Q&A session with David Gates

Bread fan gathering 2016 at Mt Vernon, WA

[redwandennaoui]

I wonder if those sitting around David know they are in the presence of one of the greatest singer songwriters of all time. ❤️

[paulnerval]

David Gates is one of the most brilliant songwriters of all time!

[laman]

He is a legend and a dedicated, humble musician and they aren't many like him anymore.

[ManuelLopez-uhvo]

I'm a Latino person and let me tell you this: David Gates songs hit me hard. I have never listened a musician, songwriter so prolific and very humble at the same time like David gates. Each chord at each song is so touching. There's a song that still make me cry when I listen to it. Everything I own! It seems written for me and my grandma! She raised me. She was my mom and dad. She died several years ago. I remember her everytime I listen this tune. Thanks David Gates for such wonderful music!

[ComputerLearning]

Bread, David Gates and The Carpenters were my all-time favorite artists of the 70's. They still are.

[wheretobuysilver]

No one writes and performs songs like that anymore. Those were the days never to be forgotten. Such voice, such lyrics that really mean something and touches you deeply. Songs that can make you smile and even cry...takes you to places. Congratulations David on a brilliant and successful carrier, your music will live forever!

[BlueRivers]

Gates is a musical genius of the highest caliber! What a voice!

[tmo]

I’m very pleased that David Gates and his wife are doing so well.

[gilbertogodoy]

It is really a pity he is retired. I miss this voice singing and playing his beautiful songs.

[noragarcia]

I am 76 yrs old from the Philippines and i always listen to Breads greatest hits everyday

[TheCream]

David got me through high school and college back in the 70's. His songs live forever. Sure wish we had music today that is half as good as what he produced.

[michi]

He's 22 yrs. older than me, but I have loved him and Bread since I was a child. I'm really glad I found this interview and got to get a little more insight into who he is. I could listen to his stories all night. ❤

[sideskraft]

Two words describe Mr. Gates -- sheer brilliance. The skill and patience to make the incredibly beautiful music he did, without computers and synthesizers, is simply amazing. I put him at the same level as Tom Scholz of Boston. It's unfortunate that kids growing up in the last three decades missed out on these kinds of groups, musicians and songs as part of their culture. I'm thankful that I was able to experience it.

[denniseudela]

There was a stage in my life... for about (5) years, (I think 1971 - 1976), my strong belief was that Bread's song "IF" of course sung by David, was the greatest ballad love song ever written in the whole universe!❤

[williamludlow]

I live 20 miles from David gates in Oak Harbor WA. I wish I was there to listen to him in person. I would rather hang out with David Gates than Bill Gates.

[globalboy]

Actually a live legend. Thak you so much David for many years of great music.

[tonyaccordino]

What a down to earth family man. He never let stardom go to his head. He made great music that has withstood the test of time. He could be your next door neighbor and you would never know who he was in his past life.

[walteralvarez]

This man is a master and so humble ! he is an incredible person with so much natural born talent !

[rickykay]

I got to meet David Gates after a Bread concert in Chicago.
Friday, January 28, 1972 Bob Borjanovich, a friend of mine and I drove to the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, IL to see BREAD with David Gates in concert. I live 40 miles north of Chicago. After the BREAD concert on January 28, 1972 with the original line up of David Gates, Jimmy Griffin, Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel, they walked off stage.
Security wasn’t as tight then as it is now so I walked down toward the stage and asked one of the roadies with a satin BREAD jacket on where I could find David Gates. He told me they went to eat at the Lake Shore Holiday Inn. I knew where that was. I had my wedding reception in the revolving restaurant called the Pinnacle on the 33rd floor where they were eating. We walked into the restaurant and the Host told us we weren’t dressed properly in ties and coats. We also didn’t have reservations. I told the host I just want to go talk to that guy for a minute as I was pointing to the band at their table. He still said NO. I told Bob, “Let’s go across the street and get some burgers while we’re waiting for BREAD to finish eating.”
We waited about 30 minutes and went back into the hotel. I walked up to the desk and boldly asked which room David Gates was in like I was one of his friends. The guy at the desk told me, “Room 329.” I asked him if I could call him first and he said to go around the desk and in the hall is a “house phone, just dial 329.” I couldn’t believe he told me but hey….I’m too close to David Gates to blow it now.
I picked up the house phone, dialed 329 and some guy said, “Hello.”
I said “Hello, who is this?” He said, “Mike, who is this?” I told him my name was Rick and I saw their concert tonight and wanted to tell you how awesome it was.” He said, “Thanks” and that he had to go.
I told Bob, “Let’s just take the elevator up to the room. I’m too close now.”
We got to room 329 and I knocked on the door.
David Gates opened the door and all he had on was his “Fruit Of the Loom” briefs. I said, “Dave?” And he said, “Yeah.” I said, “WOW, I’ve wanted to meet you for years.
I told him I hate to bother him so I’ll make this quick….”Could you show me how to play the first 2 chords for ‘Make It With You’ and the first 4 chords for ‘IF’ if I draw a fretboard and strings on each arm?” He agreed. I drew them and he showed me where to place my fingers and I drew dots with my pen on the spots to place my fingers. I asked him to sign my ticket stub and he did. He was very nice and humble. I went home and tried the chords on my acoustic Ovation guitar and it sounded just like David Gates playing.
Unfortunately I didn’t own a camera back then so no photo.

[zenpunk]

David Gates was happily married with children when he wrote most to all of his beautiful love songs (currently married over 60 years). It's one thing to understand love but another on how to write a love song -David not only wrote beautiful music (mostly just with his voice and guitar) but his lyrics contain words of someone who understands love from it's most powerful place of being unconditional to the deep heartbreak of 'wanting' of taking someone for granted. His music truly is healing and heart breaking - there is a reality to it a purity and innocence not found in todays music. Because of his genius -his heart/love those of us who appreciate his music will never be the same. Thank you David!