David Gahan from Depeche Mode turns 50 today!
Take a look back at the rich history of Depeche Mode with a series of documentaries chronicling the band's impressive career. Fans in Detroit should note that the city/underground scene gets props by the band for helping break "Get The Balance Right." Derrick May is featured talking about Depeche Mode and the single in the 1983 portion of the documentary below.
Depeche Mode 1980-1981 (part 2)
Depeche Mode 1982
Depeche Mode 1983
Depeche Mode 1984
Depeche Mode 1991-1994
Depeche Mode 1995-1998
*Note that there were episodes filmed for other Depeche Mode years (1985-1990), however the videos have been pulled from YouTube
David Gahan considers himself lucky to be alive after a fighting heroin addiction as well as a series of botched suicide attempts in the 1990s. After a long struggle (which included an overdose and subsequent visit to jail) Gahan later found his way and was able to get clean and stay clean. Last year his sobiety was celebrated at the annual MusiCares event in Los Angeles.
More footage from MusiCares 2011 featuring Gahan's set of covers is posted here.
David Gahan recently appeared on the new Soulsavers single, "Longest Day" which was released as a limited edition single for Record Store Day. The full Soulsavers album The Light And The Dead See drops May 21.
Depeche Mode are currently in the studio working on their 13th studio album. According to the band, they've demoed about 20 songs and are hoping to release the new album early next year, with a world tour to follow.
Finally, Depeche Mode fans may also be interested in a recent BBC documentary about electronic/synth music. Watch the BBC's Synth Britannia below: