry. The piano introduction of Bridge over troubled water is a hymn, eternal and you did it. Evething you did in Bread is fantastic.

[@lorigale9996]

Legendary musician...

[@shedsuck]

What an absolutely incredible musician and humble soul. He had more talent in his pinky finger than most of the top pop stars today. He's always been an inspiration to me as a drummer and keyboardist.

[@camiloflores8961]

God bless you Larry. RIP, from Chile with love, CFS.

[@copiopteryx]

Larry was one of the "distinguished colleagues" on the 1968 album Lincoln Mayorga & Distinguished Colleagues, the fist album released by Sheffield Labs which kicked off the modern era of direct-to-disc recordings.

[@Ricardo-mt7pr]

Such a great talent. I've been a Bread, David Gates fan since the 70's but never knew Larry played on so many hit songs. Miss those days of great music.

[@BobM195]

I grew up listening to Bread, David Gates...I still listen to them..60's,70's channels on Sirius XM...I have also found some New music I listen to...Sturgil Simpson, Son Volt, Turnpike Troubadours to name a few...You did a Good Job Larry...We Bridged over Trouble waters..The music lives on..God Bless all of you..Livin in the USA..🛐✝️☮🇺🇸

[@maxwaller2055]

*¡rest in peace Larry Knetchel (1940 - 2009)!* - 11:15 am Pacific Standard Time on Sunday, 31 January 2021

[@Jamie-1985]

Very articulate, great to have his own explanations and interpretations of his work from a time and way of recording that will not return

[@Tonetwisters]

I love that bass line rise at the end ... The entire song was brilliance rooted in hymnal style ...

[@tessflores785]

Rest i Peace Larry Knechtel. You were a gem in the music world.

[@gregb7595]

Great underrated talent. Wish i could have met him.

[@smarzbanmd]

THANK YPU MALC, I STILL am a great Breads fan, and was aware of Larry's passing, but didn't know much about his early carrier, especially winning Grammy for that magical piece of piano intro on The Bridge over Troubled Water, please let us know if you have more on this under appriciated, American music genius. Thanks buddy, and god bless.

[@wotizit2937]

Amazing!

[@chrism.6371]

Iconic.

[@blueasterstyles7126]

Damn he's great!! No wonder I suppose.

[@mikeedwards1693]

Unbelievable arrangement xxx

[@whitworthfields]

Hi Folks, please take the time to listen to “Hold Tight” by bread, Larry does the solo on the Hammond organ, not your usual Bread type song, but Larry shows yet again what a talented Musician he was. Hope you enjoy.

[@cedarshoals529]

Ross I added a link to the song for anyone who is interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXm4XniCnMSNbrc

[@magicrick7425]

How can anyone give this a thumbs down?

[@incubushoobastank7356]

they're idiots..

[@1mespud]

People are not who you want them to be. Life also permits "idiots" to exist amongst us. Life will even permit the "wrong" people to possess great wealth, political power and bad ideologies for their own selfish and personal reasons. Be careful out there..

[@magicrick7425]

That's for sure! Rich selfish people ought to go to Hell!

[@eddo1983]

Maybe they didn't like the video quality?

[@pneto2379]

Muito bom

[@Marlondurran]

Top man!!

[@oldermusiclover]

soo soo wish I could have met him and the rest of the Crew

[@althecatify]

Thank you Malc2311 for posting this! Larry was one of the greatest studio musicians of all time, as well as a great member of Bread. The albums he's played on in his career would blow people's minds if they ever saw a listing of this. Thanks again for giving some recognition to LK.

