Madonna's Ex Dan Gilroy Opens Up: Why Her 'Poetic' Love Letters Are Off-Limits
Madonna’s former flame and bandmate, Dan Gilroy, is shedding light on their passionate but brief romance that spanned 18 months in the early ’80s. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Gilroy, 77, reminisced about their time together, revealing why the “Material Girl” is fiercely protective of her personal letters.
Gilroy first met Madonna at a party, and their chemistry quickly flourished both romantically and musically. He described their connection, saying, “Anyone who has been in a band knows it’s a very intimate kind of relationship.” The duo performed together in the Breakfast Club, a band Madonna formed with Gilroy and his brother, Ed.
The relationship took a turn when Madonna decided to leave the band to pursue new musical endeavors with drummer Stephen Bray, marking a pivotal moment in her rise to superstardom. Despite their split, Gilroy cherishes their time together, stating, “It was wonderful,” and acknowledging that Madonna was destined to shine on her own.
As he prepares to auction off some iconic musical memorabilia from their time together, Gilroy reflected on the cultural significance of the items. He plans to sell guitars and drums that Madonna used to create her early hits, calling them “pop culture historical artifacts.” These instruments were not only tools for music but were also part of the foundation of her legendary career.
However, it’s not just the instruments that hold sentimental value. Gilroy shared that Madonna had written him “a ton of letters” during her time in Europe, filled with poetic expressions of love. “She’s very private about that,” he explained, emphasizing her reluctance to have any personal correspondence made public. In a show of respect for her wishes, Gilroy ultimately decided not to include the letters in the auction.
Instead, Madonna signed the musical equipment, making it clear that while she’s moved on, their shared history remains valuable. “She got the bug to sing because she would be playing drums at CBGB,” Gilroy recalled. “But then she would get off the drums… and there was no going back.”
The auction will take place online starting September 25, and Gilroy’s decision to safeguard those love letters adds another layer of intrigue to their storied relationship—one that continues to resonate decades later.
