Depeche Mode celebration in Basildon.

FANS from all over the globe will make their way to Basildon for a weekend pilgrimage to the hometown of legendary Depeche Mode. They will get a chance to pay tribute to the electronic band, which was formed in the town in 1980. The event has been made possible by Deb Danahay – a former girlfriend of Vince Clarke, one of the original band members, and founder of its fan club. She has arranged two events – a gig with Speak and Spell, allegedly the best Depeche Mode tribute group, and an exhibition of memorabilia after seeing the enormous following the band still has.

“It’s all down to Facebook,” said Deb. “I finally signed up to the website and was surprised that so many people recognised my name, and the connection to the band.
“Many of them wanted to know if I had memorabilia to sell – tickets, programmes and so on.
“The idea of a nostalgic weekend took hold and here we are.”
Deb, who still lives in Basildon, has sorted enough mementoes to create an exhibition at James Hornsby School in Laindon, which band members Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher once attended.
She has also arranged gigs in Basildon.
“I have heard from fans in Germany, Italy and Japan but I’m not sure what they will think when they find absolutely no recognition of Depeche Mode [in Basildon].
“It’s like they were never here,” she said.
The fourth member of the original line-up, Dave Gahan, also lived in Basildon.
“It’s a shame there is nothing here to commemorate the boys,” Deb added. “After all, the band was a great success here, in the States and Europe.
“I tried to find some Basildon memorabilia for the fans, but I couldn’t even come up with local postcards.”
The weekend programme is:
• Friday, July 22 – Marlow, Shiny Darkness and Blue October UK at the Castlemayne pub, The Knares, Basildon, 8pm.
• Saturday, July 23 – exhibition at James Hornsby School, Leinster Road, Laindon, 12noon till 3pm. Speak and Spell will perform at Q-ball, Southernhay, Basildon, at 8pm.
Weekend tickets cost £25, but tickets to individual events are also available.
For more information about the events, call 07528 377574.