Toby Gad: “I was a very bad father for the first few years”

interview

Toby Gad
“I was a very bad father for the first few years”

Whether it’s Madonna, 63, Beyoncé, 40, or John Legend, 43, – the biggest stars trust Toby Gad, 53. The native of Munich is now one of the most important composers and songwriters in the USA. Few know him in his old homeland. Or better: knew. Because now he is sitting next to Florian Silbereisen, 40, and Ilse DeLange, 44, on the jury of the RTL casting show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar”. Often in a colorful shirt and with a beaming smile. His life wasn’t funny for a long time before he moved to the USA in 2001. In his biography “All Of Me”, Gad talks about his hippie mother, who left the family, about poverty, setbacks – but also huge success.

Despite his success in the USA, almost nobody in Germany knows Toby Gad

GALA: Is it strange for you to have to explain yourself in Germany?

Toby Gad: No, not at all. I am happy that this gives me an opportunity to look back on my life, on this wild journey, on this hard struggle. Only now did I realize that my whole life was made of dreams – every song, every step.

Music carries her through life.

Yes, you can say that. I started a band with my older brother in my early childhood, but he was more talented than me, he was the young superstar of Munich. I’ve always tried to get to him. But it was never good enough, in my first twelve years I had to give more and more. This race to catch up never let go of me. When my brother wasn’t that important to me anymore, I started looking for competition with other people. That was my drive.

How can one imagine your collaboration with stars?

She’s very spontaneous, very improvised, very in the moment. Songs just happen. I like it best when only the artist and I are in the studio.

Often sessions are therapy sessions – I am the therapist.

Tell me more.

Two weeks ago I was in the studio with James Arthur, we were both in tears. We wrote a song about a child who was rejected by its mother. James grew up in the home, that kind of thing makes a difference.

Your mother also left the family when you were little. They could empathize with James.

I could understand that very well. It’s all about feelings in music. If you don’t feel anything in a song, then it’s nothing. But this song was very emotional.

As a child you were often left to your own devices. How are you as a father?

I was a very bad father for the first few years because I was very focused on my career. It wasn’t until 2015 that I pulled the brakes and started taking care of the family more.

Did the sad memories only come to the surface during your visits to Germany?

I have rediscovered my homeland. Germany hardly existed for me for 21 years. Now it feels good to reconnect. Writing my bio was very healing.

Have you come to terms with your past?

I’ll try it. It’s not good to hold grudges. I am very happy with my wife: if there is a conflict, we always resolve it on the same day.

What does DSDS mean to you?

There is great talent on the show and I’m really looking forward to the live shows. With Florian and Ilse it feels like we are siblings. We can laugh at anything. I love both of them with all my heart, we feel connected like we’ve known each other all our lives. We were very lucky there.

Gala