Depeche Mode
Violator
1990, I remember flirting and sharing M&Ms with Dave Gahan at the WBR In House Studios. It was The Violator days and the boys came in to use the studio. There was also a listening party. I got my poster signed and yes it is a crime that it is not in a frame. I never got into hanging merch on the walls nor autographed photos. They would remain in my archives.
The Violator entire Album on Depeche Mode Youtube
Teresa Conroy was the assistant to Marc Geiger at Ric Ruben’s Def American Records (presently called American Records) which was just around the corner from the WBR office in Burbank. Marc used to work at the William Morris Agency but was now doing A&R. Teresa would often bring tape orders to our studio. At the time she had black hair and would wear mod dresses and go go boots. She was presently seen at all of the Brit pop shows in L.A.
A couple years later 1992, I recall the gossip going round the office faster than a speeding bullet. Teresa quit her job because she got married to Dave Gahan. Damn lucky bitch I thought in my mind. Damn lucky. I wanted to quit my job and marry a rock star too, that was my dream!
One day I was watching the 1989 film Depeche Mode 101 and learned that Teresa has had a long history working with the band. If you press on the movie image below there is a trailer to the film. Teresa is in the documentary throughout and it is a wonderful time capsule of 80’s culture. The film is available to stream online.
After Dave’s first marriage ended in 1991 he moved to L.A. to live with his new love Teresa. She was his personal publicist but their marriage coincided with a period of severe struggle and heroin use. They both changed their look. Gone was Dave’s clean cut handsome image to the greasy long hair and Teresa dumped her mod look. I saw the Devotion Tour in Los Angeles. Click link for audio. The video below is what the tour was like in another city, filmed by Anton Corbiin.
fire cat youtube
Teresa and Dave split in 1996. She became a life coach to the stars and Dave found his “third time is a charm.” I heard TC Conroy as Teresa prefers to be called has done some interview for the new book “Lollapalooza: The Uncensored History of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival”
Here’s my old poster that has been rolled up in a tube with other band posters for 36 years, I had Chris hold it for me.
Cool memories -- and poster!
That poster is a treasure. While I haven't done it since I moved into my house 15+ years ago, I found that do it yourself framing is oddly satisfying.
Did you attend 101 by chance? I was there and I kept my stub with my CD which I lost when my house got burgaled many years later. I have some terrible pics from the show someplace. We were 5 rows or so from the top of the 🌹 bowl.