Breathe (British band)

Career

Originally a larger, five-piece called Catch 22, the members were childhood friends who went to Yateley School together in Hampshire where they lived. They later trimmed down to a quartet. Phill Harrison (bass) left to join the Fire Brigade. In 1984, singer David Glasper, guitarist Marcus Lillington, drummer Ian "Spike" Spice, and bass guitarist Michael "Mick" Delahunty began working on some demos. Those songs were introduced to personnel from the label Siren Records, and led to a recording contract with A&M Records. Breathe released their debut album, All That Jazz, in April 1988. The album contained the group's two best-known hits, "How Can I Fall?" and "Hands to Heaven". The former charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 3, and the latter at No. 2 in 1988 and at number 4 in the UK Singles Chart. "Hands" also ranked inside Billboard's 1988 Year-End Top 10 at No. 9.

Bassist Michael Delahunty left the group in 1988 as Breathe were about to reach the peak of their success, and the remaining three continued with promotion for the All That Jazz album and singles. Afterward, they continued with this line-up and released their second and final studio album Peace of Mind in August 1990.

Their sound was a combination of light jazz with some pop and soul, somewhat reminiscent of Air Supply and Rick Astley. However, the band's success was short-lived. Sales were low even though many radio stations played some tracks from the second release, Peace of Mind. They disbanded in 1992 because major record labels did not continue to promote them.

Drummer Ian "Spike" Spice died in 2000. David Glasper has made demonstration recordings posted on YouTube in the last few years. Marcus Lillington and Phil Harrison still play together in Stroke the Toad.

Personnel

Other