Bread

Not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Eligible since: 1995

First Recording: 1969

Previously Considered? No  what's this?

Bread
HALL OF FAME INDICATORS
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Albums
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Songs
🔲Rolling Stone Cover
🔲Saturday Night Live
🔲Major Festival Headliner
🔲Songwriters Hall of Fame
🔲“Big Four” Grammys

Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
If (1971)
The Guitar Man (1972)
Everything I Own (1972)

Bread @ Wikipedia

Will Bread be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
"Musical excellence is the essential qualification for induction."
Yes: 
No :


Comments

40 comments so far (post your own)

I hate people who say they are not hard enough to be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. It's rock! You have hard rock, soft rock, blue rock, purple rock, out of your rear-end rock! Who cares! It's not to your taste! These guys were important contributors to soft rock. And I'll say it again, soft rock is ROCK. I don't think Frank Sinatra would have appreciated hearing that slight rock influence when he went into the chorus of Everything I Own. Rock is about that chord, or that beat that you hit, or note. Anyways, plus David Gates contributed some timeless songs. Really. And they have a rare quality to them that not many artists can produce. They have incredible melody.

And for those who are uneducated about Bread to say they were an all-around soft rock band, you couldn't be more far behind. In fact, they usually opened up with Mother Freedom on a tour because there were girls that would take their boyfriends to see them and they didn't want to let them down. I believe the female crowd would quiet down after they played that, and THEN they would go straight into Baby I'm-A Want You and stuff like that. Their guitarist was incredible.

Posted by Jacob N on Thursday, 04/9/2015 @ 16:13pm


They should be in! James Taylor is in. Bonnie Raitt is in. Joni Mitchell is in. So that blows away the soft rock genre argument. They wrote their own songs. They influenced thousands of musicians to pick up and play. And their material is strong. Put them in. Not only that but they were as popular in the 1970s as Cat Dtevens or Linda Ronstadt

Posted by Mark on Saturday, 09/3/2016 @ 18:37pm


I think there's an argument for David Gates & Bread in the RRHOF. They had gold albums and were early pioneers of the soft rock or California easy rock of the early 70's. Guitar Man is such a great song. People might try to dismiss Bread and other of the soft rock groups but plenty of artists have covered their songs. I've seen some concerts where there guitars really rock out on Guitar Man & Down On My Knees. David Gates was as good a 70's singer-songwriter as those inducted in RRHOF. I think David Gates one of the only band members still alive. Deserving of induction. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 08:17am


No KING, they were not early pioneers of soft rock. If nothing else, both the Association and the New Colony Six both predate Bread in that regard. And as far as more important or influential, the Carpenters are far ahead of Bread in that category.

Posted by Philip on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 17:50pm


Thanks for the write-up Philip. I think The Association were/are one fine band. Mesmerizing vocals. Have one of their 2000 year concerts. Can still get it done vocally. Now that Prog has been represented in RRHOF recently Deep Purple, ELO, Rush, YES etc, it might be time for RRHOF committee to examine some of the overlooked genres: Soft Rock, Country Rock, maybe some of the R & B type groups Bill G. was speaking of.

Maybe, it still some years away (nomination) but Bread had some success in the 70's amassing 6 or 7 gold albums. I think the Best of Bread went multi-platinum as well. You made a good point with The Carpenters. It's a shame Karen died young. Had she stayed alive, I think The Carpenters would probably have been nominated maybe inducted already. Remember seeing Karen behind the drums too. Talented musicians. I think The Association and Bread are in the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. That's a very high honor if they don't receive RRHOF induction. Thanks for your intelligent music posts on this forum. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 20:46pm


Agree King, soft rock has been overlooked by the HOF. It's hard to draw a line between singer/songwriter types and "soft rock", but I'd like to see the Carpenters, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Dan Fogelberg, Jim Croce, America, and Glen Campbell get some attention.

Posted by Classic Rock on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 21:34pm


KING, you're right about their VGHoF inductions. The Association were in 2003, and Bread in 2006, if I remember correctly. I remember when I read about Bread being inducted, I thought it was a pretty lame choice. Problem was, if you're mostly familiar with the BIG hits, you don't know their abilities to harmonize. Even "Everything I Own", the harmonies were a little vague. You really have to go album deep on them to find their harmonies. In addition to my Rock Hall CDs, I also have a VGHoF set of homemade CDs, and for Bread, I chose "Let Your Love Go," which is very atypical of their general style, but it was a hit with very noticeable harmonies. lol.

