David Vanian

David Vanian (born David Lett, 12 October 1956) is an English rock musician, and lead singer of the punk rock band the Damned. Formed in 1976 in London, the Damned were the first British punk band to release a single, release an album, have a record hit the UK charts, and tour the United States. With a fluid line-up since their founding, Vanian has been the only ever-present member. Vanian's baritone singing voice, dark lyrics and vampire-themed costumes, were a major influence on the goth subculture.[1]

Dave Vanian
Vanian performing live with the Damned in Cleethorpes, 2006
Vanian performing live with the Damned in Cleethorpes, 2006
Background information
Birth nameDavid Lett
Born (1956-10-12) 12 October 1956
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England
OriginHemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • tambourine
Years active1976–present
Labels
Member ofThe Damned
Formerly of
Websiteofficialdamned.com

Career

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, Vanian moved with his parents to Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire when he was a couple of months old. Vanian changed his name from Lett to Vanian in early life after a stint as a gravedigger – Vanian being a play on "Transylvanian". He remains one of the early influencers of gothic fashion, wearing dark and otherworldly clothing both on stage and off. He is known to be a fan of renaissance art, film noir and horror movies, all of which manifest in his stage appearance. In November 1976, the British music magazine NME stated that Vanian "resembles a runaway from the Addams Family".[2]

In 1978, he was guest in the song "Don't Panic England", from the band Doctors of Madness.

In 2004, he and fellow Damned member Captain Sensible turned on the Christmas lights in Cambridge, causing some controversy.[3]

Vanian sang with MC5 for their 40th anniversary singing "Looking at You", which was released as part of Revolution: A Celebration of the MC5. In 2008, Vanian with the band the Throb, performed on "Let's Get Lost (Sailor Jerry's Story)" for the compilation album, The Original Sailor Jerry Rum – Music To.... Outside of the Damned, Vanian has led the gothabilly band Dave Vanian and the Phantom Chords, hosted Dave Vanian's Dark Screen on the UK-based television channel Rockworld TV and composed the soundtrack for the 2009 film, The Perfect Sleep.[4]

Personal life

Vanian has kept his personal life out of the limelight, opting out of any input into the Damned biography, The Light at the End of the Tunnel, by Carol Clerk. He married his first wife, Laurie, in 1977; they separated in the mid-1990s. He married Patricia Morrison in Las Vegas in 1996, after the Damned had toured Australia. The couple have one child, named Emily, and live in Harrow, Greater London.[5]

Discography

Studio album

References
  1. Thompson, Dave (1 November 2000). Alternative Rock. Miller Freeman Books. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.
  2. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London, UK: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 294. CN 5585.
  3. Church fury at Damned's switch-on, Bbc.co.uk; accessed 12 September 2015.
  4. Profile, Theperfectsleep.com; accessed 12 September 2015.
  5. "Official Damned.com". OfficialDamned.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
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