Dave Gahan, the iconic frontman of Depeche Mode, has opened up about how he initially became part of the band, offering a candid take on the well-known story of his joining the group. In an interview, Gahan reflected on his unconventional entrance into the world of Depeche Mode, suggesting that he “blagged” his way into the band rather than being discovered through a singular moment of vocal talent.
The traditional tale goes that Gahan, while singing David Bowie’s “Heroes” in a neighboring rehearsal space, caught the attention of the band members—Vince Clarke, Andrew Fletcher, and Martin Gore—who were rehearsing in their group Composition Of Sound. The story goes that they were so impressed by his voice that they invited him to become their lead vocalist. However, Gahan himself revealed that the truth was a bit more casual and less serendipitous. “I blagged my way into this band from the beginning,” he admitted. He explained that while he was indeed singing “Heroes,” it wasn’t just him—several people were jamming together. When Vince asked if it was Gahan singing, he took the opportunity to claim the moment as his own, even though he had “nothing else going on.”
Despite his natural charisma as a performer today, Gahan confessed that the role of frontman never felt innate to him. “I felt very awkward,” he shared, revealing that he struggled with fitting in during the band’s early years. It wasn’t until much later that he grew comfortable in his position, citing the support of key figures, especially Mute Records’ Daniel Miller, who mentored the band during their rise to fame. “We were very lucky to work with some amazing people,” Gahan reflected. “If Daniel hadn’t found us, who knows where we’d be—probably stuck in a scene like Spandau Ballet or Duran Duran.”
Today, Gahan’s place in Depeche Mode and the music world is firmly secured, with his captivating presence on stage making him one of the most influential frontmen of his generation. Fans can catch him performing live next week at a tribute concert for the late Mark Lanegan at the Roundhouse in London, where he will join other musicians like Greg Dulli, Bobby Gillespie, and Alison Mosshart. It’s a full-circle moment for Gahan, who started from humble beginnings but is now a legendary figure in the music industry.
