Coming up, legendary band Depeche Mode created one of the greatest records from one of music’s greatest years… 1987. The name of the record was of course Music for the Masses, and it was meant as a big joke. A joke that the band laughed about until it actually came true. This shy and introverted foursome went from playing in front of 3 people to selling out stadiums and they never compromised their art to do it. The story of the song Never Let Me Down Again and the record that took ‘em to the masses is next on Professor of Rock.

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So, if you asked Depeche Mode if they had gone mainstream with their sixth studio, the answer would be an obvious and resounding “no.” So one has to be curious why choose Music for the Masses as the name of the album? Well, according to Keyboardist Andy “Fletch” Fletcher, the name of the record was tongue in cheek. And in songwriter Martin Gore’s words “I think our music never crosses over to the general public, hence the album title... It’s only the fans who buy our stuff.”

The title Music for the Masses was basically a sarcastic response to that prospect that Depeche Mode might be getting too big for their britches or trousers. Quite simply, it was a joke... And as it turns out, one that a lot of people missed. DM was never interested in winning any popularity contests. They were proud outsiders and misfits, always living on the fringes of the vibrant 80s pop scene.

However… In an ironic twist of fate, the facetious title actually proved to be an accurate prediction of things to come. By March 1988, just over four months after its release, Music for the Masses went Gold. It also certified Platinum before any of its predecessors on February 1, 1991. In the UK album charts, it reached #10, and #2 in Germany.

Then one month after the release, Depeche Mode set out on their most ambitious tour to date with shows in Europe, Japan, and across North America. 101 shows to be precise. And that 101st performance? It was merely a 70,000-seat sell-out at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

There was no doubt, then or now, that Depeche Mode was on a steady march to mega-stardom. And with the benefit of hindsight, we all know what happened to Depeche Mode at the start of the 90s. Violator happened... For Music for the Masses Depeche Mode broke up their longstanding production team in favor of the multifaceted David Bascombe.

Though this was his first major production assignment, he had already started putting together an enviable resume, working with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Tears for Fears. The combination of Bascombe’s fresh perspective and the end of the mostly-strict moratorium on traditional instruments, allowed Depeche Mode to approach their signature, dark, and otherworldly song-scapes with a renewed vigor.

Yes, for the first time, Depeche Mode relaxed their synth-only approach.