Publisher's Synopsis
Depeche Mode are an electronic group formed in Basildon, Essex, England, UK during 1980, their latest lineup comprising Dave Gahan (lead vocals and co-songwriting), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, and chief songwriting), and Andy Fletcher (keyboards). Depeche Mode issued their first L.P. Speak & Spell (1981), as part of the British new wave scene, with founding member Vince Clarke, who departed after its release, before they recorded A Broken Frame as a trio. Martin took over as their main songwriter, with Alan Wilder joining to replace Vince the following year, establishing a line-up that lasted for 13 years. The band's final albums of the '80s, Black Celebration and Music for the Masses, established them as a dominant force within the electronic music scene. A highlight of this era was their concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in June 1988, when they attracted a crowd of over 60,000. The group issued Violator during early 1990, which became an international mainstream hit, being followed by, Songs of Faith and Devotion in 1993, another success, though internal struggles within the band during recording and touring led to Wilder's departure during 1995. Depeche Mode have had 54 songs in the UK Singles Chart and 17 top 10 UK L.Ps, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. Q magazine included the group in the list of the "50 Bands That Changed the World!" Depeche Mode also ranking # 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Billboard named them the 10th most successful dance club artists of all time in December 2016.
