Andy “Fletch” Fletcher, co-founder and keyboardist of beloved synth-pop and New Wave Depeche Mode fans, has died at the age of 60.
Fletcher’s bandmates announced his death on social media on Thursday; Rolling Stone has confirmed that the cause of death was natural causes. “We are shocked and overwhelmed by the overwhelming sadness of the untimely death of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher,” the band said in a statement.
“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.”
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– Depeche Mode (@depechemode) May 26, 2022
Fletcher was a member of Depeche Mode for over 40 years, from his official lineup in 1980 and his 1981 debut album Speak and Spell up to his most recent LP, Spirit of 2017.
In 2020, Fletcher and his longtime bandmates Depeche Mode members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore and former members Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their pioneering role in synth-pop, new wave and electronics. musical movements; the band has also played an influential role in heavy metal.
“The beauty of using electronics is that you can now make music in your bedroom,” Fletcher told Rolling Stone in 1990. “You don’t have to gather four people in a warehouse to practice. You don’t have to have four great musicians. fighting between them. You can do it in your bedroom, and it all depends on ideas. “
Although Gahan was the band’s leader and Gore its lead songwriter, the band (and Fletcher himself) often joked about Fletch’s role in the group. “Dave is the singer, Martin is the songwriter, Alan is the great musician and I’m just sinking,” he joked in the band’s 1989 documentary 101, co-directed by DA Pennebaker.
Beyond his ambiguous musical contributions, Fletcher is credited with playing on the band’s 14 studio albums and countless concert performances that fill the stadium; Fletcher also had the unofficial title of tiebreaker in case Gore and Gahan got into creative clashes.
“Most of the time we agree with each other,” Fletcher told Rolling Stone France in 2017. “But we also have this golden rule that if Martin, Dave or myself are really against any thing, we would agree with that. [tiebreaker]”It’s a team thing.”
Fletcher also commented on his role in Depeche Mode’s sound formation in a 2009 interview: “Inside the band, I bring the pop element. (Gore), who writes most of the songs, loves the blues. and American country. And Dave has discovered jazz for himself. However, I will probably feel eternally loyal to the simple pop melodies and lightness they represent. “
Lol Tolhurst of The Cure tweeted on Thursday: “It’s very sad news today. Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher has passed. I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We’ve crossed many of the same paths as younger men. My heart goes out. with his family, bandmates and DM fans. RIP Fletch “.