How "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was Recorded - As Told by Keyboardist, Larry Knechtel

Today's guest is LA session musician, Larry Knechtel. You've probably heard Larry play bass on "Mr. Tambourine Man" for The Byrds. He was the bass player for the group Bread. He also played the lead guitar on the song "The Guitar Man" for Bread.
Larry is probably best known for playing the keyboards on "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
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[@raystaar]

I watched Larry Knechtel come up with the keyboard part on 'Never My Love' for The Association. Brilliant.

[@jimmyb1559]

You’re a lucky man!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Ray.... Joe

[@raystaar]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum You're so welcome, Joe. Thanks for posting these outstanding videos. So much of music history goes missing because there are no records kept of musicians' first hand experiences.

[@raystaar]

@@jimmyb1559 Indeed I am, Jimmy, and I realize it more and more each day.

[@jrh11254]

Ray Staar - Tell us more please?!

[@paulrevelli]

Clearly, no one could have done what Larry Knechtel did on that intro. It just sounds like he's playing it from his soul. There is another example of his keyboard artistry on Paul Simon's first solo album at the end of the track "Congratulations". Larry does the outro by himself on a Wurly with just Hal Blaine's bass drum keeping time. Man, it'll make you cry as the song starts to wind down. Larry Knechtel has left us with some amazing music, the likes of which only our unsung musical heroes seem to have the ability to do sometimes.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Paul.... Joe

[@jimmyb1559]

Behind every great song are those musicians we hardly know that made a song unforgettable. Thank you Larry for a perfect intro to one of the greatest songs ever. Thank you Joe for the behind the scenes stories we would never hear if it wasn’t for you. You’re the best!!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

I’m very happy you enjoyed them Jimmy... Thanks for watching and supporting our channel... Joe

[@sapelesteve]

Holy crap! He played the lead guitar on the Breads "Guitar Man"! One of my very favorite all time songs! Mindblowing for sure. I like when he said " you can't always deliver you know". Looks to me like he did a lot of great delivering musically. Thanks again for these videos Joe...👍👏👏👍🎸🎸🎸🎸👍👍

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Steve.. actually bass with the Byrds “ tambourine man” lead guitar on “The Guitar Man” with Bread and bass all the time with Bread.. was a member... plus all the others... Joe

[@sapelesteve]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum OOPS! Misspoke, I meant to write Bread & not Byrds! Thanks for the correction Joe!

[@billbrown2832]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum it would be cool if you could talk to david gates

[@qwertyzxaszc6323]

Thank you! These interview are invaluable for pop music history.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too ZZ... Joe

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Wow. Piano on Bridge and lead on Guitar Man. That ain't shabby. LOL Crazy how some people are so blessed.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Roger... Joe

[@rogerwilliams2629]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2m1e5ijqrmKrq8. I have a lot of country songs, I sing and write. Homebound now. Thanks for all you do, Joe

[@ghostownaproach]

Larry played that amazing organ solo on the Association hit "Never My Love" . My musical partner for sixteen years was pals with Larry's younger brother growing up in LA so he'd tell us all about him.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for sharing Ghost... joe

[@polara01]

That is just unbelievable because I have been listening to "never my love" the last couple days specifically for the way the organ and the electric piano both trade fours at the end of the song during the last solo as it fades out and I was just reeling about the genius of that playing and listened to it over and over again the last couple nights and I haven't heard that song in years and then I stumbled on your comments and I guess somewhere Larry was listening and wanted me to know this that is just the strangest coincidence. He is one of my biggest inspirations and I was wondering who in the world played that and for some reason it didn't click that it was probably was Larry Knechtel because he did so much of that sort of thing but to me that solo is one of the greatest keyboard solos out of any track I have ever heard on any song and I tried to figure it out goofing around and realize it's a piano and organ basically going back and forth with the piano being played on the last few bars but the way it's mixed most people think it's just a Vox Continental organ going on all the way through to the end...but take a listen again; the last couple bars that's an electric piano playing those incredible licks not an organ, but it's seamless the way Larry seamed it together. So if you are correct about that you just made my day and elevated Larry to an even higher place in my mind. Maybe you already know this but the song (guitar man) buy Bread, I believe Larry played that guitar solo as well he just didn't play it much live because he was on the bass when he toured with David Gates and Bread and one of my absolute favorite concerts of all time is the BBC concert with bread I think around 1977 it really showcases all of Larry's talents as everybody jumps around and traded instruments on stage with several different songs if you haven't caught it check it out it's on KZbin it's to die for! Please let me know what you think of it... All these interviews that Joe has done are such a treat and the more I learn about their incredible accomplishments and contributions the more I appreciate them especially Larry. Larry was like the Michael Jordan of Studio musicians... He could basically do it all and make it look easy I never seen anybody like him it is so sad that he has left us already as well as Joe Osborn and Hal Blaine. I guess the Lord has some big shindig coming up and needed his absolute best studio guys to back up his choir. Peace & God bless, Bob M.

