- 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.
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