What is David Gahan's Net Worth?
David Gahan is an English musician who has a net worth of $80 million. David Gahan is best known as the lead singer of the band Depeche Mode. Despite not being the primary songwriter for the band, he has contributed numerous songs to the albums "Playing the Angel," "Sounds of the Universe," "Delta Machine," and "Spirit." In addition to his work with Depeche Mode, Gahan has released solo albums such as "Paper Monsters" and "Hourglass."
Depeche Mode has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Between June 2017 and June 2018, David Gahan and his fellow members of Depeche Mode grossed $55 million and was once of the highest-paid musical acts in the world.
Early Life and Delinquency
Gahan was born as David Callcott in 1962 in Epping, Essex, England. His mother, Sylvia, was a conductress on London buses, while his father, Len, was a bus driver of Malaysian-Indian descent. When Gahan was only six months of age, his father left the family. Subsequently, he and his sister Sue moved to Basildon, Essex with their mother, who had remarried. At the age of nine, Gahan's stepfather passed away, and at ten, his biological father showed up again. However, after a period of regular visitations, his father disappeared forever.
In Basildon, Gahan attended Barstable School. Frequently truant, he also got into trouble with the police, and was eventually suspended. Three times he ended up in juvenile court for offenses such as graffiti, theft, and criminal damage; among his favorite activities was stealing cars and setting them on fire. After wrecking the office of a probation officer, Gahan was sentenced to one year of weekend custody at an attendance center in Romford.
Depeche Mode
In 1980, Gahan joined the band Composition of Sound, which had recently been formed by musicians Martin Gore, Vince Clarke, and Andy Fletcher. Shortly after, the band was renamed Depeche Mode, which Gahan had suggested after he saw a fashion magazine called Dépêche-mode. The electronic band achieved major success throughout the decade, becoming a pioneer of the new wave and synth-pop movements. After debuting with the album "Speak & Spell," the band released "A Broken Frame," "Construction Time Again," "Some Great Reward," "Black Celebration," "Music for the Masses," and "Violator." Later albums have included "Sounds of the Universe," "Delta Machine," and "Spirit," for which Gahan wrote a number of songs.
Selling over 100 million records globally, Depeche Mode has had upwards of 50 songs on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, four of its singles have made it to number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart; they are "Policy of Truth," "Enjoy the Silence," "I Feel You," and "Walking in My Shoes." Additionally, the single "Suffer Well," written by Gahan, was nominated for a Grammy Award, and hit number 12 in the UK.
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Solo Albums
Gahan released his first solo album, "Paper Monsters," in 2003. Co-written with guitarist and friend Knox Chandler, the album was a moderate hit; it spawned the single "Dirty Sticky Floors," which peaked in the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart. A follow-up album, called "Hourglass," was released in 2007. A more electronic-sounding effort than "Paper Monsters," the album landed in the top 50 in the UK, the top 20 in France, and almost made it to number one in Germany. Meanwhile, the lead single, "Kingdom," became one of the 100 most played modern rock songs in the US in September, and reached the top 10 in Italy, Germany, and Spain.
Other Collaborations
Beyond Depeche Mode and his solo albums, Gahan has contributed his vocals to a number of other projects. In 2007, he collaborated with singer Thomas Anselmi on a project entitled Mirror, and provided vocals on the track "Nostalgia." He also contributed vocals to the frYars track "Visitors," and was the lead singer and lyricist on the album "The Light the Dead See," by English-American production and remix group Soulsavers.
In 2013, Gahan sang and played the harmonica on "Low Guns," the first single from SixToes' album "The Morning After." Later, in 2017, he was featured on Null + Voids' song "Where I wait," from the album "Cryosleep." Following this, he did guest vocals on a remix of the Goldfrapp single "Ocean."
Personal Life
Since 1997, Gahan has lived in New York City. With Jennifer Sklias, his third wife, he has a daughter, as well as a son from Sklias' previous relationship. Gahan has another son, named Jack, from his first marriage to Joanne Fox. In between these marriages, Gahan was wed to Teresa Conroy, a former publicist for Depeche Mode whom he was with for four years.
Health and Substance Abuse Struggles
A recovering heroin addict, Gahan has struggled with substance abuse and health issues throughout his life. In 1993 alone, he attempted suicide by slashing his wrists, and had a minor drug-induced heart attack during a concert in New Orleans. Three years later, Gahan overdosed on a speedball in a Los Angeles hotel, causing his heart to stop for two minutes. After having an out-of-body experience, he was revived by paramedics. Drug charges followed many months later, leading Gahan to seek help at a rehabilitation center.
In 2009, more health trouble came when Gahan fell ill from gastroenteritis just before a tour performance in Greece. An ultrasound revealed he had bladder cancer; the tumor was removed, and Gahan underwent successful treatments during the remainder of the tour. A little later, a torn calf muscle and strained vocal cords resulted in the cancellations of some shows.
Gahan has managed to move past his substance abuse. At the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert in Los Angeles in 2011, he was honored for maintaining over 10 years of sobriety.