[@Tunz909]

Also Larry played the boogie-woogie piano on the River's cut 'Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu"!!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks 909.... joe

[@Goomer]

So down earth, fantastic musician.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Goomer... Joe

[@andreiter]

My favourite all-time song, still and forever.....

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Andre... thanks for watching.., Joe

[@williamkinney427]

I knew Larry in his later years in Yakima, WA. He was truly an amazing musician....he just "gets it" so uniquely and beautifully. Piano, organ, harpsicord, harmonica, and bass guitar. Larry had an uncanny FEEL for playing so wonderfully. For example, that is him on the GENIUS piano solo right in the middle of the song "Dream a Little Dream of Me" by Mama Cass Elliott. Fantastic!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi William.... you know... Larry was just so talented on any instrument he picked up. Like you said... he just knew what to play... so tasteful. The bass on mr. tambourine Man, the piano on bridge over troubled water, the lead guitar on the guitar man. He was just an extremely talented musician and a really good person. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts... Joe

[@70sstreetracergal61]

Thank you so much Joe! Saw Larry playing with Bread at a concert in Idaho at college 👍🏻☮️🤘🏻 Oh, so love the 70’s music ❤️☮️❤️

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too Gal.... Joe

[@AndyMangele]

"Bridge over troubled water" is one of my all time favorites - musically as well as lyrically!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for your comment Andy.... Joe

[@hobodivine5776]

72 takes, holy moly! Thanks for sharing, great story. :0)

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Hobo.... Best.... Joe

[@stupendousmusic4190]

Joe: Could you please post the complete interview? Larry Knechtel was one of the tru treasures of the music industry! I would love to hear more about him as a bassist: his tone on Mr. Tambourine Man, as well as many other recordings is to die for! As always, thank you!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Stu.... I was just telling your fellow viewer “Blueticecho” who was requesting parts 2,3,4,5 etc. of Larry’s interview that there wasn’t anymore about Bridge over troubled water but there is more of our interview with Larry coming. I think you’ll enjoy it too. Since there’s a lot of positive comments about this clip I’ll try and get more up soon.As usual thank you for your supporting our channel and sharing your thoughts.... Best........ Joe

[@stupendousmusic4190]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank you!

[@brotzmannsax]

Every one you interview gives a relaxed and down home feel to their stories, credit to you Joe. Imagine having to do 72 takes to create one of the biggest songs ever. I'm most impressed with the credit he got on the 45 label as the keyboard player, I can't recall that with any other singles.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Sax......Joe

[@roblawhorne1015]

Joe, I always enjoy learning from you how much I don't know, haha. I always thought that Larry was mainly a pianist. When I think of The Byrds "Mr Tambourine Man" I remember how the opening guitars and THAT BASS LINE grabbed me (it still does). I was 14 or 15 when Bread's "Guitar Man" hit the radio. An eye opener for a kid who bought the records and saw these musicians on tv and figured that they were sitting on top of it all. But the song's story of smaller venues and smaller audiences is haunting. He's just GOT to find another place to play... or fade away.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Rob... I’m glad you’re enjoying watching our videos.... thanks for sharing your comments too... Joe

[@Phoebedumplings]

For Larry not to have any royalty on this song is ridiculous...Paul Simon wanted every penny, Larrys contribution can’t be understated, it’s a core part of the song.

