Bread

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Bread was a ‘70’s rock and roll band from Los Angeles, California. They brought us the hit singles "Make It With You", "It Don’t Matter To Me" and "If". From 1970 until 1976 their songs held top spots in the US Billboard’s Top 40. In addition, their sixth album, The Best of Bread released in 1973 sold 20 million copies. In 1985, their tenth album, The Anthology of Bread sold 6 million copies.

BREAD

About

In 1967, David Gates, the band’s lead singer, met with fellow musicians James Griffin and Robb Royer. During that time, James and Robb were writing songs together as a team. After listening to each other’s songs, they decided to form a group and look for a deal collectively because they would do better as a group than independently. This group was known as Bread. They were joined in later by drummer Mike Botts and keyboardist Larry Knechtel.

Their first album, Bread (album), was released by Elektra Records in 1969. This album did not make good in terms of sales. But this did not dampen their spirits to come up with their next album. Their second album, On The Waters, released in 1970 became a breakout success. It contained the song, "Make It With You" which placed no. 1 in the BillBoard’s Top 40 in July of the same year.

Bread’s next three albums received Gold certifications from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). These were: Manna (1971), Baby, I’m-A Want You (1972) and Guitar Man (1972).

It was in 1972 when Robb Royer decided to leave the band to pursue other avenues in the music business. He was replaced by Larry Knechtel.

Much to the surprise of the fans and the music industry, the group decided to disband in 1973. Their constant recording and touring had caused them to burn out and personal relationships began to show strain. Dissatisfaction and disagreement arose with the songs planned for the sixth album. In view of this, they decided to retire the group instead of pushing on.

Setting their differences aside, Bread reformed in 1976 to work on their next album. Released in early 1977, their comeback album Lost Without Your Love received Gold certification from RIAA. The title track reached the Top 10 on the charts.

By 1978, Bread once again disbanded over creative issues and renewed tensions between Gates and Griffin.

In 1996, the band’s differences were settled. David Gates, James Griffin, Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel reunited Bread. They successfully toured the United States, South Africa, Europe and Asia.

Sadly, in 2005, both Botts and Griffin died of cancer.

BAND LINEUP:

• David Gates - Guitar, Keyboards, Bass and Vocals
• Jimmy Griffin - Guitar and Vocals; born 1943, died in 2005 due to cancer
• Robb Royer - On Guitar, Bass and Vocals; left the band after 3 albums in 1972
• Mike Botts – Drums, born in 1944, died in 2005 due to cancer
• Larry Knechtel - On Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Harmonica,

Awards & Certifications

Chart Toppers

Discography

Albums

Bread (album) 1969 Elektra Records	On The Waters 1970 Elektra Records	Manna 1971 Elektra Records	Baby I’m a Want You 1972 Elektra Records
Guitar Man 1972 Elektra Records	The Best of Bread 1973 Elektra Records	The Best of Bread, Vol. II 1974 Elektra Records	Lost Without Your Love 1977 Elektra Records
The Sound of Bread 1982 K-tel Records	Anthology of Bread 1985 Elektra Records	Retrospective 1996 Elektra Records	Make It With You and Other Hits 2002 Flashback Records
The Definitive Collection 2006 Elektra /Rhino Records

Other artists

Similar artists

Influences

Contemporaries

Trivia

• When the group were trying to think of a name, a bread truck came along. So they decided to call themselves “Bread”.

• David Gates, the band’s lead singer was already into songwriting and producing before the band was formed in 1968. His experience includes working with many leading artists such as Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Merle Haggard, Phil Spector and Brian Wilson.

• Robb Royer had co-written with Jim Griffin The Carpenter's "For All We Know", winning a 1970 Oscar for 'Song of the Year'.

• The group disbanded in 1973 but reunited in 1976. In 1977, they released their 8th album “Lost Without Your Love”. They disbanded again in 1978 only to reunite in 1996 for their succesful tour of the United States, South Africa, Europe and Asia.

Reviews

External Links

• Unofficial Site
• Bread Fans