Vince Clarke
Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously the main songwriter for several groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and the Assembly. In Erasure, he is known for his deadpan and low-key onstage demeanour, often remaining motionless over his keyboard, in sharp contrast to lead vocalist Andy Bell's animated and hyperactive frontman antics.
For the cricketer, see Vince Clarke (cricketer).
Vince Clarke
Vincent John Martin
3 July 1960
South Woodford, Essex, England
London, England
- Musician
- songwriter
- remixer
- DJ
- record producer
- Synthesizer
- keyboards
- guitar
- vocals
1977–present
Erasure have recorded over 200 songs and have sold over 28 million albums worldwide.[1][2] Clarke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of Depeche Mode.[3][4]
Early life and influences[edit]
Vincent John Martin was born on 3 July 1960 in South Woodford, Essex; he later moved to Basildon, Essex. He initially studied the violin and then the piano. Clarke's early musical influences included Sparks, Paul Simon, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), who inspired his interest in electronic music.[5] Clarke also cites electronic influences such as the Human League, Daniel Miller and Fad Gadget.[6]
In the late 1970s, Clarke and schoolmate Andy Fletcher formed a short-lived band called No Romance in China, with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass guitar. In 1979, Clarke played guitar in the Plan, an Ultravox-influenced band, with friends Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith.[7]
Personal life[edit]
Clarke was married to Tracy Hurley Martin, the twin sister of Tonya Hurley who was a booking agent and publicist to various entertainment artists.[37] Among the musicians Tracy served as a publicist for included Prince, George Michael and Clarke's former band Depeche Mode.[37] She also represented “Goosebumps” and the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen brand.[37] Several films she produced were screened at the Tribeca and Edinburgh film festivals.[37] Tracy died in January 2024 following a two-year battle with stomach cancer.[38][39] She is survived by her twin sister Tonya, Clarke, and their son Oscar.[37][40][41]