Larry created hits. There was a period in the late 60's and early 70's where he, Hal Blaine and a handful of others were the go-to guys if you wanted your artist to have a chance at a hit.

Presented here is a small sample of the gold and platinum records Larry was awarded by grateful artists who knew that he was key to their success.

Monday, Monday Gold Single Award

Presented to Larry, who played keyboards on the #1 hit single of the Mamas and Papas, framed along with a small plaque reading "To Larry Knechtel for having a hand in this/The Mamas & The Papas & Lou" ("Lou" was producer Lou Adler).

Poor Side of Town Gold Single Award

Larry was a favorite of the rocker from Louisiana, Johnny Rivers, who presented Larry with this award for his piano work on Rivers' biggest hit single, #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1966. Framed along with a small plaque reading "To Larry Knechtel/Many thanks from Johnny Rivers". Later, Larry would provide the brilliant piano work for Rivers' smash, "Rockin' Pneumonia" single.

Aquarius Gold Single Award

Up - Up and Away Gold Single Award

Johnny Rivers produced it, the Fifth Dimension made it their first Top 10 hit in 1967, and guess who played piano on the tune? Larry Knechtel! Framed along with a small plaque reading "Presented to Larry Knechtel with much appreciation/1967 Grammy Award Record of the Year".

MacArthur Park Gold Single Award

Bookends RIAA Gold Album Award

Simon & Garfunkel's album held down the #1 position on Billboard's Hot Pop Albums chart for 7 weeks in 1968, selling 2 million copies in the process.

Mrs. Robinson RIAA Gold Single Award

The song from the movie The Graduate won Record of the Year for Simon & Garfunkel, and the Recording Industry Association of America presented this award to Larry to commemorate the sale of more than one million copies.

On the Waters RIAA Gold Album Award

Before Larry became a member of the band Bread, he worked with the group on its sophomore LP, and was presented with this award to commemorate the sale of more than $1 million worth of copies.

Baby I'm-A Want You RIAA Gold Album Award

The first Bread album that Larry played on as a full-fledged member became the band's most successful album, peaking at #3 on Billboard's Top Pop Albums chart and achieving Gold Record status, commemorated by this award from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Baby I'm-A Want You Platinum Album Award

This award to Larry commemorated the album achieving Platinum status. Framed along with a small plaque reading "To Larry Knechtel to honor Bread on the occasion of selling over one million albums of 'Baby I'm-A Want You'/Elektra Records".

Chevy Van RIAA Gold Single Award

An RIAA award presented to Larry to commemorate the sale of more than 1 million copies of the the Sammy Johns single, which he produced.

Best of Bread RIAA Gold Album Award

In 1973, the popular group Bread released this greatest hits compilation and it eventually became the band's highest-charting and biggest selling album of all-time. Presented to Larry to commemorate the sale of more than $1 million worth of copies of the album, an album that went on to sell over 5 million units.

Best of Bread Volume II RIAA Gold Album Award

Scarcely more than a year after the band's first greatest hits album went Gold, a second volume followed suit. This award was presented to Larry to commemorate the sale of more than $1 million worth of album copies.

Goodbye Girl BPI Platinum Album Award

After Bread disbanded in 1973, leader David Gates recorded solo, continuing (wisely, we might add) to use his former band mate on recording sessions. This British award commemorated the sale of more than 150,000 British pounds worth of David Gates' 1977 LP, which featured the title track from the film of the same name.

Never My Love Gold Single Award

One of the staples of Oldies radio was the great 1967 single by the Association, on which Larry Knechtel contributed piano work. This award commemorated the single going Gold. Framed along with a small plaque reading "Thanks, Larry/Two in a Row!/The Association and Bones".