Dave Gahan recalls meeting David Bowie and feeling “terrified”
Overwhelming trepidation, anticipation about what could go wrong, and the gut feeling that they won’t live up to expectations are states that have long been wrapped up in one singular phrase: “Never meet your heroes”. It’s interesting to apply analysis to this notion through a contemporary lens, mainly because it dredges up all the reasons why meeting a famous figure in real life could be disappointing. For Dave Gahan, this is a feeling he knows well.
Somewhere in between rising to become a part of one of the biggest bands in the world and overcoming substance abuse, Gahan somehow forgot to remember his monumental reputation. A powerhouse in the electronic rock realm and an overwhelmingly down-to-earth guy, Gahan isn’t exactly the typical personality for falling off the rails. However, his fall negated something much more insidious regarding addiction, revealing how even those who seem to have it all together can be deeply vulnerable to its grip.
Still, Gahan has never been any less respected and, over time, has focused more on conducting himself to reflect his soul and mindset more accurately. During more recent live shows, the glint of appreciation in Gahan’s eyes never diminishes, and he flits around the stage like a man free from the perils of the dark underbelly of rock ‘n’ roll. In short, Gahan has settled down in his rise while remaining of the same calibre of passion and talent when approaching music.
Going some years back, however, when emotions were infinitely higher, and Gahan had no idea the sort of twists and turns that could be afoot, his perspective on his place in the industry was tainted by the many innovators surrounding him. Gahan had his own heroes, but to think he would ever feel anxiety about approaching them seems far-fetched, considering how confident and commanding he could appear in the spotlight.
However, meeting David Bowie took him by surprise, but not for the reasons that seem obvious. “I get a little intimidated by certain people like that as well. She’s pretty intimidating, Siouxsie [Sioux]. She’ll sort of slap you down pretty quick,” he told Interview Magazine. “I used to get really terrified by meeting people who I respected and liked.”
Recalling the moment he met Bowie and the reasons he felt uncertain, he added: “I met David Bowie once and I was terrified because I thought, what if I don’t like him? But he was really nice. We got on fine.” As a self-proclaimed “big Bowie fan”, Gahan viewed the situation like many meeting their cherished favourites for the first time—what if it’s underwhelming? Worse—what if they are unpleasant? Thankfully, however, everything went swimmingly, and Gahan’s vision of the legendary ‘Starman’ remained intact.
Not only this, but Gahan’s appreciation for Bowie began to tap into something all music lovers experience—deep-rooted gratification. The best musicians are those who can satisfy specific moods, but the legendary innovators can appeal to every mood. “I fall back on his stuff all the time,” Gahan reflected in the same interview. “If I’m feeling a certain mood, I know I can put on Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane and my mood will completely change. It just takes me to a place where I wanted to go when I was a teenager. It’s like where Bowie was, I wanted to go.”
For many, Gahan’s music serves a similar purpose. After all, nothing really encompasses the experience of lighting a candle and letting the needle fall on Depeche Mode’s Songs of Faith and Devotion. It’s more like a ritual, really. One where it guides you through a journey of each and every emotion you could ever muster. “Never meet your heroes,” they say. Except Gahan would likely appear exempt from such a negative prophecy.
