Died On This Date (August 20, 2009) Larry Knechtel / L.A. Session Musician; Bread

Larry Knechtel
August 4, 1940 – August 20, 2009

LK_2Larry Knecthel was a Los Angeles session keyboardist and bassist who played on hits by the likes of the Doors, Simon & Garfunkel and the Beach Boys.  After spending a few years as part of Duane Eddy’s touring band in the early ’60s, Knechtel went to work in the studio with Phil Spector, adding his own mark to the legendary “wall of sound.”  Knechtel also played on several Doors records since they didn’t have their own bassist.  He joined the easy rock band, Bread in 1971.  In later years, Knecthel did session work for producer Rick Rubin, most notably on albums by the Dixie Chicks and Neil Diamond.  Larry Knechtel passed away in a Yakima hospital just two weeks after his 69th birthday.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist


Died On This Date (August 20, 2008) Phil Guy / Blues Guitarist; Brother Of Buddy Guy

Phil Guy
April 28, 1940 – August 20, 2008

Like his older brother Buddy Guy, Phil Guy was one of blues’ true greats.  Born in Louisiana, he too was a guitarist who eventually settled in Chicago and became synonymous with the sound that bears its name.  While in Chicago he played with such greats as Junior Wells before establishing his own recording career in the ’80s and ’90s.  Guy died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 68.

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Phil Guy

Died On This Date (August 20, 2010) Charles Haddon / Lead Singer of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool

Charles Haddon
DOB Unknown – August 20, 2010

Charles Haddon was the front man for up-and-coming English synth-pop band, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool.  Formed in 2009, the band released one album, Christ Died For Our Synths, which spawned three moderately popular singles.  One of which, “Dance The Way I Feel,” hit the top 20 in Australia, and the top 10 in England.  On August 20, 2010, the 22-year-old Haddon apparently jumped to his death from a high tower following Ou Est Le Swimming Pool’s performance at the Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium.  Some have speculated that he may have been distraught after severely injuring a fan during a stage dive in their earlier set.  Michael Been of The Call suffered a fatal heart attack on the previous day of the festival.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums

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Dance the Way I Feel - Ou Est Le Swimming Pool