Larry Van Kriedt

Larry Van Kriedt, a name that resonates in the corridors of rock history, has lived several lifetimes in music, transcending genres and geographies while leaving an indelible mark on each. Born in San Francisco in 1954, Van Kriedt's extraordinary journey began across the starkly contrasting soundscapes of jazz and rock, having been shaped significantly by his musician father, David Van Kriedt, a notable jazz saxophonist himself. His foundational years were spent absorbing the eclectic blend of sounds echoing through the San Francisco Bay Area, a region poised on the brink of the flower power movement and steeped in a legacy of beatnik avant-garde. It was amidst such fertile cultural ground that Larry Van Kriedt was first seduced by the soulful lament of the saxophone, an instrument he would eventually master, but it was the bass guitar that charted his path into rock 'n' roll history. In the early 1970s, the musical landscape was being reshaped by a ferocious new sound — one loud enough to quell the lingering echo of psychedelic rock. Van Kriedt found himself in the right place, at the right time. His connection with the burgeoning Australian rock scene was forged through his surprising role as the original bassist for AC/DC, one of the world's most iconic rock bands. Van Kriedt was introduced to the group by producer Harry Vanda and manager George Young, the siblings of AC/DC's founding members: Angus and Malcolm Young. In December 1973, Van Kriedt joined the newly formed band just as they were beginning to sculpt their raw sound. During the band's formative months, he played an integral role, joining Angus Young and Dave Evans to launch AC/DC into the rock stratosphere. Although his tenure with AC/DC was brief, his contribution was foundational; the blues-infused rock that he helped to shape would become the backbone of their explosive style. However, the ebb and flow of Van Kriedt's career did not remain tethered to one genre or geography. Following his departure from AC/DC, he embarked on a musical odyssey that would take him across the world. He relocated back to the United States and diversified his artistic portfolio, immersing himself in various musical contexts. Fluent in jazz and a master of improvisation, Van Kriedt seamlessly transitioned between genres, finding solace and expression in music's versatility. Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, he played with a litany of bands, flexing his multi-instrumentalist muscles by not only playing the bass but also the saxophone and guitar. His adaptability enabled him to collaborate with a wide array of artists, from stylistically diverse enclaves of the San Francisco music scene to the bustling soundscape of New York City. In New York, Van Kriedt became an integral part of the vibrant jazz and world music scenes. Performing in underground clubs and avant-garde gatherings, he connected with other musicians who were pushing the boundaries of traditional sound. This period was marked by a confluence of artistic endeavors and personal exploration, with each performance offering a piece of Larry's evolving narrative. Van Kriedt’s musical journey is not merely defined by these transitional periods but also by his profound contributions to songwriting and production. His innate ability to capture the zeitgeist of his surroundings in his music, combined with his professional experience, ushered in opportunities to produce and write for other artists. His work reflects a quintessential understanding of music as a universal language, manifest in his collaborations with artists from diverse musical backgrounds. In the ensuing decades, Larry Van Kriedt's itinerant lifestyle continued to shape his artistic vision. He has recorded solo albums, blending rock, jazz, and ambient music, creating rich soundscapes that serve as a testament to his vast musical repertoire. His later projects, such as "The Big Beat" and the experimental "Bass, Sax & Drums," underscore his commitment to innovation and his undying love for music's transformative power. Despite playing a behind-the-scenes role in many of his later projects, Van Kriedt’s influence remains pervasive. He has crafted a life in music where commercial success is secondary to artistic exploration, reflecting his belief in authenticity over fleeting fame. His story is a portrait of an artist who has continually reinvented himself, listening intently to the rhythmic pulse of each new era and adapting his craft accordingly. Larry Van Kriedt's journey underscores the profound impact one individual can have across diverse sectors of the musical tapestry. With each note played and every chord strummed, Van Kriedt has woven a narrative steeped in curiosity and exploration — a narrative that not only charts the history of a singular musician but also reflects the broader evolution of music itself. As he continues to explore new dimensions of his artistry, Van Kriedt remains a living testament to the timeless power of genuine musical versatility.