Andy Fletcher, founding member of the British group Depeche Mode, died at the age of 60, the group announced Thursday, “shocked” by this “premature” departure.
“We are shocked and filled with immense sadness at the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and band member,” said the band, which formed in 1980 in Basildon, some 40 miles away. east of London.
Born in July 1961 in Nottingham, Andrew Fletcher, nicknamed “Fletch” was one of the band’s keyboardists.
“Fletch had a real heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint,” Depeche Mode said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to his family,” added the group asking to “respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Andy Fletcher leaves behind Grainne, his wife of 30 years, and two children, Megan and Joe.
Depeche Mode has sold over one hundred million records worldwide. Among his greatest hits, Just can’t get enough, Everything Counts, Never Let Me Down Again, or Walking in my Shoes.
Pioneers of synthetic pop in the early 1980s, they developed this genre to free themselves from it by opening up to guitars in the early 1990s.
The group enjoyed immense success with the album Violator (1990), which notably includes the hits Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence.
Depeche Mode had debuted in the top 11 of the UK charts in June 1981 with their second single New Life.
Originally, the band included keyboardist and songwriter Vince Clarke, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter Martin Gore, keyboardist Andy Fletcher, and vocalist and songwriter Dave Gahan.
Vince Clarke left the band at the end of 1981 and was replaced two years later by Alan Wilder.
Depeche mode’s latest studio album, Spirit, was released in 2017, followed by a tour of Europe and the Americas.
Many artists, from pop to techno, now claim their influence.
Lol Tolhurst, drummer of The Cure, reacted to the announcement of the death of Andrew Fletcher by regretting “very sad news”.
“I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We crossed the same paths many times when we were younger,” he said.
Carol Decker, lead singer of T’Pau, described Andrew Fletcher as “a lovely guy”, adding, “Sending all my love to his family friends and band members.”
