Depeche Mode’s keyboardist Andy Fletcher has died on the age of 60, the band has introduced.
Fletcher, nicknamed “Fletch”, based the group in Basildon in 1980 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame two years in the past.
In a press release, Depeche Mode stated: “We’re shocked and full of overwhelming unhappiness with the premature passing of our expensive pal, member of the family and bandmate.
“Fletch had a real coronary heart of gold and was at all times there if you wanted assist, a vigorous dialog, an excellent snigger, or a chilly pint”.
Fletcher was born in Nottingham and moved to Basildon as a younger boy, the place he fashioned the band that might turn into often known as Depeche Mode with Martin Gore and Vince Clarke.
Whereas Clarke left within the early Nineteen Eighties, Fletcher stayed with the group all through its four-decade historical past, from its debut album Communicate and Spell to 2017’s Spirit.
Throughout this era, two of its albums reached #1 within the charts: Songs of Religion and Devotion, and Extremely.
Lol Tolhurst, drummer with The Treatment, shared a heartfelt tribute to Fletcher after information of his demise broke.
“Very unhappy information at the moment. Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has handed,” he tweeted.
“I knew Andy and regarded him a pal. We crossed lots of the identical pathways as youthful males.
“My coronary heart goes out to his household, bandmates, and DM followers. RIP Fletch.”
Carol Decker, lead singer for the band T’Pau, described Fletcher as “a stunning man”, including: “Sending all my like to his household pals and band members.”
And Pet Store Boys stated in a submit on Fb: “We’re saddened and shocked that Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has died.”
Fletcher was typically modest about his function in Depeche Mode in comparison with that of his fellow musicians, Martin Gore, Alan Wilder and Dave Gahan.
In an interview for the 1989 documentary 101, he described their roles as: “Martin’s the songwriter, Alan’s the nice musician, Dave’s the vocalist, and I bum round.”
Regardless of their recognition, the band by no means had a No.1 single, although they reached No.4 throughout three separate a long time with Persons are Individuals, Barrel of a Gun and Treasured.
Fletcher leaves behind a spouse, Grainne, to whom he was married for nearly 30 years, and two kids, Megan and Joe.
His former bandmates stated their “hearts are along with his household” and requested followers to “maintain them in your ideas and respect their privateness on this tough time”.
The reason for demise has not but been confirmed.
Kaynak: briturkish.com