Larry Knechtel

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Larry Knechtel (born Lawrence William Knechtel, 4 August 1940, Bell, California) is a session musician best-known for his work with Simon and Garfunkel, The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds, Smile) and as part of the 1970s band, Bread.

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). In 1971 he joined Bread, where his many contributions include the memorable guitar solo on the hit single "The Guitar Man."

Knechtel now lives in semi-retirement on his large farm property in Maple Falls, Washington. He has, 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.