“Fletch had a true heart of gold”: This is how the pop band Depeche Mode pays tribute to its founding member Andy Fletcher. The keyboard player died on Thursday. He was only 60 years old.
Keyboardist for British synth-pop band Depeche Mode, Andy Fletcher, has died at the age of 60.
“We are shocked and filled with immeasurable sadness at the untimely death of our dear friend, family and band member Andy “Fletch” Fletcher,” the band wrote on Twitter Thursday night. There were no further details about his death. Fletcher leaves behind his wife and two children.
“Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a laugh or a cold beer,” the band continued. Hearts are with his family and we ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.
The news of death caused great sadness among fans and colleagues. Former The Cure drummer Lol Tolhurst wrote on Twitter that he thought Fletcher was a friend. “As young men, we crossed many of the same paths.” And the Pet Shop Boys wrote on Facebook that they were sad and shocked. “Fletch was a warm, friendly and funny person who loved electronic music and could also offer sound advice about the music business.”
Fletcher, who was born in Nottingham, founded Depeche Mode in Basildon in 1980 with Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. With the debut album “Speak And Spell” and the hit single “Just Can’t Get Enough”, Depeche Mode became famous as part of the new wave scene. With pop classics like “Everything Counts”, “Enjoy The Silence” or “Personal Jesus”, which went far beyond the synth sound of other artists of their time, Depeche Mode became one of the world’s most successful bands – with more than 100 million worldwide sound carrier sold.
Most recently, the album “Spirit” was released in 2017. Two years ago the band was included in the «Rock
