29 Facts About Dave Gahan

David Gahan is an English singer best known as the lead singer of electronic music band Depeche Mode since their formation in 1980.

Dave Gahan was born David Callcott on 9 May 1962 in Epping, Essex, the son of working-class parents.

Dave Gahan's mother, Sylvia, was a conductor on London buses, while his father, Len, was a bus driver of Malaysian descent.

When Dave Gahan was nine years old, Jack died, and Len returned and was introduced as "Uncle" Len.

Dave Gahan enjoyed the thrill of stealing cars, driving them, and then setting them on fire.

Dave Gahan's probation officer told him to be honest during the interview, leading him to tell the interviewer that he had a criminal record but claim he was a "reformed character," which resulted in him being refused the job.

Dave Gahan then trashed his probation officer's office in retaliation, for which he was ordered to spend every Saturday for several weeks at an attendance centre in Romford for one year.

Dave Gahan wrote the lyrics to the B-side "Oh Well", although the music was written by Martin Gore.

Dave Gahan has credited Bowie, James Brown, Elvis Presley and Prince as influences.

In 2003, Dave Gahan released his first solo album, Paper Monsters, followed by the Paper Monsters Tour, singing both his new solo tracks and Depeche Mode fan favourites.

In 2007, Dave Gahan announced he was working on a new album via a video greeting for Depeche Mode's official website recorded at the 2007 MusiCares Charity event on 11 May The album, entitled Hourglass, was accompanied working by Andrew Phillpott and Christian Eigner.

In July 2007, Side-Line magazine revealed that Dave Gahan had been working with Thomas Anselmi on a project called Mirror, which was produced by Vincent Jones.

Dave Gahan appeared in the accompanying video for the song.

Dave Gahan contributed vocals to a track called "Visitors," after walking in while producer and ex-Clor guitarist Luke Smith was working on the song in his New York studio.

Dave Gahan is the lead singer and lyricist on Soulsavers' fourth studio album The Light the Dead See.

In 2017, Dave Gahan featured on Null + Void's song "Where I Wait" from the album Cryosleep where the song features three times in different remixes.

In 2018, a remix of the Goldfrapp single "Ocean" featuring guest vocals from Dave Gahan was released as a digital download on 21 May 2018.

In 2021, Dave Gahan contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Nothing Else Matters" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist and did guest vocals on a single from Jenny Lee Lindberg.

On November 12,2021, Dave Gahan released an album of covers called Imposter with Soulsavers.

In 2023, Dave Gahan contributed a cover of "Mother of Earth" by the Gun Club to the fourth installment in the Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project series of tribute albums, titled The Task Has Overwhelmed Us.

Dave Gahan adopted her son from a previous relationship, and has a son named Jack from his first marriage to Joanne Fox.

Dave Gahan converted to the Greek Orthodox Church before marrying Sklias.

Dave Gahan is a recovering heroin addict and has had multiple health concerns throughout his career.

In October 1993, Dave Gahan suffered a minor drug-induced heart attack during a performance in New Orleans, leaving the rest of Depeche Mode to improvise an encore without him.

In May 1996, Dave Gahan overdosed on a speedball at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles, which resulted in his heart stopping for two minutes until he was revived by paramedics.

In May 2009, shortly before Depeche Mode were due onstage in Athens during their Tour of the Universe, Dave Gahan became ill in his dressing room.

Dave Gahan was rushed to hospital, where it was suspected he was suffering from a bout of gastroenteritis.

In July 2009, Dave Gahan suffered a torn calf muscle while performing in Bilbao, resulting in two further show cancellations.

In May 2011, Dave Gahan was honoured at the seventh annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert for more than a decade of sobriety.