Martin Gore

For the cancer researcher, see Martin Gore (oncologist).

Martin Gore
Gore in 2022
Gore in 2022
Background information
Birth nameMartin Lee Gore
Born (1961-07-23) 23 July 1961 (age 63)
London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • DJ
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
  • keyboards
Labels
Member ofDepeche Mode
Formerly ofVCMG
Spouse(s)
Suzanne Boisvert
​
​
(m. 1994; div. 2006)​

Kerrilee Kaski
​
(m. 2014)​
Websitemartingore.com

Martin Lee Gore (born 23 July 1961)[1] is an English musician and songwriter. He is one of the founding members of the electronic music band Depeche Mode and is the band's main songwriter.[2] He is the band's guitarist and keyboardist, and occasionally provides lead vocals.[3] Gore possesses a tenor singing voice which contrasts with lead vocalist Dave Gahan's dramatic baritone. He is also known for his flamboyant and (sometimes) androgynous stage persona. Gore has also released several solo albums and collaborated with former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke as part of VCMG.[4]

Gore's songs include themes such as sex, religion and politics.[5] He has said he feels lyrical themes that tackle issues related to solitude and loneliness are a better representation of reality, whereas he finds "happy songs" fake and unrealistic.[6] At the same time, he asserts that the band's music contains "an element of hope".[7]

In 1999, he received the Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for "International Achievement". He was given the Moog Innovation Award "for his many contributions to the exploration of sound in popular music" in 2019, and became a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member in late 2020 with fellow active Depeche Mode members Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher, as well as past members Clarke and Alan Wilder.[8] Following the death of Fletcher in May 2022, Gore became the longest-serving member of the band.

  1. ^ Malins, p. 1
  2. ^ "Depeche Mode's Vince Clarke and Martin Gore reunite in the name of techno". 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022.
  3. ^ Kelly, Brendan (23 September 1993). "Depeche Mode; The The". Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Depeche Mode". www.depechemode.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013.
  5. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (24 April 2013). "Catching up with Depeche Mode". CNN. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) interview". YouTube. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  7. ^ Condran, Ed (25 May 2006). "On That Note: Comeback Mode". 15 May 2003. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015.. South Philly Review.
  8. ^ "Watch Depeche Mode's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech". NME. 8 November 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.