Classic Rock, it'd be nice to see, but I think if they do they'll be VERY picky. Besides which, John Denver, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, and probably Dan and Glen would fall pretty comfortably in the pet "singer/songwriter" category. Although, honestly, Lightfoot and Fogelberg would be terrible calls. Worse than Cat Stevens.

Posted by Philip on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 22:34pm


Classic Rock

Singer songwriter were in the soft rock section. John Denver and Glen Campbell were in the country section even though I would consider them actually soft rock. The problem is that a lot of music in the 70's was a fusion of rock, folk, country and blues.

Some others would be: Don McClean, Melanie, Anne Murray, Helen Ready, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, First Edition, Jim Stafford and Loggins & Messina.

Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Steve Goodman and John Prine would be folk.

Philip

No Gordon Lightfoot? Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is classic.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 23:16pm


A few more

Harry Chapin, England Dan and John Ford Coley, Dr Hook and the Medicine Show, Seals and Crofts, Dan Hill and Lobo

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 04/24/2017 @ 23:55pm


Sorry Zuzu, "Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" is an awful, awful song. I hate pretty much every Lightfoot song I've ever heard. "If You Could Read My Mind" is the most tolerable, but even then, I change the station if it comes on.

That said, if we want to start including more soft rock bands (inducting more acts than singer/songwriters), we need to hold them to the same metrics we hold other acts to. For me, it's the 4 I's. For others, it's about making sure to induct those who elevate it as an art form, and not just backseat smooching pap.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 04/25/2017 @ 00:45am


Philip

We are all entitled to our own tastes. I feel the same way about Hallelujah. It's in these instances that we need to check what other artist thinks to be objective. He is one of 4 Canadian artist from the era that need to be inducted.

Makeout music would eliminate several r&b artist including Barry White.


Soft rock is a good area to ensure that more women are inducted into the hall. If enough pressure is put on the hall it is a possibility that they will have a year dedicated to women. If they do you have to include Helen Ready because I am Woman would be the closing song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-FMWnkH1IQ

Posted by Zuzu on Tuesday, 04/25/2017 @ 12:17pm


Barry White was not pap. That's the distinction I was trying to make. Love songs have their place. But just as not every arena or classic rocker deserves induction, nor does every soft rock act that scored hits.

Also, I hope you're not suggesting that the Hall needs to make a point to induct Canadians. If an artist is worthy, they're worthy whether they're Canadian, American, Laotian, Congolese, or Kazakh.

As for Helen Reddy.... the thought of the All-Star Jam being "I Am Woman" is fiendishly delightful, but it would raise the question, what if any distinctions do we draw between MOR pop and "soft rock"?

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 04/25/2017 @ 22:00pm


I was referring to 4 Canadian artist I feel should be inducted: The Guess Who, BTO, Gordon Lightfoot and Dan Aykroyd as part of the Blues Brothers.

I know you disagree on Gordon Lightfoot but look at what some artist say about his work. They are some of the same artist that had good things to say about Leonard Cohen.

https://www.lightfoot.ca/influcby.html

In the 70s rock didn't have its own chart. Pop was pretty much what was marketed to the kids or adults.

Look at some of the songs Helen recorded.

I Don't Know How to Love Him - a song from the rock opera, Jesus Christ Super Star

Delta Dawn - also recorded by Linda Ronstadt

I Am Woman - The anthem of the Women's Movement. She just sang it at the Women's March in LA. It's a protest song. Protest songs are not pop.

Listening to the Very Best of Helen Reddy album on youtube - most of the songs have blues, r&b or country elements which is in line with rock fusion and not pop



Posted by Zuzu on Wednesday, 04/26/2017 @ 00:38am


Great write-up Zuzu on some of the soft rock groups and singer-songwriters. I'm surprised Gordon Lightfoot has not been inducted. Bob Dylan has sang Lightfoot's presence on a few occasions and he made some classic songs Sundown, The Wreck of the E.F, If You Could Read My Mind.
Philip brought some good discussion on the metrics qualifications of the Soft Rock groups just like any genre. There was a dozen of these groups in the 70's. Difficult to see who influenced who as some had different offshoots. Anne Murray had a very successful career. She's underrated at this point. I'd like to see Three Dog Night inducted someday. Loved the vocals and One is one of the best songs.
My FAV groups range in the hard rock and metal genre AIC, Def Leppard, Scorpions etc but also Counting Crows, Bryan Adams, and U2. Nirvana was a FAV of mine but Kurt died. They could have put out some killer material in the 90's and 2000's.
Another underrepresented area is the female vocal legends or for lack of a better word "Divas". Annie Lennox,Celine Dion, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey,Pat Benatar,Whitney Houston,etc. I'd like to see Stevie Nicks inducted twice. KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 04/26/2017 @ 06:33am


I'm an advocate for Bread and the Association, as well as singer/songwriters like Lightfoot, Fogelberg, McClean, and especially Denver.

