Vince Clarke
Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously the main songwriter for several groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and the Assembly. 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.
Erasure have recorded over 200 songs and have sold over 28 million albums worldwide. Clarke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of Depeche Mode.
Vincent John Martin was born on 3 July 1960 in South Woodford, Essex; he later moved to Basildon, Essex. He initially studied the violin and then the piano. Clarke's early musical influences included Sparks, Paul Simon, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), who inspired his interest in electronic music. Clarke also cites electronic influences such as the Human League, Daniel Miller and Fad Gadget.
In December 2013, Clarke listed his "13 LPs that mean the most to him" for The Quietus: Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973): Kraftwerk – Computer World (1981); The Human League – Travelogue (1980); Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends (1968); T. Rex – Electric Warrior (1971); David Bowie – "Heroes" (1977); The Eagles – Hotel California (1976); OMD – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1980); Philip Glass – Glassworks (1982); Genesis – A Trick of the Tail (1976); Michael Jackson – Dangerous (1991); The Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977); Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (1971).
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. In 1979, Clarke played guitar in the Plan, an Ultravox-influenced band, with friends Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith.
In 1980, after the Plan dissolved, Clarke and Fletcher formed Composition of Sound, and were soon joined by Martin Gore. Clarke provided vocals until lead vocalist Dave Gahan joined the band, which was renamed Depeche Mode. At that time he adopted the stage name Vince Clarke, by which he is currently known. 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. ...
Source: Article "Vince Clarke" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For | Acting |
---|---|
Most Rating | 2.03 |
Birthday | 1960-07-03 |
Place of Birth | South Woodford, Essex, England, UK |
Also Known As | Vincent John Martin, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly, Erasure, VCMG, Vincent Clarke, |
2007
Erasure: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
0/0
Erasure's stunning live performance at London's Royal Albert Hall, featuring classic songs and recent hits from their 2007 album "Light At The End of...
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Erasure: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
2009
Synth Britannia
7.9/8
Documentary following a generation of post-punk musicians who took the synthesiser from the experimental fringes to the centre of the pop stage.
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Synth Britannia
2005
Erasure: The Erasure Show - Live in Cologne
0/0
A live concert from Erasure's sellout 2005 world tour, The Erasure Show.
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Erasure: The Erasure Show - Live in Cologne
2006
Depeche Mode: 1980–81 “Do We Really Have to Give Up Our Day Jobs?”
8.5/3
"Do We Really Have to Give Up Our Day Jobs?" - A documentary about the making of the album Speak & Spell, featuring interviews with the group includ...
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Depeche Mode: 1980–81 “Do We Really Have to Give Up Our Day Jobs?”
2005
Erasure: The Tank, the Swan, and the Balloon
9.5/2
1. Siren Song 2. Ship Of Fools 3. Chorus 4. Breath Of Life 5. Chains Of Love 6. Love To Hate You 7. Joan 8. Voulez Vous 9. Take A Chance On Me 10. S.O...
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Erasure: The Tank, the Swan, and the Balloon
2017
New Wave: Dare to be Different
6.8/10
U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Clash, The Cure: Over half a billion records sold but you may never have h...
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New Wave: Dare to be Different
2017
Erasure - Berlin Live
0/0
In the series of Arte Concerts, Erasure played live at the Schwuz in Berlin on July 24, 2017. In light of their forthcoming album "World Be Gone", the...
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Erasure - Berlin Live
2016
Depeche Mode: Video Singles Collection
10/1
The complete collection of Depeche Modes videos.
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Depeche Mode: Video Singles Collection
2007
Erasure: On the Road to Nashville
0/0
Erasure performs an all acoustic show live at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The show features never before seen footage of their electronic hits real...
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Erasure: On the Road to Nashville
2011
Erasure: Live at Karlsson
0/0
1. Pistol 2. Senseless 3. Heavenly Action 4. Reunion 5. Sometimes 6. Who Needs Love Like That 7. Cry So Easy 8. My Heart... So Blue 9. March On Down T...
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Erasure: Live at Karlsson
Erasure - Innocents - Live at the NEC 1988
0/0
Released in 1989 and recorded at the NEC Arena, Birmingham on 15 November 1988, is the second concert video released by British synthpop duo Erasure....
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Erasure - Innocents - Live at the NEC 1988
2003
Erasure: Sanctuary The EIS Christmas Concert 2002
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Filmed at a special concert for members of the Erasure Information Service at The Sanctuary, Birmingham on Fridy 13th December 2002.
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Erasure: Sanctuary The EIS Christmas Concert 2002
2021
The Sparks Brothers
7.4/76
Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your fav...
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The Sparks Brothers
2020
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions
0/0
A ceremony for the Class of 2020 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony takes place on November 7, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio, and a...
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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions
2006
Depeche Mode: 1982 “The Beginning of Their So-Called Dark Phase…”
7/1
"The Beginning Of Their So-Called Dark Phase…" - A documentary about the making of the album A Broken Frame, featuring interviews with the group incl...
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Depeche Mode: 1982 “The Beginning of Their So-Called Dark Phase…”
2008
Yazoo In Your Room
9/1
In Your Room (Box Set) DVD-1 A Short Film Featuring New Interviews With Vince Clarke And Alison Moyet, And Exclusive Archive Footage Promotional Vi...
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Yazoo In Your Room
2014
I Dream of Wires
6.609/23
An independent documentary film about the phenomenal resurgence of the modular synthesizer — exploring the passions, obsessions and dreams of people w...
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