Biography

Larry Knechtel was born on August 4, 1940 in Bell, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Charro! (1969), Shut Up & Sing (2006) and The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977). He was married to Vickie. He died on August 20, 2009 in Yakima, Washington, USA.

Bassist for Bread. Played with Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Mamas and the Papas and the The Chicks. His arrangement of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" by Simon & Garfunkel--on which he played piano-- won a Grammy in 1970.

Session bassist who played on the soundtrack recording for Elvis Presley's Speedway (1968) and Presley's NBC-TV special June 27-29, 1968. Knechtel had once been a member of Duane Eddy's Rebels and backed artists such as Neil Diamond, Jimmy Webb, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. Joined David Gates band Bread in the early 1970s, replacing Robb Royer.

He is survived by his mother, Edna Knechtel; a son, Lonnie Knechtel, a daughter, Shelli Knechtel Kokenge; two brothers Don Knechtel and Bob Knechtel; and two other grandchildren.