1996
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
No releases this year.
Dave's year of reckoning: an overdose leaves him technically dead for two minutes. He subsequently enrols on a successful rehab programme (6th June), giving up both drugs and alcohol.
Dave
Gahan's Overdose - 28th May 1996
A digest of small newspaper snippets breaking the news of Dave's
overdose at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, Los Angeles.
[194
words in total]
[Melody Maker, 1st June 1996. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
Don't let the sulphurous title put you off. This news item, even without considering the speed at which it must have been put together, is a very sensible and informative piece that explores all the aspects of Dave's overdose without ever slipping into wild speculation.
[437 words]
[NME, 8th June 1996. Words: Uncredited. Pictures: All Action.]
Two news items - the first a brief "inside front-pager" and the second a longer article - amongst the first to break the news of Dave’s overdose. Being so soon after the fact, this piece stays to the known facts and is free of the lip-smacking over gory details found in some of the 1997 pieces. The piece is sober, cautious and tactful yet, frighteningly, moves into what must have been intended at the time as a Depeche Mode career obituary.
[1148 words]
Gahan Pleads Not Guilty To Drugs Charge
[NME, date unknown (July 1996). Words: Uncredited. Picture: Anton Corbijn.]
Short news article reporting in the middle of the legal proceedings against Dave in the wake of his overdose.
[198 words]
I'm
Hanging On By My Teeth
[Melody Maker, 27th July 1996. Words:
Steve Hochman. Picture: Uncredited.]
Brief news article covering the beginnings
of Dave's rehabilitation from heroin addiction. This is one of the
earliest; Dave's comments to the press a few months down the line
would later embarrass him due to being a little too open. Here he is
simply stating the stark truth of his situation, as much to himself as
to others.
[461
words]
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