 Formed in Basildon, Essex, England in 1980, the group's original line-up was Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andy Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81).Vince Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album "Speak & Spell" and was replaced by Alan Wilder (production, keyboards, drums), who was a band member from 1982 to 1995.Following Wilder's departure, Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher continued as a trio.