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Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher dies aged 60

Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode (PA)
Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode (PA)

Depeche Mode’s keyboardist Andy Fletcher has died at the age of 60, the band has announced.

Fletcher, nicknamed “Fletch”, founded the group in Basildon in 1980 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years ago.

In a statement, Depeche Mode said: “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and bandmate.

“Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint”.

Depeche Mode had chart success in the 1980s and 1990s with singles including New Life, Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence.

Their dark electronic sound produced hits including Just Can’t Get Enough.

Lol Tolhurst, drummer with The Cure, shared a heartfelt tribute to Fletcher after news of his death.

“Very sad news today. Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has passed,” he tweeted.

Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder, Andrew Fletcher, Martin Gore of Depeche Mode in 1984 (Getty Images)
Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder, Andrew Fletcher, Martin Gore of Depeche Mode in 1984 (Getty Images)

“I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We crossed many of the same pathways as younger men.

“My heart goes out to his family, bandmates, and DM fans. RIP Fletch.”

Fletcher was born in Nottingham and moved to Basildon as a young boy, where he formed the band that would become known as Depeche Mode with Martin Gore and Vince Clarke.

While Clarke left in the early 1980s, Fletcher stayed with the group throughout its four-decade history, from its debut album Speak and Spell to 2017’s Spirit.

During this period, two of its albums reached Number 1 in the charts: Songs of Faith and Devotion, and Ultra.

Carol Decker, lead singer for the band T’Pau, described Fletcher as “a lovely guy”, adding: “Sending all my love to his family friends and band members.”

And Pet Shop Boys said in a post on Facebook: “We’re saddened and shocked that Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has died.”

Fletcher was often modest about his role in Depeche Mode compared to 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 good musician, Dave’s the vocalist, and I bum around.”

Fletcher leaves behind a wife, Grainne, to whom he was married for almost 30 years, and two children, Megan and Joe.