10 Most Iconic British Frontmen Of 1990s Rock Music
9. Dave Gahan - Depeche Mode
When the '90s first got underway, it felt like everyone was getting back to basics. You had the kids from Seattle making a lot of noise, hair metal was becoming obsolete, and even bands like Metallica were stripping themselves down to the bare essence of rock and roll. If the glamorous 80s didn't have a shot at this point, the era of synth rock shouldn't have had a prayer...were it not for Dave Gahan.
Though most of the legend surrounding Depeche Mode comes from Martin Gore's incredible songwriting, it took Gahan's voice to make it revolutionary. Hell, a lot of people these days don't even think of the '90s to be Depeche Mode at their peak, but Violator launched them into the decade on all cylinders thanks to hits like Personal Jesus, almost entirely through the rich baritone of Gahan.
It wasn't the easiest tightrope to walk though, considering that Gahan would eventually end up overcoming drug addiction and almost took his life during this period of Depeche Mode's run. Then again, that kind of inner turmoil just seemed to add so much more depth to their music. Now you had more of a connection to Enjoy the Silence because you knew the pain that it took to get there. Much like the Cure had done for alternative in the '80s, Dave Gahan gave pop permission to be just a little more dark.