[@Gottenhimfella]

althecatify You mean, a listing like this? : Larry Knechtel played with Elvis Presley, did the Hammond organ for "Good Vibrations", the piano for "Bridge over Troubled Water" (a part which he also devised, in other words he arranged the song, which he won a Grammy for), the harpsichord for Richard Harris’s “MacArthur Park” and the bass guitar for the Byrds"Tambourine Man", "Age of Aquarius" with the 5th Dimension, and the Doors "Light my Fire" . The Doors never played live with a bass guitarist -- Ray Manzarek used the funny little Fender Rhodes Bass piano -- but used a session musician for studio work, as the guitar provided better definition of the bass line on recordings. Larry played the lead guitar solo and wah-wah licks on "Guitar Man" (Bread). He worked (on bass guitar) with Duane Eddy in the late fifties and was 'instrumental' (pun intended) in Phil Spector's 'wall of sound' . He also played harmonica. Larry was on stage at the notorious Monterey festival with three different acts: Janis Joplin, the Byrds, and the Mamas & Papas.He played with (or on recordings by) Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, the Righteous Brothers, Diana Ross, John Denver, Roy Orbison, the Monkees, the Dixie Chicks, Neil Diamond, Harry Nillson, Steppenwolf, Seals and Crofts, Barbara Streisand, Tina Turner, the Spencer Davis Group, Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman, Billy Joel, Hank Williams Jr, the Beach Boys (including Pet Sounds) and Elvis Costello & the Fairfield Four, among others. At the age of 64, five years before he died, Larry decided to learn to read music, using a soundless wooden 36-key practice keyboard he carried about with him that he was using to practice fingerings. He essentially learned how to read music by learning Bach. He said he’d always played by ear before. “I’d always just sorta bullshit and get lucky.”

[@Gottenhimfella]

Gottenhimfella I forgot a couple: Sonny and Cher, and the Ronettes...

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

+Gottenhimfella WOW as those guys in the WRECKING CREW were FANTASTIC!!!! Thanks for posting LARRY'S CREDITS!!!!! He was superb beyond superb!!!!!

[@ktpinnacle]

“I’d always just sorta bullshit and get lucky.” That's called genius.

[@NickNicometi]

@@Gottenhimfella "LIST THEM", I thought. Then, you followed.with The List!. Thanks.

[@jimsullins9162]

Don't forget "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Blues" and "McArthur Park". What a difference in those tunes !

[@richardsherfield1175]

A great talent

[@zerobertoballestra]

BRAVO!!!!!

[@blueoysterdvp]

Larry was amazing in concert with Bread. His versatility on stage gave Bread a fuller live sound. No stage fright there. Bread’s future changed drastically as far as overall song quality and concert sound when Larry joined. What an amazing talent and career. His session work is legendary. His unaccredited bass on “The Doors” album duplicating Ray Manzarek’s Fender Rhodes bass lines “exactly” is genius. What a jolt he added to “Light My Fire”! I felt so empty and sad when I heard he died. I mention his name almost everyday when I’m talking about music. Same with the Wrecking Crew in general. Larry was my favorite member though. RIP

[@oldermusiclover]

one of my piano heros thanks Joe

[@michelraffin7006]

Thanks Larry, and thanks to Bread…was in usa when guitar man was released …they deserve audiophile vinyls like acoustic sounds can do with Kevin Gray or……but nothing …i m waitnig for that to happen

[@TheOriginalRick]

If you want to hear Larry really cut loose on the piano take a listen to the Seeds album by Barry McGuire here on KZbin. Larry is all over the album on the piano but two songs in particular really stand out. The first is Last Daze Waltz and the second is Lear jets / Father's Son. Larry must have had a ball playing on those songs as his piano is so joyfully infectious.

[@timothyotell2574]

Very interesting

[@darinrogers9623]

Speechless

[@tobyjenner2924]

Met him top man

[@macsnafu]

I wanted to find out more about his time with Bread. If he liked the variety of being a session musician, then why did he join Bread and stick with it for several albums and tours?

[@Malc2311]

As my biography of Bread (A Sweet Surrender) points out, by the turn of the decade and the start of the 70s, the illustrious career of a session musician was running dry as many bands wanted to play on their own recordings as opposed to using the tried and tested session musician formula. Larry had a family to support and needed a steady income... and knew David Gates well. He may not have always liked the music all the time (quote: "this band was never gonna boogie") but it was regular work for him... I guess it was that or endless Partridge Family sessions...

[@surrealismodojaziel4799]

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