James Griffin

James Griffin

James Griffin, also known as Jimmy Griffin, is a singer, songwriter and guitarist associated with the soft rock group Bread. He forms part of the band’s original line-up with David Gates and Robb Royer, and he is one of Bread’s two main songwriters and vocalists. Royer leaves after the group’s third album, but Griffin continues to write with him after that.

Bread

In Bread, Griffin sings lead on his own songs and contributes harmony vocals throughout the group’s recordings. His writing includes tracks such as “Dream Lady”, “Just Like Yesterday” and “Look What You’ve Done”. He also contributes harder-edged material to the band’s sound. Although his songs are not chosen as singles, they remain part of Bread’s catalogue. Griffin wins an Academy Award for “For All We Know”, written under the name Arthur James, and the song becomes a major international hit for the Carpenters.

Bread reunites in 1976 for the album Lost Without Your Love, which includes several Griffin songs, and the group later breaks up again after touring. Griffin returns to the band for its final reunion tour in 1996 and 1997.

Solo and other projects

After Bread’s first split, Griffin records solo albums, including 1977’s Breakin’ Up Is Easy, which includes the title track and “She Knows”. He also works with Terry Sylvester of the Hollies as Griffin & Sylvester, forms Black Tie with Randy Meisner of the Eagles, and later joins The Remingtons, a country group that has some success in the United States. Griffin dies in 2005.