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Larry Knechtel, 69, passed away on August 20, 2009 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bell, CA.
He has been performing live and in the studio with top-selling artists for nearly half a century. His recent keyboard work on the Dixie Chicks' multi-Grammy Taking the Long Way is proof that he remains at the top of his game. He has been a key member of the Los Angeles-based 'Wrecking Crew', a member of the group 'Bread', a Grammy-winning arranger, a producer, a solo artist. He earned a Grammy Award for Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water. Few musicians can equal the breadth, depth, and quality of his musical experience.
Larry has performed and recorded with a broad range of artists. Just to name a few: The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Duane Eddy, Fats Domino, Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Simon and Garfunkel, The 5th Dimension, Dolly Parton, Steppenwolf, The Doors, The Byrds, The Mamas and The Papas, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams Jr., David Gates, Neil Diamond, Dave Mason, Harry Nilsson, Poco, Johnny Rivers, Tim Weisberg and Randy Newman
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He is survived by his mother Edna Knechtel of Yreka, CA; his wife Vickie Knechtel of Yakima; son Lonnie Knechtel of Ferndale WA; daughter Shelli Kokenge of Gleed; brothers Don Knechtel of Prattville, AL and Bob Knechtel of Yreka, CA and by three grandchildren.
Memorial services are pending. Valley Hills Funeral Home and Crematory in Yakima is in charge of arrangements.
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I would like to express my condolences to Larry's family and friends. He was a terrific musician and I was a fan of his work. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim Hughes
jahughes26@yahoo.com
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My condolences to the Knechtel family at this time of sorrow. I will always treasure the time spent listening to Larry playing at Franklin Park on August 13th, and having a chat with him, life is so precious, thank you for sharing Larry with his fans, he will be sorely missed.
Sincerely, Lisa Formica
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Larry was an awesome musician and person. The world has lost a musician but the family has lost a treasured loved one.
Diana Yancey yd9825@bellsouth.net
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In the short 3 years that we were lucky enough to get to know Larry he became a very special bright spot in our lives. Our most heartfelt sympathy to Vickie and the family. We will be missing him and thinking of you for some time to come. We will always have his music to make us feel better.
Ward and Gail Styner
wbarlows@yahoo.com
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My friendship with Larry came about not from his music, but from his dog Wilbur. Larry was a regular at the dog park. I must have known him for six months before I found out what an accomplished artist he was. He rarely mentioned it and then only in passing. We shared a love of history and often swapped books. He had a keen intellect and a great memory. He was laid-back and absolutely without pretense. My deepest condolences to Vickie and family. Godspeed my friend.
Greg Hinze
hinze57@charter.net
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Larry was beyond musical, he was world class. For him to take his keyboards to entertain where his mother lived is beyond greatness - it's spiritual and selfless. Our prayers are with the entire family.
God Bless Always
Steve & Denise LaPierre
Mooers, New York
globerider@westelcom.com
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Vickie,
We were saddened to see Larry's obituary on the internet. Suzanne asked me to contact you and pass on her condolences to you. Suzanne's memory isn't so good these days, but she remembers you as a good friend. She is living happily in a Franklin assisted living center. Her address is Belvedere Commons, 303 Royal Oaks Blvd. Suzanne Sherrod #108, Franklin TN 37064. Tele. 615-794-6693
skip-sherrod@comcast.net
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It was truly an honor for me to have played in a band with Larry for three years in Bellingham, WA.
During breaks he would tell the most wonderful stories about all of the legendary musicians that he played and recorded with through the years. He was such a huge part of our Rock & Roll history. My heart goes out to his lovely family. They will miss him so much.
I feel blessed that he shared a part of his life with me.
Thank you, Larry. I'll see you again someday.
Lou Nicksic
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My deepest sympathies for your tragic loss. His music will live on forever. Thank you Mr. Knechtel for so many wonderful years of beautiful music. May you Rest in Peace.
Ruth Barnhart
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Vickie & Family,
We are so sorry for your lost. Larry was a great and talented man who will be missed. Our thoughts are with you.
Dale & Dawn Marr and Family
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An open letter to the family of Larry Knechtel:
I found out about Mr. Knechtel's death on the cmt.com website. I mostly remembered him in the early 70's soft rock group Bread. Even though I never knew him or met him, my condolences for with you Mrs. Vickie Knechtel, and his family.
Sincerely
Greg Cochran, Holden, MO
gregc19632003@yahoo.com
P.S. I'm an avid fan of David Gates and Bread. Larry's finally has reunited with Mike Botts, and James "Jimmy" Griffin in R&R Heaven
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on behalf of the jim ladd radio program 955 klos los angeles and the tribe of thousands of devoted listeners and fans of larry knetchtel we offer our condolence to the knechtel family during your time of loss,we remember larry as a brilliant,outstanding musician,so talented and did so much for the music world it is beyond words,today we celebrate larrys life and with the trust of jesus christ we will meet with larry again and live ,love in ever lasting life,larry ,thank you for touching our lifes,and thank you for touching my life with your music personally,kent crawford, musician,kennewick wash,kpc64@hotmail.com
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Over the past many years, we have thought of you and Larry so often, followed Larry's career and remembered fondly the times when we were all so very young together. We were shocked and saddened to learn of Larry's passing and wish you and your family peace and best wishes.
Tom and Denise Sawyer
Edgewood (Puyallup), WA
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Though it took me over 40 years to find out that Larry Knechtel played piano on Rockin' Pneumonia (Johnny Rivers version); I must say I am so glad that I reached out to call him in 2008 to tell him personally what a remarkably high quality spontaneous & influential piece of rock/boogie piano playing he created on that recording. (Done in one take, he told me!). It literally set the bar for this style of piano in rock music.
My very sincere condolences to Larry's family and friends.
Don Abrams, Hermosa Beach, CA
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