[@donaldpetersen3513]

Amen

[@gibsondrummer]

Thats the way it works Sideman gets a flat fee for a session People who own the publishing and record companies gets rich and artist on the cover of the hit record becomes famous , its not always the songwriters who get rich The contributions of about 3 dozen players and a half dozen producers can be heard on hundreds and hundreds of hits from the early sixties into the early seventies And most Americans who listened to music all this time know nothing about any of it Business is business all over the world Its harsh I toured for years , i had lots of fun , people made a living Its a business

[@Phoebedumplings]

@gobson drummer....well lectures over??? It doesn’t stop the artist making a contribution, which, by all accounts ,Simon never did, that was my point

[@linjicakonikon7666]

Simon was a complicated guy. He could be generous or a complete jerk. He definitely looked out for number 1. It is sad that Larry didn't get more out of his iconic contribution to this iconic moment in musical history.

[@suesjoy]

Exactly. He wrote the piano part! When Paul was in England, he asked Bert Jansch how he played Scarborough Fair, so Bert showed him. Then Paul promptly recorded Bert’s arrangement, giving Jansch zero credit!

[@jfjoubertquebec]

The interview cuts just as tings were getting interesting. Great insights and wonderful story... truthfully told.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching JJ... Joe

[@Doones51]

He also played the organ in World in Changes on Dave Mason's Alone Together album. He plays one smoking solo on it.

[@kwgm8578]

Great tune. Great piano part. Thank you, Larry. The first time I heard it in 1971, I remember where I was. It was a rainy late winter's day, riding west on US Route 22, toward Flemington, N.J. to visit my grandmother. I made my girlfriend pull off the road into a parking lot, where we sat and listened quietly, with the radio up, car turned off. We were both moved by the first two verses, but the big Phil Specter finish made us both giggle. It was so damn contrived. I'd like to hear that third verse done without the treatment, or with a Paul Simon treatment. Thanks for all the music, Larry.

[@vicparis3524]

Another gem from the vault! Kudos Joe!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you again for watching Vic... Joe

[@WakadooPlaypen]

Fantastic. Love the "splice freak" reference. Remember, you had to De-Mag your razor blade after every cut or you'll get a click as the blade becomes magnetized.Can relate to Hallee's 72 takes!! Not to mention the amount of time it takes for the tape to locate the smpte address! Thanks Joe, love these interviews.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Playpen....Thanks for your thoughts and comments.... and your constant supporting our channel... Joe

[@outtathyme5679]

Great interview of a colorful musician

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi 567...... I really appreciate it.... Joe

[@RockHardRiffs]

Who needs a time machine when you have MHOF. Fantastic stuff Joe 🎸

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Rock..... you just made my day.. Thank you! Joe

[@jotruck8581]

My all-time favourite piece of music. That piano is moving. Thank you

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too Jo.... best....... Joe

[@jefferyrichardson1348]

Pretty good legacy to leave behind. God bless him. He was being brutally honest.

[@coramarquez6400]

Beautiful piano arrangement, i must say!

[@kostyapolykova9879]

a legendary album thanks for posting ! Your interviews are the best

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks KP... Joe

[@TedHaughawout]

Larry also played bass on several of S&G'S songs including his great bass line on "America"

[@davidosborn146]

No, that's Joe Osborn. I know because I'm his son, one of his four children. Dad left his royalties to his kids, and when a check comes from digital downloads or Sirius radio there's a list of songs with it which shows S&G-America. The musicians union doesn't make mistakes with the money.

[@dawnt5487]

@@davidosborn146Your dad was amazing!

