Lawrence William Knechtel (August 4, 1940 – August 20, 2009) was an American keyboard player and bassist who was a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles–based session musicians who worked with such renowned artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees, the Partridge Family, Billy Joel, the Doors, the Byrds, the Grass Roots, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Presley.

Knechtel was proficient on other musical instruments, notably the harmonica, guitar, and bass, which can be heard on "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds, "Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand, "If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley, and the Doors' debut album.

During this time, Knechtel contributed guest spots on many recordings for dozens of Northwest artists including Wayman Chapman, Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M., Big Star), Quakers On Probation, Dimestore Mystery, Elba, Animals at Night, Zera Marvel, Colin Spring, Lesley Rostron & Lovejunkie, and his son, Lonnie Knechtel.

Knechtel died on August 20, 2009, in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Washington, at the age of 69 of an apparent heart attack.

[6] With The Everly Brothers • Beat & Soul ( Warner Brothers ,1965) With the Byrds With the We Three Trio With Barbra Streisand With the Beach Boys With The Doors With Elvis Presley With Cher With the Dameans With Simon & Garfunkel With Solomon Burke With the Mamas and the Papas With Emitt Rhodes With Elvis Costello With Paul Simon With Chet Baker With Dave Mason With Nancy Sinatra With Albert Hammond With Howard Roberts With Cass Elliott With Evie Sands With Thelma Houston With Glen Campbell With Jerry Garcia With Peter Allen With Harry Nilsson With Dan Hill With Barry Mann With Lalo Schifrin With Roy Orbison With Jimmy Webb With José Feliciano With Jackie DeShannon With Brian Cadd With Ron Davies With Bobby Darin With Art Garfunkel With Stephen Bishop With David Clayton-Thomas With Jackie Lomax With Billy Joel With Barry McGuire With Paul Young With Dolly Parton With Al Kooper With Johnny Rivers With John Denver With Chet Atkins With Helen Reddy With Joan Baez With Arlen Roth With Neil Diamond