YAKIMA, Wash. - Award-winning musician Larry Knechtel, who recently called Yakima home, has died at the age of 69.

Knechtel performed live and in the studio with top-selling artists for nearly half a century.

Most recently, he played keyboard on the Grammy award-winning Dixie Chicks’ album “Taking the Long Way.” He was a key member of such groups as the Wrecking Crew and Bread.

Born in Bell, Calif., Knechtel also played with artists as diverse as Neil Diamond, Randy Newman and Elvis Costello.

Knechtel died Thursday at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Memorial services are pending.

— Leah Beth Ward