Dave Gahan is a singer, songwriter and frontman of the band Depeche Mode, for which he has composed several songs. He is truly a cult musician who has faced ups, downs, difficult times of crisis and happy days in his life.
Dave Gahan's childhood and adolescence
The future famous singer, composer and virtuoso musician was born in the small village of North Wild, which is located near Epping (Essex, UK). Dave Gahan (David Calcott) was born on May 9, 1962. He was not the only child in the family: in 1960, his older sister Sue was born. When Dave was six months old, his father left the family. However, the official divorce proceedings of little Dave's parents took place only two years later. Some time later, Dave's mother remarried a man named Jack Gahan, who adopted Sue and Dave. Later, two more children appeared in the family - Peter and Phil.
Dave grew up in a fairly conservative and religious family. His mom and grandmother worked in the Salvation Army. However, the departure of the biological father, after the death of his stepfather in 1972, the repeated return of his own father to the family left a serious imprint on the character of the boy. Dave grew up as a naughty child, heading for the street. He did not study well at school, repeatedly got into the police, including for drawing graffiti, stealing and setting fire to cars, vandalism. Science did not interest him at all. Dave was drawn to art and aesthetics: he was attracted by music and fascinated by fashion.
After receiving basic education, Dave Gahan temporarily gave up further studies. He started working, changing a lot of different simple professions in a short time. As a result, the desire to do something creative led Gahan to the Southend College of Art. This place has become iconic for him in its own way. It was here that he met people who directed him towards a musical career.
First steps in music
Dave Gahan began his musical development as a sound engineer for the French Look group, which he met during his college years.
Later life brought him together with a man named Vince Clarke, who is part of the Composition of Sound collective. Vince invited Gahan to try himself as their vocalist, to which Dave happily agreed. In 1980, he became the voice of Composition of Sound and insisted that the band's name be changed to Depeche Mode.
The new group literally burst onto the music scene. They have attracted everyone's attention thanks to their unusual, memorable and non-pop songs. Dave Gahan gradually became not only the voice of the band, but also its “visiting card”, face.
Black Page in the biography of Dave Gahan
When, after world tours, successful singles and Depeche Mode albums, Dave felt truly famous, fame and chic life literally turned his head. From his teenage years, carried away by parties, clubs, alcohol and cigarettes, now Gahan wanted something more. Having moved to the United States, he could not resist the "hard" drugs.
Due to an addiction at one of the performances in the 1990s, Dave Gahan had a heart attack. In 1995, he attempted suicide, but later told reporters that it was only a desire to draw even more attention to his person. In 1996, Gahan was admitted to the hospital, where he experienced a short-term clinical death. After such difficult episodes in his life, he decided to undergo a rehabilitation course at a drug treatment center. The treatment gave its positive results. After some time, Gahan was able to return to the big stage.
Solo projects
In 2000, Dave Gahan began preparing material for an album with guitarist Knox Chandler, which he planned to release separately from Depeche Mode. As a result, Paper Monster was released in 2003. A little later, a DVD was released with a recording of the tour organized in support of this album, which, however, did not have much success with the public.
In 2007, Gahan's second solo disc was released, called Hourglass. This disc came out many times more successful than the first album.
In 2012, Dave Gahan began his collaboration with the Soulsavers group. Together they released The Light The Dead See. Their collaboration did not end there, in 2015 another disc was released - Angels and Ghosts.
Difficulties of personal life
Dave Gahan's whole life is filled with difficulties, sharp turns and many unexpected events. This extended to his personal life.
The artist entered into his first marriage back in 1985. Joe Fox became his wife. In 1987, they had a son, who was named Jack. However, the family broke up already in 1991.
In 1992, Dave remarried. This time, Teresa Conra was his chosen one. They met when Teresa was working as a press officer for Depeche Mode on one of the music tours. The divorce of the spouses took place in 1996.
Jennifer Skliaz-Gahan became Dave's third wife. From this marriage, the British musician has a daughter named Stella-Rose. In 2010, another child appeared in the family - Dave adopted the boy Jimmy, who is the son of his first wife.
