Depeche Mode's Andy Fletcher dies

[Blackleaf]

Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher dies​

​

By Doug Faulkner
BBC News
26 May 2022

Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher has died, the band has announced.

The band said they were "shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate".

The statement went on to say that the keyboard player had a "heart of gold" and their "hearts are with his family".

Fletcher, who was 60, was a founding member of the band which found success with their dark electronic sound with hits including Personal Jesus
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Depeche Mode had chart success in the 1980s and 1990s with singles including New Life, Enjoy the Silence and Just Can't Get Enough.

Andrew Fletcher (right) with Depeche Mode in Berlin in 1984. From left: Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Alan Wilder.

The group was founded in Basildon, Essex, in 1980 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years ago.

In a statement posted on social media, the band said: "Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint."

Fletcher, who was born in Nottingham, remained with the band throughout its four-decade history, which included two number one albums, Ultra and Songs of Faith and Devotion.

His last studio album with the band was 2017's Spirit, their 14th, which reached number five in the UK albums chart.

He leaves behind wife Grainne, to whom he was married for almost 30 years, and two children, Megan and Joe.

Andy Fletcher was a founding member of the band

Lol Tolhurst, former drummer with rock band The Cure, described the news of Fletcher's death as "very sad".

"I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We crossed many of the same pathways as younger men," he tweeted.

In a post on Facebook, synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys said: "Fletch was a warm, friendly and funny person who loved electronic music and could also give sensible advice about the music business."

Sister Bliss, from electronic band Faithless, described Fletcher as a "keyboard warrior" and tweeted that he was "gone way too soon".

Dave Gahan (left) and Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode perform live on stage at the O2 Arena in London

A picture of Andy Fletcher is projected on a big screen as Depeche Mode perform in Anaheim, California

Andy Fletcher performing in Rome in 2013

Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher dies - BBC News

The band say they are "shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness" in a statement on social media.

www.bbc.com

 

[Decapoda]

Unusual for a 60 year old person to die of "natural causes." Seems to be a lot of that happening these days.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Unusual for a 60 year old person to die of "natural causes." Seems to be a lot of that happening these days.

Yep, it's the "cleaning his gun" of the 21st century.

Not fond of the press lying, however good its intentions, but is it really anybody's business what the cause of death was?

 

[Decapoda]

Yep, it's the "cleaning his gun" of the 21st century.

Not fond of the press lying, however good its intentions, but is it really anybody's business what the cause of death was?

Media intentions are never good. Personal health information privacy is so 2019.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Media intentions are never good. Personal health information privacy is so 2019.

First part, true.

Second part, don't know about up yonder, but hereabouts personal health information privacy only applies to health-care providers and insurance companies.

 

[taxslave]

First part, true.

Second part, don't know about up yonder, but hereabouts personal health information privacy only applies to health-care providers and insurance companies.

Also applies to employers here.

 

[Blackleaf]

The article states that Fletcher was one of the electro band's keyboard players. But he wasn't really. Musically, he did almost nothing. He did the odd little sound effect and that was it. It seems as though his main contribution to the band was the business and management side of it but the band had him as an actual member. He's also the guy who forced one of the main keyboardists, Alan Wilder, out. Keyboardist Vince Clarke left the band to form Yazoo (with Alison Moyet) and then Erasure (with Andy Bell), stating that their music was too dark for his tastes, so now Fletcher has gone the band - the most successful electronic band ever - is now a duo consisting of vocalist Dave Gahan and keyboardist Martin Gore.