“Fletch had a real heart of gold and was always there when you needed support.”
Andy Fletcher, founding member and keyboardist of the legendary English electronic / synth-pop group Depeche Mode, has died. He was 60 years old.
AP reports that Fletcher died of natural causes at his home in England.
“We are shocked and overwhelmed by the overwhelming sadness of the untimely death of our dear friend, family and bandmate Andy” Fletch “Fletcher,” Depeche Mode said in a statement this morning.
“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 hearts are with your family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Fletcher formed the pioneer group in Basildon, England in 1980 with his bandmates Vince Clarke and Martin Gore.
They released their debut album, Speak & Spell, the following year. It included the massive hit “Just Can’t Get Enough”, which was one of the top 5 in Australia.
Skip the YouTube video
NVDA FireFox users: To access the following content, press ‘M’ to enter the iFrame.
It was just one of the hits the band released during their time together, including ‘Personal Jesus’ from 1989, ‘Barrel Of A Gun’ from 1997 and ‘Precious’ from 2005.
Its influence extends far beyond the simple ones of the lists. Depeche Mode has released 14 studio albums, the most recent being Spirit of 2017, and his work has maintained a standard.
Singer Alison Moyet, who led the band Yazoo with Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke, has known Fletcher for 50 years.
“I just heard the news,” he wrote on Twitter. “Since we were 10 years old. Same farm. Classmates to label classmates. He who kept faith with the whole old gang and they with him. He doesn’t count. Fletch. I have no words.”
Fletcher’s influence is clear through the countless musicians who have honored the keyboardist since his death was announced a few hours ago.
“Fletch was a warm, friendly, fun person who loved electronic music and could also give sound advice on the music business,” Pet Shop Boys said on Twitter.
“From the moment Violator starts, you know you’ve been introduced to a new soundscape,” wrote Vernon Reid of Living Color. “Delicious. Familiar. Strange. Funky. Unknown. Every wave, every attack is a transporter. Every sound is like that. Andy Fletcher was a magician, not a muggle.”
“I knew Andy and considered him a friend,” wrote Lol Tolhurst, a founding member of The Cure. “We crossed many of the same paths as younger men. My heart goes out to his family, his bandmates and DM fans. RIP Fletch.”