Andy Fletcher, one of Depeche Mode’s founding members in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has died. The group’s social media accounts announced an “untimely departure” and the group said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” by the death of their groupmate. He was 60 years old.
Fletcher, who is often referred to by the band and fans as “Fletch”, has been the chart topper for three out of three consecutive Sint-Rock band members since the 1980s. Depeche Mode for most of their careers was the principal songwriter Martin Gore and frontman Dave Gahan, Fletcher has served as a more useful musician in the band over the years, taking on bass and synthesis duties as needed (especially live).
Fletcher also had much of the group’s legal and commercial responsibilities, the group did not have an official manager until Jonathan Kessler formally signed a contract with them in 1994. The trio, Fletcher, also gained increasing importance as a mediator and ineffective vote between Gori and Gahan.
Still, with no official instrumental mention in the band and no songwriter on any of their albums, Fletcher’s actual role in Depeche Mode has often been hinted at (over 143,000 views on a half-hour YouTube video called “What Does He Do?” Fletch? ). And sometimes mocked. Fletch himself played with the joke for years, saying it in 1989. 101 Documentary “Martin is a songwriter, Alan is a good musician, Dave is a vocalist… and I’m crazy”.
Fletcher, Gore, Gahan and original composer/keyboardist Vince Clark formed Depeche Mode in Basildon, England in 1980, Clark left after his first album and was replaced by Wilder. The band quickly became one of the defining acts of the pop-pop era, with British hits “Just Can’t Get Enough”, “See You” and “Dreaming of Me” before heading down a darker path. finally. Conquering the American underground with heavier and more provocative songs with singles like “People Are People”, “Blasphemous Rumours” and “Strangelove”.
The group’s box office success in 1990 Rapist, and the accompanying global crossword “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” (the last solo group on the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, 8th), confirmed Depeche Mode as one of the best global artists of the pre-grunge era. Alt Rock. Your later 1993 Songs of Faith and Devotion They debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart as well as the official UK charts, with the group reaching the Top 10 on both charts after their six LP releases since 2017. soul. They remain the best live raffle to this day, playing in arenas and stadiums around the world and are often cited for influencing bands in genres from alternative pop to industrial and non-metal. In 2020, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In addition to working on Depeche Mode, Fletcher briefly produced a label for the famous British indie label Mute Records, called Toast Hawaii, and signed with electro-pop duo Client. He also spent time as a restaurant, opening Gascogne Restaurant in the St. John Wood in London in the 1990s and playing some parties as a DJ on a brief tour in the mid 10’s.
“Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold beer,” the group said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and I ask that you keep them in mind and respect their privacy during this difficult time. See the full statement below.
– Depeche Mode (@depechemode) May 26, 2022
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
