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Article: LARRY KNECHTEL
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- September 25, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Pianist who played with two Elvises, Simon and Garfunkel, Phil
Spector and the Doors
In 1969, Paul Simon wanted to give his new composition, "Bridge
Over Troubled Water", some of the feel of a gospel song. He asked
the Los Angeles pianist Larry Knechtel to work on the first verse
with the vocalist Art Garfunkel. After four days, he was impressed
with the result and the way Knechtel had interpreted his
composition. It prompted him to write a third verse, although he
subsequently felt that the lyrics were not as strong as the first
two. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" became an international best-
seller, topping the charts in both Britain and America. Knechtel was
invited on tour, and Simon ...