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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Singer Arrested After Overdose

Los Angeles Times

Depeche Mode lead singer David Gahan, who survived a suicide attempt last August, was arrested early Tuesday morning in West Hollywood after overdosing on drugs, authorities said.

The arrest of Gahan, 34, for investigation of cocaine possession and being under the influence of heroin, capped a traumatic weekend for the record industry.

Bradley Nowell, lead singer for the punk-reggae trio Sublime, was found dead in his San Francisco motel room Saturday, apparently of a drug overdose. He was 28.

The events cast a pall once again over the industry, which only last month applauded the Stone Temple Pilots for canceling all their shows until lead singer Scott Weiland overcomes his addiction problems. Industry observers hoped that the group’s action would trigger a move away from rock’s laissez faire attitude toward drug abuse, which remains a significant problem among today’s bands.

A source said Gahan, who was hospitalized briefly in Los Angeles last August after using a razor blade to slash 2-inch lacerations on each wrist, has been attending 12-step meetings during the last few years.

A spokesman for Depeche Mode said the band, which has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, was taking a three-month break after spending much of this year recording a new album in London and New York.

About 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies and paramedics responding to a call of a drug overdose found Gahan passed out on the floor of a room at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, according to Sgt. Guy Earl of the West Hollywood station.

The singer, whose group’s best-known songs include “Just Can’t Get Enough” and “Personal Jesus,” was treated for a drug overdose at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center before being taken to the sheriff’s station and booked.