Andrew John Leonard Fletcher, also known as Fletch, was the founding member and keyboard player of 80’s English electronic band Depeche Mode.
A public social media statement from Fletcher’s bandmates said ‘We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher. He had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint. Our hearts are with his family and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy at this difficult time’.
Fletcher was often seen as a type of managerial, background figure in the band ‘the glue’ as such, looking after the business side of the group who are credited with selling more than 100 million records worldwide.
Fletcher was born in 1961 in Nottingham, then moving to Basildon where he formed Composition of Sound in the late 70’s with Vince Clarke and Martin Gore, later recruiting lead singer Dave Gahan and subsequently changing the name to Depeche Mode.
The band enjoyed huge international success from the late 70’s into the 80’s having 17 top 10 albums including well known songs like Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus and their most popular Just Can’t Get Enough.
Lol Tolhurst, founding member of the Cure sent his condolences ‘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’
Yazoo’s Alison Moyet had a long standing friendship with Fletcher as childhood friends and were both signed to the same record label. Moyet said ‘I have just heard the news. Since we were 10. Same estate. Class mates to label mates. He who kept faith with all the old gang and they with him. It doesn’t compute. Fletch. I have no words.’
Fletcher’s cause of death is unknown at this stage. He leaves behind a wife, Grainne, who he was married to for nearly 30 years and two children Joe and Megan.