[@eamonnmorris5331]

Larry played piano on other sessions too ... Art Garfunkel's Angel Clare for example, and many more. Beautiful stuff, all of it, rich with pop and gospel and country stylings. Sadly he is gone now. As a piano player, I would love to have met him.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Earmonn... thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts... Larry was a great musician period... guitar, bass and keyboards... probably anything he touched... Thanks again for supporting our channel... joe

[@glendalangley1877]

One of the best duo’s of my generation. Happy to hear about those that contributed to their success. Many thanks.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Glenda... Joe

[@blueticecho5690]

Joe.. I hope part 2.3.4.5.6... is coming soon.. thanks.. Michael.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Michael..... I’m glad you liked the interview. Larry was a great guy as well as musician. This was all of the interview concerning” Bridge Over Troubled Water” but there’s more with Larry we’ll put up on our KZbin channel soon.... Thanks for watching... Joe

[@jimmy7376]

I got a feeling that he delivered every time. Thanks for the music!

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

How awesome is it to get the stories from these incredible people, always fascinating Thank you Kindly Joe and all the folks at MHF&M Long may you run.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks LSA.... Joe

[@NYCgirl927]

Love when I see there’s another video from MHOF and Joe. What a beautiful gem out of the treasure trove of interviews. Thanks for posting.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks NYC......Joe

[@Daytripper51]

WOW, Joe...You keep pulling these interviews from key players in all music! To everyone.....I HIGHLY ENDORSE visiting The Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville! It's a fascinating place!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you brp... joe

[@peterknegtel]

Larry and I, emailed a lot. He was very interested in our family history which goes back to the 1100's. RIP Larry.

[@edbankston5593]

Greatest series always cool

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Ed.... Joe

[@ricktaylor1548]

Really good insight into this classic song. Thanks for posting, Joe

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

You’re welcome Rick... joe

[@jonasadamson6645]

I love to watch every single one of these interviews. Right now, that´s the way I spend my evenings, it´s addictive. It´s great to get to know all the cats who contributed to the classic recordings that became part of music history. Thank you!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too Jonas... I appreciate it very much... Joe

[@3340steve]

What a cool gentleman....pretty surprising to consider that the song become a bit of a burden to live up to....i am stoked also that he gives a shout out to Joe Osborn, another unsung giant....

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching 3340.... Yes Larry, Hal Blaine and Joe Osborn were the core members of the Wrecking Crew that Lou Adler used on everything. Best.., Joe

[@TooLooze]

Just a great series....thanks so much, Joe!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you again too Toolooze....best, Joe

[@Stevo_Drums]

I heard David Paich say that he was inspired by Larry Knechtel. That’s a two-sided compliment! Thanks, Joe

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Steve... thanks for watching... Joe

[@greatbyrondo]

I watched the video and then listened to BOTW to remind myself how the piano intro went.... I was like..."Oh, yeah...I remember now.... Love these "inside baseball" interviews...!!! This has definitely become one of my favorite channels..... Keep up the good work !

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks great... joe

[@theazairpainter]

wow!!another incredible interview with another classic music hero!! thanks so much

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Painter... joe

[@Kingcaruth]

Hard to make out everything he's saying, but he was there when it happened and he's shared his experience. Thanks to all for sharing.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks John.... Joe

[@dwodo21]

Brilliant musician! A true legend!! Nice interview! Thanks!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks 21.......Joe

[@retiredammo4617]

Another video full of musical history! Thank you so very much.

[@bruceclay3207]

Class act.

[@rogerdodger5415]

Pure Gold!

[@alphabeets]

Great stuff. Thanks, Joe!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again alph... joe

[@stevehornshaw4478]

What an insight Joe. Love hearing these guys to get to open up. Brings so much to our listening please when we have your fantastic background interviews. Thnx as always Joe

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Steve... Joe

[@gustaaf1892]

I read from a friend of Larry that he sold his Grammy because he fell on financial hard times due to the legal battle with Jimmy Griffin, but here he clearly states he still has it and this can't be too long before he passed away. Apart from the keyboard intro, tag and arrangements, Larry was also instrumental in writing the third verse of Bridge over troubled water. He should definitely have received songwriting credits and commensurate royalties.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Peter.... we actually have his Grammy for Bridge here in his exhibit... Joe

