Larry Knechtel
First Les Paul, then Jim Dickinson. Larry Knechtel makes three. Knechtel was the pianist (and occasional bassist) in The Wrecking Crew, the name given to the LA studio musicians who played on countless hits. He was also a member of Bread, but let’s not talk about that. He was 69.
Unfortunately, there’s no video clip available for Elvis Costello’s The Other Side Of Summer (stupid Warner Music Group). So here’s one that I’m not actually sure if he played on, but probably did – He’s A Rebel by The Crystals
As revolutionary as it was to hear McGuinn’s Rickenbacker 12-string on Mr. Tambourine Man, it’s not nearly as cool without Knechtel’s counter melody on bass.
Knechtel also played organ on that holiest of pop songs, God Only Knows. Here’s the lesser-known version with Brian Wilson on lead vocals.
Finally, and this is just absolutely gorgeously stunning. Knechtel accompanying Art Garfunkel on Bridge Over Troubled Water suring S&G’s 1969 tour. Knechtel also played on the original recording. I think I once read that he did the arrangement on the song, too.
Amazing rendition of the very young Garfunkle. Always great to hear one of their BEST songs.
The musicians of the 60’s and 70’s will slowly disappear (those that survived). Along with the Motown house band, and the Stax/Volt gang, the Wrecking Crew defined the music of the time. RIP
[...] the other day, in the Comments of my Larry Knechtel post, reader liverbird [...]
Larry won The Grammy for his arrangement of Bridge Over Troubled Water. A true Renaissance Man in cowboy boots.