David Essex

Essex has nevertheless continued to act and sing and enjoys a large fan base in the UK. His album, The David Gates Songbook, released in 2002, featured several new songs. However, by the time of his West End musical flop, Mutiny, based on the Mutiny on the Bounty story, in 1985, his appeal was on the wane. Having spent several years out of music altogether, Gates returned to the spotlight in the 1990s, and is still writing and performing. In 1978, Essex was Che Guevara in the original production of Evita, and in the same year appeared in the film Silver Dream Racer, all the while continuing his successful singing career. However, many of his songs have been successfully covered by other artists, including "If" (a huge hit for Telly Savalas) and "Everything I Own" (covered by, among others, Boy George). A number one hit and a follow-up film turned him into one of the UK's biggest stars. Gates' distinctive singing voice and boy-next-door good looks helped ensure his popularity.

It took a couple of years for his career to take off, which it did with his appearance in the film, That'll Be The Day (1973) and a major hit, "Rock On" (which he wrote himself), in the same year. After Bread split up, he composed the theme song for the Oscar-winning film, The Goodbye Girl. His big break came when he was selected to play the lead in the musical Godspell in 1971. Success came early, but it was with Bread that he gained a wide following and a string of hits including:. Born in London, real name David Cook, he failed in his first attempt at stardom. David Gates (born December 11, 1940) is a singer and songwriter, best known as the front man of the group, Bread (formed in 1967). Gates was born in Oklahoma, dropped out of college and married young, and set off for California to begin a career in music. David Essex (born July 23, 1947) is a British actor and singer who has enjoyed a varied career. "Lost without your Love" (1976).

"Everything I Own" (1972). "If" (1971). "Make it with You" (1970).