Andrew Fletcher, keyboardist and founding member of the British electronic band Depeche Mode, has died at the age of 60. A statement from the group on social media read: “We are shocked and overwhelmed by the overwhelming sadness of the untimely death of our dear friend, a family member, and his bandmate Andy” Fletch “Fletcher.”
Formed in Basildon in the late 1970s, the band has had 14 major studio albums in the UK and hits international charts with songs such as Enjoy The Silence, Personal Jesus and Just Can’t Get Enough.
The band went on to say: “Fletch had a real heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold look. Our heart is with her family, and you we ask that you have them in your thoughts and respect their privacy at this difficult time. “
Best known during his career for his nickname “Fletch”, Fletcher was born in 1961 in Nottingham and moved to Basildon where in the late 1970’s he formed the band Composition Of Sound with Martin Gore and Vince Clarke. With the hiring of singer Dave Gahan they changed their name to Depeche Mode, and the quartet enjoyed a number of hits from the early eighties.
Depeche Mode appeared on Top The Pops in 1981, starring LR Andrew Fletcher, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Vince Clarke. Photography: Michael Putland / Getty Images
With the departure of Clarke, who formed Yazoo and later Erasure, Gore became the lead songwriter, and with the addition of Alan Wilder, the band’s sound took a darker, more gothic twist and enjoyed a great international success in the late 80s and early 90s.
Depeche Mode in Berlin 1984: clockwise from top left Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder, Andrew Fletcher, Martin Gore. Photography: Michael Putland / Getty Images
Fletcher has appeared on all 14 Depeche Mode studio albums to date, including Songs Of Faith And Devotion in 1993 and Ultra in 1997, which reached number 1 on the UK album chart.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode
One of the first artists to be honored was Lol Tolhurst, a founding member of Cure, who said: “I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We have crossed many of the same paths as younger men. My heart goes out to the his family, his bandmates and DM fans. “
More to follow …