Bread is no longer an active band. The sources identify founding members David Gates and Robb Royer as the two surviving original members; James Griffin and drummer Mike Botts died in 2005, and bassist Larry Knechtel died in 2009. Current independent details about Gates’s and Royer’s work are limited, so older biographies should not be mistaken for a confirmed 2026 update.
Who is still alive from Bread?
David Gates and Robb Royer are the surviving original members identified by the available sources. The other three members most associated with Bread’s classic lineup—James Griffin, Mike Botts, and Larry Knechtel—have died.
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| Member | Role in Bread | What is known |
|---|---|---|
| David Gates | Founding member; singer-songwriter | Identified as a surviving original member. NPO Radio 2 described him as retired, but that report does not establish his activities as of October 2026. |
| Robb Royer | Founding member; left in 1971 | Identified as a surviving original member. NPO Radio 2 reported that he lived in Nashville and wrote songs for country artists; that biography does not confirm his present location or work. |
| James Griffin | Founding member; songwriter and singer | NPO Radio 2 reports that he died of cancer in 2005, aged 61. |
| Mike Botts | Drummer | NPO Radio 2 reports that he died of cancer in 2005, aged 61. |
| Larry Knechtel | Keyboardist and bassist; joined in 1971 | NPO Radio 2 reports that he died in 2009, aged 69. |
What are David Gates and Robb Royer doing now?
David Gates
Gates was Bread’s principal singer-songwriter and a founding member. Apple Music’s biography describes his solo work and recording activity historically, while NPO Radio 2 calls him retired. Neither account provides enough current, independently confirmed information to say what he is doing in 2026.
Robb Royer
Royer helped form Bread and left the group in 1971, when Larry Knechtel joined. NPO Radio 2’s biography associates Royer with Nashville and songwriting for country performers, but it is not a current confirmation of his whereabouts or professional activity.
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- Iconic Album: Rumours stands as one of the best-selling albums in music history, certified nineteen times platinum and widely regarded as the definitive album of the 1970s that transcends genre and generations
- Classic Tracks: Features timeless rock staples including Dreams, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, You Make Loving Fun, The Chain, and Gold Dust Woman, creating a collection that reads like a greatest hits package
- Legendary Performances: Showcases the magical collaboration of Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and the entire band delivering impeccable songwriting and passionate playing on every track
- Vinyl LP Format: This pressing captures the monumental 1977 album by the British-American rock band in authentic vinyl format, preserving the original sound quality and listening experience
- Musical Excellence: A vital rock album that succeeds through its exceptional composition and emotional depth, making it an essential addition to any music collection regardless of your preferred genre
How did Bread’s lineup and career unfold?
Bread formed in Los Angeles in 1968 around Gates, Griffin, and Royer. Botts joined later, and Knechtel replaced Royer in 1971. The group became known for melodic soft rock and songs such as “Make It with You,” “If,” “Baby I’m-a Want You,” “Everything I Own,” and “The Guitar Man.”
- 1968: Gates, Griffin, and Royer formed Bread in Los Angeles.
- 1971: Royer left, and Knechtel joined the lineup.
- 1973: Bread broke up following conflict between Gates and Griffin.
- Mid-1970s: The band reunited and released Lost Without Your Love in 1977.
- 1996–97: The original members toured together again; ClassicBands identifies this as their final period performing together.
The band’s commercial reach is summarized differently across sources. NPO Radio 2 describes Bread as having ten international hits and six gold albums in roughly four years, without giving the publication year for those figures. ClassicBands reports that The Best of Bread reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 200; the accessed page does not state the year of that peak.
Rank #2
- Records have been cleaned and new sleeved.
- 2 LP release.
- Made in Spain.
Is Bread reunited, or is there a tribute band?
Bread is not an active band, and TOAST – The Best of Bread is a separate tribute act. TOAST says its live show recreates Bread hits as well as solo material by Gates and Griffin. That description does not make it a reunited version of Bread; check the act’s own site for current performances and ticket information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you hear Bread’s songs?
The Best of Bread is a collection of Bread hits and David Gates solo material, according to Apple Music, and ClassicBands reports that it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 200. This identifies the collection, but does not establish the current availability or stock of any particular CD or vinyl edition.
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Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Hot Rocks 1964-1971 is the Rolling Stones' first anthology and one of their all-time best sellers
Rank #3
- Considered one of the greatest debut albums in rock history, Van Halen took the music world by storm in 1978 with an 11-song manifesto that features some of rock radio s most played songs of all time and scorching concert staples like "Runnin With The Devil," "Ain t Talkin Bout Love," "Jamie s Cryin ," the band s signature cover of The Kinks "You Really Got Me, " and Eddie Van Halen s finger-tapping tour de force, "Eruption."Mastering engineer Chris Bellman, who remastered the original albums at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, was enlisted for this new version. In order to produce the original sound the band intended, Bellman cut straight
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