One day in the early 2000s, my now ex-wife and I were visiting our relatives in southern West Virginia. During this visit, my then-brother-in-law told us this story:Said ex-brother-in-law worked at an electrical manufacturing shop in Bland County, Virginia, that makes things like large electrical generator parts for factories. All the employees at the shop except for one were white, which is very reflective of Bland County's lily-white demographics.
But that one exception, a middle-aged African-American janitor, continually sported a Depeche Mode baseball cap.
While one doesn't wish to generalize based on race, age, or location, the probability that an African-American male in his 50s or 60s in Bland County, Virginia, would be wearing any item of Depeche Mode clothing seems fairly low.
My ex-brother-in-law was understandably curious, and one day he asked the guy about the cap.
The man's response? "My son is Martin Gore."
My ex and I were completely "whaaaaaaaaa?" This sounded like crazy talk.
But on the other hand, it seemed like such an improbable thing for this guy to have decided to invent - not "my son's Jerry Rice" or "my daughter is Halle Berry," but "my son is this pale guy from this English synth-pop group that no one would think I've ever heard about and most of the people around me wouldn't even know."
Well, it turns out that it's completely true. The guy was a GI stationed in England in 1960-61, and he was indeed the biological father of Martin L. Gore.
So this humble African-American janitor in rural Bland County, Virginia, begat one of the titans of '80s synth-pop. Who'd'a thunk it?
8 comments:
Now that's a great story.
Yeah completely random, thanks for posting.
Since I was a little kid I had this huge crush on Martin Gore (not so much anymore though, he's not so hot in his older age!). Everything about him was always so individualistic, different, unique, wierd, arty, appealing and alluring. The fact that he's actually mixed makes him even moreso. I think finding out that his dad is black was the most shocking AND the coolest thing I've ever heard. I wish he still dressed up in his 'punk' garb!! Hope this particular story about his dad and the baseball cap is actually true though! If it is true, its awesome!
Doesn't the GI bill support veterans in getting higher paying jobs after they serve? I'm curious what he looks like, but it is not really my business.
Not if you are not white. Particularly in the not so distant U.S. past. Look up "institutionalized racism."
In one of interviews Martin stated that his father is black. His mother told him that for the fear of his children being born black and much to the parents surprise. I am not sure if the guy you met is his biological father or not, but indeed Martin Gore has a black biological father.
In one of interviews Martin stated that his father is black. His mother told him that for the fear of his children being born black and much to the parents surprise. I am not sure if the guy you met is his biological father or not, but indeed Martin Gore has a black biological father.
Awesome story
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