Clarke also stated that he did not enjoy the public aspects of success, such as touring and interviews, and found himself frequently at odds with his bandmates, particularly on the tour bus.

He commented on Depeche Mode's later material as being a little dark for his taste, but good nonetheless. There were many rumoured reasons for his departure. Ĭlarke left Depeche Mode shortly thereafter.

The band initially adopted a slick synthesised electropop sound, which produced the studio album Speak & Spell and the Clarke-penned singles ' Dreaming of Me', ' New Life', and ' Just Can't Get Enough' in 1981. At that time he adopted the stage name Vince Clarke, by which he is currently known. Clarke provided vocals until lead vocalist Dave Gahan joined the band, which was renamed Depeche Mode. In 1980, after the Plan dissolved, Clarke and Fletcher formed Composition of Sound, and were soon joined by Martin Gore. In 1979, Clarke played guitar in the Plan, an Ultravox-influenced band, with friends Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith. In the late 1970s, Clarke and schoolmate Andy Fletcher formed a short-lived band called No Romance in China, with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass guitar. Clarke also cites electronic influences such as the Human League, Daniel Miller and Fad Gadget. Clarke's early musical influences included Sparks, Paul Simon, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), who inspired his interest in electronic music. He initially studied the violin and then the piano. Vincent John Martin was born on 3 July 1960 in South Woodford, Essex he later moved to Basildon, Essex. Vince Clarke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of Depeche Mode. In Erasure he is known for his deadpan and low-key onstage demeanour, often remaining motionless over his keyboard, in sharp contrast to lead vocalist Andy Bell's animated and hyperactive frontman antics.Įrasure have recorded over 200 songs and have sold over 28 million albums worldwide. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously the main songwriter of several groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and the Assembly. Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter.

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