[@gustaaf1892]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum That's interesting. His musician 'friend' had a video on YT on which Larry accompanied him on piano at this friend's 50th birthday party. He claimed that the legal dispute between Jimmy Griffin and Bread had financially broken him, which had led to the selling of his Grammy. I always thought that the legal dispute was mostly between Jimmy Griffin and David Gates because Bread had become David Gates and Bread after Jimmy left the band, but I could well be mistaken. Are you aware of Larry having had major financial problems? You'd hope that someone as accomplished and successful as Larry wouldn't, but you can never know what truly plays out in someone's life.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

We never spoke about legal situations. The only reference he made was that musicians aren’t always the best with financial planning..... best, Joe

[@gustaaf1892]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks for the clarification. You're very privileged to have access to great musicians who have greatly influenced music in a great period that I doubt will ever be emulated. Computers have unfortunately ruined music and musicianship as we once knew it.

[@its4it]

Very intresting. Larry's piano part, along with Art's vocal, made BOTW what it was.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Mark…. Best, Joe

[@nellymoriarty_5783]

Great history there I feel for him being stuck WOW interesting 👍💞

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Nelly........Joe

[@buzzsmith8146]

Wow. Nice and insightful.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Buzz.... Joe

[@efhs1970]

Funny, the horn fell off! Thanks Joe, great interview!💫

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Larry..., thanks again... Joe

[@derekec]

I'd watched this some years ago but regardless I'm giving this a huge Like within the first 30 seconds. I mean....c'mon!

[@josephtabar492]

I remember that song as a boy, but I don't remember the keyboard being in the song. I will look it up here on KZbin. I have not heard this song for maybe 50 years.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Joe.... Joe

[@josephtabar492]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks Joe, I see that you remember me. Keep up the good work brother. God bless.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again J.T..... Joe

[@danimation777]

Love this channel such a nice break from the nuttiness

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks 777.... Joe

[@6412mars]

another home run Joe..Thank you

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Mars... Joe

[@jamescassidy3995]

Fascinating - what a talented dude. Short changed on the deal for sure. So sad & strange how playing music can often be so torturous, a blessing & a curse for us musicians.

[@maicimyoshiki9715]

Very nice video. I support you.💗

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks MY.... joe

[@thehotyounggrandpas8207]

Brilliant channel. Subscribed. Will do so again if necessary.

[@mtc4him201]

I thought the studio scene dried up in LA and that is why he moved to Nashville. Very interesting!

[@ivannovotny4552]

Thank you Joe for your another awesome interview and choice of artists. A lot of comments bellow remind me of being a member of Columbia House in the 70s and receiveing free stereo system only for buying their Columbia label vinyl records. Take care.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

You’re welcome Ivan.... Joe

[@billm.819]

Fred Carter Jr was a genius.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Bill... yes Fred was a great guitarist... Joe

[@cambium0]

That is really great playing and makes the track. It's up there with Rick Wakeman on Morning Has Broken.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Ken.... thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts... Joe

[@jimmyb1559]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@joemeyer6876]

“A splice freak” I laughed at that. What would be the pro tools equivalent? 😎

[@michaelnolan743]

"Punch-in freak?"

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Good question:).... Joe

[@stupendousmusic4190]

A comp freak.

[@viewoftheaskew]

You SHOULD have gotten a 1/4 point at least!

[@robertryan2542]

Thanks Joe. Elvis did some version of this song.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching and sharing that Robert... Joe

[@starlightsign8666]

Never credited properly for his contribution to the composition....1/4 point denied. That’s not nice! He obviously would have been a bit better off with a ‘pension song’ under his wing.

[@prittsehmi3428]

Martin Carthy played in England, a ganav approached him on a certain song. In naivity the musician showed this stranger on how to play the song. This ganav went back to the USA and with a friend recorded the song, No recognition was given to the mudician in this story. His name is Martin Carthy. The Ganav is shaul shimon The song Scarborough Fair.

[@jrh11254]

Don’t know what, “ganav,” is or what it means?

[@Playbyplaymedia]

@@jrh11254 Of Hebrew origin, it approximately means "thief".