Depeche Mode, Yazoo and the Basildon synth-pop revolution

Little did she know that he would go on to become one of the most successful musicians in history, founding three hugely successful bands.

Her ex-boyfriend is Vince Clarke, who was the founder and songwriter for Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and now Erasure.

Now 62, Deb dated Clarke for four years and today is in awe of the bands’ global fanbases, but at the time it just felt like a group of mates making tunes together.

Photo of Andrew Fletcher and Vince Clarke - 1981. Pic: Deb Danahay

She said: “We didn’t realise how lucky we were growing up in Basildon with so many great bands – and very few elderly people to tell us off!

“There were great clubs, everyone was getting together making bands, we had synth-pop and the start of the punk era both taking off. It was such a fantastic time in Basildon.”

Deb, then aged 20, met Vince at a party she held at Laindon Paddocks Community Hall in 1980, at a time when he and Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore were still performing under the name Composition of Sound.

Vince in Blackwing Studios in London where the first Yazoo single was recorded, 1982. Pic: Deb Danahay

“We had mutual friends who introduced us and off it went from there,” she said.

“Vince had a sixth sense for music, he was the one who put the band together, he was the mind behind Depeche Mode.”

Composition of Sound became Depeche Mode after Clarke overheard David Gahan performing a rendition of David Bowie’s “Heroes” at a jam session later that same year. He would go on to become one of the most recognisable faces in pop.

Dave Gahan - photo taken backstage at gig - 1981. Pic: Deb Danahay

“David was great, but I always suspected he was partly invited because he was super cool and had a lot of friends and he could bring them along to gigs and fill the place out,” Deb joked.

The band continued to perform at venues like Raquels, Sweeney’s and Rayleigh’s Crocs, building their fanbase before releasing their debut single Dreaming Of Me in February 1981.

That was followed up by New Life, which climbed to number 11, leading to an appearance on Top of the Pops.

“When they were first on Top of the Pops, that was just such a huge moment for everyone,” explained Deb.

“That was when we all began to realise just how big this was, it was a moment in history.

“Although, Vince being very business-like, didn’t want me to come with him to the show, despite the other girlfriends being invited.”

In late 1981 Clarke left to form Yazoo with Billericay-born Alison Moyet, releasing their debut single Only You in March 1982.

Deb said: “He never really told me exactly why he left Depeche Mode.

“Personally I think he did the right thing, because I don’t think Vince could cope with the massive tours that Depeche Mode do now – he preferred being the studio.”

Deb now runs tours of Basildon for Depeche Mode fans across from the globe, and is calling for Basildon Council to erect a statute for the band.

“We get a lot of people from the Americas, north and south, places like Germany. They come down to Basildon, bless them. I give them a three-hour tour, and then I show them old photos and memorabilia,” she said.

“But they can never understand why we don’t have a statue for the band in the town centre.”