I look at the hall as a sort of giant book on the history of rock and roll, with each genre as having its own chapter. If we were to have a chapter on Soft Rock, I think Bread, along with the Carpenters among others, would have to be included. So thats what shifts my leaning on Bread towards yes.

Posted by Steve Z on Wednesday, 04/26/2017 @ 09:29am


Zuzu,

Some good points you raise. I kinda smirk at mentioning Linda Ronstadt. Yeah, she's inducted now, but in this little circle, her merits have always been regarded as a little tenuous, dubious even. As for Helen Reddy, part of the trepidation is that she was such a major presence with the chart setup we now call Adult Contemporary, then I believe named "Easy Listening," which was originally meant to be the outlet and listing for artists such as Sinatra, Como, Conniff, Mantovani, and the populace that preferred those artists to the rock acts that their kids and/or grandkids were listening to. Although, that was the point of calling the Carpenters worthy... blending rock and "Easy Listening" sensibilities. I'm on board with the Guess Who and BTO too.

Steve Z, still not there on Bread. I know they preceded America, but imo, they were were in the same arenas as them, but they weren't as good or artistic as America. Not sold on Fogelberg either, but McLean and Denver would be decent calls. Denver would be a good call to put more country-influenced stuff in the Hall too.

Posted by Philip on Wednesday, 04/26/2017 @ 23:02pm


Thanks for the compliments.

Philip,

My dad who was in his early 40's had Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Janis Joplin and Carole King in his record collection. Also consider that the Eagles and Carole King charted on AC. That's why you have to look at who the music is being marketed to. Jesus Christ Superstar was highly controversial because it showed Jesus as a man and that song was one that Mary Magdalene was singing about Jesus - it was meant for teens and young adults - it was a rock opera.

I think that the women are questioned speaks loudly for the need to have a nomination committee
that is more balanced with men and women. I consider the women who are currently on the committee nothing more than Landau's handpicked yes girls.


New Colony 6 is considered a garage band. It came out at #5 on Forgotten Hits poll of greatest garage bands of all time.

http://www.forgottenhits.com/your_top_50_all-time_favorite_garage_bands

By the way they are not included in the list of artist.




Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 05/1/2017 @ 00:06am


Zuzu,

I wasn't really disparaging JCS, in fact, I don't think I commented on it.

I think we can all agree that the '70s was the decade when rock and roll really began to merge with the "Easy Listening" sound. Sure, there were bits and pieces in the latter half of the '60s, but it really began to become commonplace in the '70s. Hence, you have artists like the Eagles, Carole King, etc. charting on that chart during that decade. As I said above, I think the Carpenters are a large part of what made that happen, along with the Association.

As far as "women being questioned," I think you might be jumping to conclusions. Or I am. I have a list of women I would like to see inducted, those I'd consider more deserving than Helen Reddy. It's not that I'm against Reddy, I just think there are other women who did more for rock and roll who need to be enshrined first. Although, that is the common fallacy of "No X Before Y." It just happens because pecking orders happen. As far as women on the NomComm... I'm all for it. As far as not being Landau's puppets, well, that's just another dimension to the "private club" mentality that the Hall is so often accused of having. You could say the same thing about some of the men on the Committee too.

Funny tangent about the "garage band." It really is a testament to how terms and styles evolve. I once heard "Vehicle" by the Ides Of March referred to as a "heavy metal" styled song. But no one would consider it metal by standards now. So too, the term "garage band" has evolved greatly to now be applied to alternative bands. It was even applied to grunge acts, supposedly, at one point. I remember being in a discussion about garage bands on another forum many years ago. I brought up ? And The Mysterians, and was rewarded with a shower of eye-rolling emoticons, and replies of "Get real" and "Be serious." But fwiw, when a list calls the Shadows Of Knight a greater garage band than Them, I have to seriously question its credibility.

Posted by Philip on Monday, 05/1/2017 @ 02:24am


If I can step back from the debate of misogyny and get back more to soft rock, since this is the thread about Bread, a band that had no women, I think some of the explanation is simply more instinctual than we care to admit sometimes.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame prefers to salute the music that had an "edge" to it. However you may choose to define that, soft rock probably isn't going to fall under that definition. Whether it's pushing the social envelope, or an edgy sounding guitar riff, or edgy beat, soft rock probably isn't going to check any of those boxes.

