James Griffin

The late Jimmy Griffin was an influential member of the 70's soft-rock group, Bread. He was the other major songwriter, often teaming up with Robb Royer, who started with Bread but left after their third album. Although Jimmy's songs were never chosen as the singles, he wrote many memorable tracks, including 'Dream Lady', 'Just Like Yesterday' and 'Call Me'; tracks which often added a harder edge to their sound. He sang lead vocals on all his songs; his voice lending a more soulful sound to Bread's usual softer image. Jimmy also won an Academy award, for writing the song 'For All We Know', under the pseudonym Arthur James. This became an major international hit for the Carpenters in the 1970's. Bread re-formed in 1976 for a last album - 'Lost Without Your Love', which again featured many Griffin songs, but the re-formed group did not last long. After Bread finally split up, he produced a couple of solo albums, including 1977's 'Breakin' Up Is Easy', which featured some great songs, including the title song and 'She Knows'. He also collaborated with Terry Sylvester of the Hollies. In later life he joined the Remingtons, who had a degree of success in the USA, and formed Black Tie, with Randy Meisner of the Eagles. He also toured with Bread on a few occasions He died in 2005.