R.I.P. Larry Knechtel

[Doug Carey]

Legendary studio keyboardist and Wrecking Crew member, Larry Knechtel, passed away last Thursday at the age of 69.

Larry had lived in my town of Yakima, Washington for over seven years with his wife Vicki.

Larry was responsible for the piano arrangement in Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," as well as numerous recordings including those by The Beach Boys, The Mamas & Papas, The Monkees, The 5th Dimension, Neil Diamond, Elvis Costello and most recently, The Dixie Chicks. Larry was also a member of the soft rock group, Bread.

I was fortunate enough to get to know Larry. He was extremely unassuming and humble. We did lunch over a year ago and I had the opportunity to ask tons of questions.

Regarding Burt Bacharach, I believe he played piano on the 5th Dimension's version of "One Last Bell To Answer." I also brought up Herb Alpert's "This Guy's In Love." Larry told me that he played on that as well. I asked, " You played the Rhodes part?" "No," he said, "I played the harmonica." Indeed he did.

He will be missed.

Doug

[pljms]

Fantastic and versatile musician. Two of his finest achievements must be his piano work on Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and the Harpsichord part on Richard Harris's legendary hit recording of 'MacArthur Park'.