Vince Clarke’s bold leap: from Depeche Mode to Yazoo

When Depeche Mode burst onto the scene in the early ’80s, their synth-driven sound was spearheaded by Vince Clarke — a quiet, determined figure with a clear sense of direction. While the rest of the group were still finding their footing, Clarke already seemed to have a master plan. So when Daniel Miller, head of Mute Records, picked up the phone to tell the band that Vince was leaving, it came as both a shock and a turning point.