David Gahan (born David Callcott on 9 May 1962) is an English singer best known as the lead vocalist of the electronic music band Depeche Mode, which he joined in 1980. He is recognized for his baritone voice and stage presence, and has been ranked among the greatest singers and frontmen by Q magazine. As a member of Depeche Mode, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Gahan was born in Epping, Essex, to working-class parents. His mother, Sylvia, was a London bus conductor, and his biological father, Len Callcott, was a bus driver of Malaysian descent. His parents separated when he was young, and he was later adopted by his mother’s second husband, Jack Gahan. Gahan grew up in Basildon, Essex, and had a troubled youth, including legal issues and periods in juvenile court. He has stated that music played a significant role in his personal development. In 1980, Gahan joined the band Composition of Sound, later renamed Depeche Mode, after performing David Bowie's "'Heroes'". He suggested the band's name after seeing a fashion magazine titled Dépêche-mode. Depeche Mode became a leading new wave and synth-pop act, releasing 15 studio albums, four greatest hits compilations, and two remix albums, with global sales exceeding 100 million records. Several of the band's singles reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, including "Enjoy the Silence", "Policy of Truth", "I Feel You", and "Walking in My Shoes". Gahan contributed to Depeche Mode as a songwriter beginning with the album "Playing the Angel" (2005), which included his songs "Suffer Well", "I Want It All", and "Nothing's Impossible". "Suffer Well" was nominated for a Grammy Award and released as a single in 2006. His onstage persona has been influenced by Dave Vanian, and he cites artists such as David Bowie, James Brown, Elvis Presley, and Prince as influences. As a solo artist, Gahan has released the albums "Paper Monsters" (2003) and "Hourglass" (2007), both of which charted in Europe. He toured for both albums, including performances at festivals such as Glastonbury. He has also collaborated with other artists, contributing vocals and lyrics to the Soulsavers albums "The Light the Dead See" (2012), "Angels & Ghosts" (2015), and "Imposter" (2021). Gahan has participated in other collaborations, including work with the bands SixToes, Null + Void, and Goldfrapp, as well as contributions to tribute projects such as "The Metallica Blacklist" (2021) and the Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project series. Gahan continues to perform and record with Depeche Mode, including contributing to the 2022 album "Memento Mori". Solo albums Paper Monsters (2003) Hourglass (2007)