Many of you have heard Larry Knechtel's most famous work, even if you don't realize it. He was the man who arranged and played the piano part for Simon & Garfunkel's legendary classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
The title song of the album was originally written with two verses on guitar. When Simon & Garfunkel reached the recording studio, the realized the song needed something more. So, Paul Simon sat down and wrote a third verse and switched the instrumentation from guitar to piano. Larry Knechtel, long recognized as an excellent studio musician as well as a live performer, arranged and played what became the world-famous accompaniment.
Mr. Knechtel went on to play on stage and on many more albums, including live performances of "Bridge" with Simon & Garfunkel.
Sadly, he passed away on August 20, just a few weeks after his 69th birthday. His death didn't generate worldwide headlines, and there were no televised memorial services. But for people like me who tried to learn the details behind the songs we love so much, it is a great loss to the world of music.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" was the first song I clearly remember hearing in my life, and set me firmly on the path to learning to play piano. As literate as Paul Simon's lyrics were, as pure as Art Garfunkel's soaring voice, I remember also the amazing sound of the piano--as played by Mr. Larry Knechtel.
Mike
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