David Gates and Bread
Johnny Marr is an English musician, songwriter, and singer (born Johnny Martin Maher) in Manchester in October 1963 and at the age of 13 formed his first band, the Paris Valentinos. He played in several bands, the most recent being Freak Party. But by early 1982, after losing their singer, Marr approached Rob Allman, the singer with White Dice. He showed little interest and instead suggested Steven Morrissey, the singer with the Nosebleeds. In May, and through a third-party it was arranged for Marr to meet Morrissey at his home. They seemed to hit it off and with Marr’s first bass player, Andy Rourke, and Mike Joyce on drums they formed the Smiths.
Within months they signed to Rough Trade Records and in May 1983 released their first single “Hand in Glove.” Now with an ever-growing fan base they recorded their first album, which was released in early 1984 and reached number two in the UK Chart. This was quickly followed by their second album, the controversial, “Meat is Murder.”
Their third album “The Queen Is Dead” was awarded the accolade by Spin magazine as being one of the greatest albums ever made. This resulted in the NME dubbing the Smiths the most important rock band of all time.
Marr's guitar sounds are instantly recognisable, with his jangly Rickenbacker and Fender Telecaster and synonymous with the Smith’s sound. Marr said, when performing with the band, he wanted to play a music which was pop. "100% of my focus was on providing interesting guitar hooks and putting some kind of space-age twist on the guitarist's role. The pop guitarist crossed with the mad professor. That's how I thought of myself."
In early 1986, Rourke was fired by the band for his use of heroin, but within weeks he was reinstated. But other problems were already looming and despite their continued success, personal differences within the band and the increasingly strained relationship between Morrissey and Marr created a huge problem.
Marr left the group in July 1987, and despite auditions to find a replacement no one was considered suitable. So, by the time their next tranche of music was released the band had long split.
One of the reasons given by Morrissey was the fact that Marr was working and recording with other artists, however, he later told Tim Samuels, a BBC journalist, that it was due to the lack of a managerial figure and business problems.
Marr's guitar playing had a massive effect on many of the Manchester bands that followed the Smiths including: John Squire - Stone Roses, Noel Gallagher - Oasis, and no doubt many more. He has since performed with numerous other bands and singers including: the Pretenders, Pet Shop Boys, collaborating with Hans Zimmer, on film soundtracks, Talking Heads. Joss Stone, Bryan Ferry and so many more.
In 2010 in a poll conducted by the BBC, Marr was voted the fourth-best guitarist of the last 30 years and Phil Alexander, editor-in-chief of Mojo described him as "arguably Britain's last great guitar stylist." In 2013, the NME, honoured Marr with its "Godlike Genius" award: "Not content with rewriting the history of music with one of the world's greatest ever bands, the Smiths, he's continued to push boundaries and evolve throughout his career, working with some of the best and most exciting artists on the planet."
Despite several attempts at reforming the Smiths it seems very unlikely.
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BY-------Graham Sclater
The wonderful music recorded by Los Angeles, band, Bread is synonymous with melodic,
well-crafted songs. The band was the brainchild of singer, songwriter and
multi-instrumentalist David Gates from Tulsa Oklahoma and both of his parents were
musicians.
David Gates released his first solo record, “Jo Baby” and “Lovin’ at Night” with little
success but his friendship with fellow musician, Leon Russell took them to California. It
was there that Gates recorded his first album with the band, Pleasure Fair for the UNI
record label which failed to chart. But weeks later, Gates was introduced to Jimmy Griffin
by fellow musician Rob Royer and the trio signed to Electra Records in 1969.
All three members were multi-instrumentalists: David Gates, on vocals, bass, keyboards, violin, and percussion, Jimmy Griffin, vocals, guitar, keyboards and percussion, and Robb Royer, on bass guitar, guitar and flute.
From the start there were issues as Gates’ songs were chosen by Elektra Records for the “A” sides while the three of them were credited for the “B” sides. Still undecided on a name for the group they spotted a bread van drive past and that was it, Bread it was.
Their first single “Dismal Day” was released in June 1969 but did not chart. This was followed by their first album “Bread,” but only managed to peak at number 127 on the Billboard 200. In July 1969 they appeared in concert for the first time at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood. In July 1970 they released their second album “On the Waters,” which peaked at number 12 in the Billboard 200. This established them as a major act and their single “Make it With You” reached number one on the Hot 100 and a hit in the UK and Europe. This was followed up with yet another hit, the slow haunting ballad, “It Don’t Matter to Me.”
The band began to tour and released their third album “Manna” in March 1971 with more hit songs including, “If” and “Let Your Love Go.” But again like so many groups we’ve written about there were differences and Royer left the band. However they continued to tour and record and in January 1972, they released their most successful album, entitled “Baby I’m A Want You,” which was also the title of their hit single and tracks Everything I Own” which many years later was also a hit for Ken Boothe.
Ten months later they released yet another album entitled “Guitar Man,” which reached number 18 on the Billboard charts and featured three hit singles.
Between 1969 and 1970 all eleven hits had been written and sung by Gates and Griffin felt his songs should have been released as “A” sides but their demise came for a totally different reason. Following a fire in 1973 which destroyed their equipment they decided to disband.
They have reunited several times in different guises In 1978, Gates enjoyed success as a solo artist with the hit singles "Goodbye Girl," from the film of the same name.
So many of their great songs continue to be released on compilations and in 2006 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
In my opinion David Gates’ skillful songwriting and voice is one of the reasons they were so successful.
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