Depeche Mode (pronounced /dəˌpeʃˈmoʊd/) is an English electronic music band formed in 1980, in Basildon, Essex, England. The group's original line-up was Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andrew Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). Vince Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (lead keyboards, production 1982–1995). Since Wilder's departure, Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher have continued as a trio.
Depeche Mode is one of the longest-lived, most successful and influential bands to have emerged from the New Wave era. It has had forty-five songs in the UK Singles Chart, as well as #1 albums in UK, US and throughout countries in Europe. According to EMI, Depeche Mode has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, as part of total worldwide record sales (including singles) in excess of 100 million.