That isn't even getting into the "softening" that happens when rockers age either, such as Aerosmith going from "Rag Doll" to "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing." The idea that rock and roll is the music that keeps us young forever, or makes us feel young... however you say it, soft rock is wrongfully associated with growing old, which according to the Who, is worth than death. Which is funny, because they do draw a line between soft rock and power ballads, it seems.

Posted by Philip on Monday, 05/1/2017 @ 02:49am


Philip
Excellent soft rock genre talk and R&B consideration nominees this week. Credit to the FRL regulars. I've listened again to about a dozen Bread songs or singles. They still hold up in 2017. I think there must be some line drawn between the soft rock and the singer-songwriters. The RRHOF has inducted Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor and Cat Stevens among others. Don't think any of them have a Judas Priest or Megadeth power type song.

The Nomination Committee September meetings must be interesting and fascinating. I know they talked about it before that each member can nominate 2 singers or groups. Then, there's a couple of further votes which leads to the final group of 15+ nominees. I guess Bread or The Carpenters need a strong advocate on the Committee. Somebody who will help get Bread on the ballot. We have recently witnessed with Enig's Prog groups. ELO, Rush & YES finally received induction. Some of the Prog Adjacent groups Deep Purple as well. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 05/1/2017 @ 08:34am


The Bread songbook one of the best of the 70's thanks to this brilliant collection of musicians. Diary,Everything I Own, Look What You've Done, Let Your Love Go, Mother Freedom, etc. David Gates was one of the finest 70's singers and songwriters. James Griffin could sing and play guitar and made Bread a powerful 1-2 punch. They had a strong decade run and will receive one of my 20 nomination spots on 2017 ballot. Incredible and musically excellent. KING

Posted by KING on Friday, 05/12/2017 @ 22:30pm


On Bread: I'm amazed Bread has been eligible for Induction nearly 25 years ago now. David Gates & Bread had several 70's hits as well as Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, etc. All 3 of them have been nominated and inducted. I wonder why hasn't Bread been nominated considering David Gates brilliance as a singer/songwriter. The Bread group were blessed with outstanding musicians at every instrument. Several Bread members could play several different instruments. The number of hits is strong including: Diary, Let Your Love Go,Look What You've Done, Make It With You, etc. I think David Gates is the only main member still around. Bread was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. I'm thinking what do you consider the factors that you believe Bread deserves a nomination...Or what are some reasons Bread does not deserve a nomination? It seems the Soft Rock or laid back California sound could use some representation in the Hall. KING

Posted by KING on Friday, 09/21/2018 @ 13:04pm


King

The hall needs to nominate artist from the softer side of rock. Bread is a good choice. I would also consider Dr Hook and First Edition as good candidates too. I think the Carpenters were too pop.

Posted by Zuzu on Friday, 09/21/2018 @ 14:49pm


Bread songs have stood the test of time and I doubt many of these new groups will have songs that endure like Bread's. The brilliance of songwriter/guitarist/singer David Gates and James Griffin were a powerful 1-2 punch. Mr. Gates just turned 78 this December. I pray they are inducted before he should go with the Lord. It's amazing how many bands have covered Bread's songs similar to Tommy James and the Shondells. My guess Bread is in a similar position as The Fifth Dimension, Foreigner,The Guess Who, Procol Harum etc. There's a backlog of deserving bands that just need to get on the ballot. Procol Harum was nominated once. All the Bread members are/were gifted musicians and deserving of the Hall. It would also be pretty easy for members. You could put the 4 main guys in and maybe stretch it out to Parks or Royer. What do you think are the pros and cons for a Bread nomination and induction? Hope you FRL regulars enjoyed Christmas time. KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 12/26/2018 @ 01:33am


They popularized soft rock and David Gates is a velvet voiced gifted songwriter. He's the only one left so they should go in next opportunity before he dies too.

Posted by grahamjoseph on Sunday, 09/1/2019 @ 09:56am


That's the most bee ess reason to 'honor' someone- "Let's induct this long-forgotten act (over hundreds of more deserving ones), because their leader might die soon!"

Posted by KXB on Sunday, 09/1/2019 @ 10:08am


BREAD musically excellent and should be inducted.
A handful of Gold records. They would have been inducted but they lost some years over the Bread ownership in court. Then, the band went separate ways. David Gates and the rest of the band were all musically gifted. So many Bread songs were covered by artists. Many great songs..... Look What You've Done, Fancy Dancer, Guitar Man, etc. I'd take those songs over some of the stuff that passes for music today. A David Gates salute! KING 👑

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/1/2019 @ 11:50am


11 top 15 songs.1 number 1 song.I think that speaks for itself

Posted by James Pruitt on Thursday, 09/5/2019 @ 20:58pm


Good musicians, quality songwriting. So what if they're a bit soft around the edges? Quality deserves recognition and Bread were one of the 70s most consistent quality bands. David Gates is now the only surviving member.

