Alan Wilder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Wilder
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Wilder performing in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alan Charles Wilder |
| Born | 1 June 1959 Hammersmith, London, England |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
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Alan Charles Wilder (born on June 1, 1959) is an English musician, composer, and record producer. He was a member of the famous electronic band Depeche Mode from 1982 to 1995. After leaving Depeche Mode, he focused on his own music project called Recoil. He also helped other bands by producing and remixing their songs. In 2020, Alan Wilder was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Depeche Mode. He is a musician who trained in classical music.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Alan Charles Wilder was born in London, England. He was the youngest of three brothers. He started playing the piano when he was eight years old, encouraged by his parents. Later, he learned to play the flute at school. He became a top musician in his school bands.
After school, Wilder worked as a studio assistant at DJM Studios. This job helped him work with different bands. Some of these bands included the Dragons and Dafne & the Tenderspots. He also played with Real to Real and the Hitmen. He even appeared on a popular song called "If I Had You" by the Korgis in 1979.
Joining Depeche Mode (1982–1995)
After one of Depeche Mode's original members, Vince Clarke, left the band, they looked for a new keyboard player. They put an advertisement in a music magazine. Alan Wilder, who was 22 at the time, lied about his age to get the job, as they wanted someone under 21.
He joined Depeche Mode in January 1982. At first, he was just a keyboard player for their tours. But soon, he became a full member of the band. His first work in the studio with them was on the song "Get the Balance Right!" in late 1982.
Wilder wrote a few songs for Depeche Mode. These included "Two Minute Warning" and "The Landscape Is Changing." He also helped create some B-sides, which are extra songs released with singles. However, his biggest contributions were as a musician, arranger, and producer. He helped shape the band's sound.
Besides playing synthesizers, Wilder also played piano on the band's famous song "Somebody." He was very skilled at arranging different parts of songs for live shows. For the album Songs of Faith and Devotion, he even played live drums during concerts.
One of his most famous contributions was to the song "Enjoy the Silence." He took a slower, sadder demo version of the song and turned it into a lively, melodic dance track. This song became one of Depeche Mode's most successful hits.
Leaving the Band
In June 1995, Alan Wilder announced he was leaving Depeche Mode. He said he was unhappy with how the band worked together. After he left, he was asked to join another band called the Cure, but he decided not to. He wanted to focus on his own music.
Wilder did reunite with Depeche Mode briefly on February 17, 2010. He played the piano on the song "Somebody" during a special concert in London.
Recoil: His Solo Project (1986–Present)
Recoil started in 1986 as an experimental music project. His first release was a short collection of songs called 1 + 2. This caught the attention of Daniel Miller, the head of Mute Records, who released it. An album called Hydrology followed in 1988.
For Recoil's album Bloodline in 1992, Wilder invited other singers to join him. This was the first time he used guest vocalists for Recoil. He continued to release more albums under the Recoil name, including Unsound Methods (1997), Liquid (2000), and SubHuman (2007).
In 2012, Recoil released a concert film called A Strange Hour in Budapest.
Personal Life
In 1991, Alan Wilder bought a large country home in England. He built his own recording studio there, which he called The Thin Line. In 2024, he put the property up for sale, wanting to move to a smaller place. He also bought a vacation home in Norway in May 2024.
Music Releases
This section lists some of the music Alan Wilder has been involved with.
Early Music Work
- The Korgis – "If I Had You" (1979)
- The Hitmen – "Ouija" (1981)
With Depeche Mode
Alan Wilder was part of many Depeche Mode releases from 1983 to 1994.
Studio Albums with Alan Wilder
- Construction Time Again (1983)
- Some Great Reward (1984)
- Black Celebration (1986)
- Music for the Masses (1987)
- Violator (1990)
- Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)
Live Albums with Alan Wilder
- 101 (1989)
Popular Singles with Alan Wilder
- "Get the Balance Right!"
- "Everything Counts"
- "People Are People"
- "Master and Servant"
- "Shake the Disease"
- "Stripped"
- "Strangelove"
- "Never Let Me Down Again"
- "Personal Jesus"
- "Enjoy the Silence"
- "Policy of Truth"
- "I Feel You"
Depeche Mode Songs Written by Alan Wilder
Alan Wilder wrote or co-wrote several songs for Depeche Mode:
- "Two Minute Warning" (from Construction Time Again, 1983)
- "The Landscape Is Changing" (from Construction Time Again, 1983)
- "If You Want" (from Some Great Reward, 1984)
- "Black Day" (co-written, 1986)
As Recoil
- 1 + 2 (1986)
- Hydrology (1988)
- Bloodline (1992)
- Unsound Methods (1997)
- Liquid (2000)
- SubHuman (2007)
- Selected (2010)
Other Projects and Remixes
Alan Wilder has also worked on music for other artists:
- In 1991, he mixed a song for the band Nitzer Ebb.
- He produced the Nitzer Ebb album Ebbhead in 1991.
- In 2001, he added sounds to a song for the band Curve.
- He covered songs for a tribute album to the band Talk Talk in 2012.
- He created a remix for Depeche Mode's song "In Chains" in 2011.
Images for kids
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Wilder performing in 2010
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Alan Wilder (left) with Depeche Mode, 1985
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Alan Wilder (right) performing in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Alan Wilder para niños
