NUMBER ONE FLASHBACK

Bread was an American soft-rock band who enjoyed a height of popularity throughout a large part of the 1970's with such songs as "If", "Baby I'm-a-Want You", "Everything I Own" and  "It Don't Matter To Me". But the group reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart only once and that was with their breakout single, "Make It With You" which hit number one during this week fifty years ago.

David Gates was a singer/songwriter from Oklahoma and met fellow musician, Leon Russell playing around local clubs in the Tulsa area. They both decided to head out to Los Angeles to try their luck there. While Russell would forge his own musical path, Gates kicked around playing with a few bands before meeting bass guitarist, Robb Royer and guitar/keyboardist, Jimmy Griffin, who were also a songwriting team. The trio came together to form a band called "Bread" and signed with Elektra Records in 1969. 

Bread's first single, "Dismal Day" had a dismal outcome, failing to chart. Session drummer, Jim Gordon briefly joined the band during the recording of Bread's 1969 self-titled debut album and touring appearances. But Mike Botts, a drummer Gates had previously worked with, was asked to become a permanent member when Gordon had a scheduling conflict. 

With their second album, "On The Waters", Bread would achieve their first hit with the sensual ballad, "Make It With You". The single (written and sung by Gates) would find worldwide success, ranking number thirteen on the songs of 1970 chart and selling well over a million copies.

By 1973, Bread experienced what many rock groups have gone through when they have immediate success; the difficulties and stress of the recording/touring grind and the intense clash of egos would ultimately lead to the break-up of the band. The label would express a desire for another Bread album in 1976. And with enough time having passed so the members could put aside their differences, they were able to make that happen. 

"Lost Without Your Love" would be Bread's sixth studio album and the title track would be their final top-ten hit in 1977. However, while on road to support the album, all those previous personal tensions would flair back up and by the end of the tour, the band was once again toast.