Posted by Jason Marley on Tuesday, 04/21/2020 @ 20:56pm


Yes, Bread were extremely popular in the early to mid 70's. They had a string of hits, great songs, and quality albums. The Baby, I'm A Want You album, that I must have gotten as a Christmas present at 11 or 12, is excellent. I had just watched the Bread 1978 Live TV Special on YT, over the weekend, which is outstanding. I think Bread is in that vague, borderline gray area, when it comes to Hall of Fame. First you would probably have to have Three Dog Night inducted, and also the Guess Who, Tommy James and The Shondells, and then you also have The Grass Roots, America, Grand Funk Railroad, and I am sure many more who are in orbiting mode around the possibility for nomination. Heck, look how many years it took for The Doobie Brothers, but at least they are finally in.. Thank God..

Posted by Will N. on Tuesday, 04/21/2020 @ 21:24pm


One of my favorite 70s bands. David Gates could sing the phonebook and I'd listen. The hall of fame probably won't honor them, but I will.

Posted by Steelydanfan on Thursday, 09/3/2020 @ 11:55am


If they exclude the "soft rock" genre, why don't they change their official name to "HARD" ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME? Besides, other soft rock musicians have already been inducted; overlooking BREAD will be a glaring omission & a big mistake by the R&R Hall of Fame selection committee.

Posted by Sepp Eisenmann on Tuesday, 10/20/2020 @ 02:54am


If they exclude the "soft rock" genre, why don't they change their official name to "HARD" ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME? Besides, other soft rock musicians have already been inducted; overlooking BREAD will be a glaring omission & a big mistake by the R&R Hall of Fame selection committee.

Posted by Sepp Eisenmann on Tuesday, 10/20/2020 @ 02:56am


Happy birthday David Gates. 80 years young today!

Posted by chubaka on Thursday, 12/10/2020 @ 23:29pm


Here is a list of songs that make them worthy of HOF
1. Make it with you
2. Baby, I'm a want you
3. Guitar Man
4. If
5. Lost without Your Love
6. Everything I own
7. Diary
8. Aubrey
9. Sweet Surrender
10. She's the only one
This list by itself is worthy but consider that just because they weren't hard rock is no reason to disqualify them. Many HOFers were different genres. Abba, Chet Atkins, Joan Baez, the Bee Gees, David Bowie, Carole King all members, none of which exactly Hard Rock. Name 10 Joan Baez or David Bowie songs that were as successful. Yes! they belong in the Hall of Fame So does Bread!

Posted by Wesley Eskildsen on Tuesday, 04/19/2022 @ 02:17am


Além do merecimento de David Gates por seus inumeros sucessos o Bread contava com o subestimado Griffin que foi um dos maiores vocalistas do rock e que compunha pérolas como Take confort, Look what youve done, Just like yesterday e Dream Lady

Posted by Rick Jones Anderson (Brazil) on Sunday, 06/26/2022 @ 01:27am


Hell yeah Bread should have been in the RRHOF years ago same goes for the Association if Great musicians vocalist writers and talented count for anything!

Posted by James Huseby on Sunday, 11/6/2022 @ 03:29am


Bread should absolutely be inducted to the RRHOF. Their songs may have been primarily soft rock but it was still Rock. I would hate to think they would be overlooked since they contributed so many great songs. Nothing like a great Bread song playing on the tape deck in your car with a beautiful young lady snuggled up next to you at the lookout point over the city on a Saturday night!

Posted by Darold Riley on Thursday, 11/24/2022 @ 04:32am


Essential Songs:

"Make It With You" (1970)
"It Don't Matter to Me" (1970)
"Baby I'm A-Want You" (1971)
"Lost Without Your Love" (1976)

Posted by Bookhouse on Wednesday, 03/15/2023 @ 11:01am


Bread and Carpenters are Soft ROCK and LL Cool J si just Rap, Rap by the side you want to see never you find in it a little bit piece of someting close to deserve be named ROCK as soft ROCK. People who think whatereve different this is totally wrong it doesn't matter who works" in Rock Hall of Fame,

Posted by Beto Quarry on Friday, 12/22/2023 @ 01:20am


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