Live Music Head
Darryl Tahirali
NHLKiDD
In the early 80’s, Depeche Mode emerged as key players in the New Wave movement. Their synthesizer driven music was poppish and catchy and they quickly developed a loyal fan base. Each album after saw them explore a darker edge both lyrically and in style. By 1990, they released Violator which would go on to be both their best received album and one of their best selling. Depeche Mode has one of the rare distinctions of being a successful Alternative band in multiple decades all while selling millions of records to devoted fans. Their biggest obstacle to induction is likely the fact that synthesizer based music has yet to make a real dent in the Hall.
Previous Rank:
2010: #34
Eligible Since:
2006
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom (Basildon, England)
Why They Will Get In:
Unlike other British Groups they were able to crack the American market.
Why They Won’t Get In:
Electronic based bands are not yet in the hall.
Nominated In:
Never
Essential Albums:
Black Celebration (1986)
Music for the Masses (1987)
Violator (1990)
Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:
Everything Counts (From Construction Time Again, 1983)
Behind The Wheel (From Music for the Masses, 1987)
Personal Jesus (From Violator, 1990)
Enjoy the Silence (From Violator, 1990)
I Feel You (From Songs of Faith and Devotion, 1993)
Comments
A few more synthpop acts were more popular than even these guys (Duran Duran)..
I have to refute that Sean, eventhough Duran Duran (more a rock band than synth pop anyway) were massive in the US between 82 and 85, they slipped quite dramatically until a brief return to the top ten in 1993. Depeche Mode on the other hand built their popularity through playing live constantly throughout the 80s and came into the 90s with a bang, Violator has actually outsold Rio in the States and to this day, every one of their albums goes straight into the Billboard Top 10, their last, 2009's Sounds Of The Universe peaked at #3. Duran's last Top 10 album in the US was 1993's Wedding Album. Up until 1988, Depeche Mode had never had a Top 10 record in the States, but still managed to draw 60,000 people to the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
RSS feed for comments to this post