Depeche Mode: Pet Shop Boys lead tributes to late keyboardist Andy Fletcheron May 27, 2022 at 9:57 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The synth-pop duo call the keyboardist, who died this week aged 60, “warm, friendly and funny”.

Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode

Image source, Getty Images

Pet Shop Boys, Alison Moyet and The Smashing Pumpkins have led the tributes to Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher, who died this week aged 60.

Fletcher was a founding member of the UK electronic band who found success with hits including Personal Jesus.

Synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys described him as “a warm, friendly and funny person who loved electronic music…”

Singer Moyet, who grew up on the same Basildon estate as Fletcher, was left speechless by the news of his death.

She 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.”

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

US rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, in an online post, described the musician as “legendary and inspirational”, saying they were “saddened” to hear of his death.

British singer Carol Decker tweeted: “Fletch was a lovely guy, DM [Depeche Mode] one of my all time favourite bands, sending all my love to his family friends and band members.”

Depeche Mode had chart success in the 1980s and 1990s with dark electronic singles including New Life, Enjoy the Silence and Just Can’t Get Enough.

The band confirmed the news of Fletcher’s death on Thursday, saying they were “shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness”.

Andrew Fletcher (right) with Depeche Mode in Berlin in 1984. From left: Martin Gore Dave Gahan and Alan Wilder.

Image source, Getty Images

The statement went on to say that the keyboard player had a “heart of gold” and their “hearts are with his family”.

Founded in Basildon in 1980, the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years ago.

In a statement posted on social media, the band said: “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.”

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

Fletcher, who was born in Nottingham but moved to Basildon as a child, remained with the Depeche Mode throughout its four-decade history, which included two number one albums, Ultra and Songs of Faith and Devotion.

Broadcaster and DJ Richard Blade told the BBC that Fletcher was the driving force behind the band.

‘The backbone of Depeche Mode’

“People always think of Dave [Gahan] being the singer and frontman and Martin [Gore] being the songwriter, but Andrew was the backbone of Depeche Mode,” said Blade.

“Martin Gore said to me one time that there would be no Depeche Mode without Andrew Fletcher, he was the one who would always get Dave and Martin and at the time [former bandmate] Alan Wilder together and say, ‘get in the studio, let’s work on a new album, let’s get a tour together’.”

Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode

Image source, Getty Images

Lol Tolhurst, the drummer in fellow 80s rock act The Cure, described the news of Fletcher’s death as “very sad”.

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

Dave Gahan (L) and Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode perform live on stage at the O2 Arena

Image source, Getty Images

Sister Bliss, from electronic outfit Faithless, described Fletcher as a “keyboard warrior” and tweeted that he was “gone way too soon”.

Miles Hunt, frontman of The Wonder Stuff, recalled Fletcher and his Depeche Mode bandmates having been a “welcoming, kind and encouraging bunch of people”.

Depeche Mode performing live

Image source, Getty Images

Fletcher’s last studio album with the band was 2017’s Spirit, their 14th, which reached number five in the UK albums chart.

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

Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode performing in Rome

Image source, Getty Images

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Panini: The sticker firm celebrating 60 yearson November 17, 2021 at 1:58 am

How the football sticker maker survived a thieving tycoon and competition from Lycra-clad wrestlers.

Tearful Federer ends career with final match in Londonon September 24, 2022 at 12:44 am

Roger Federer brings the curtain down on his illustrious career by teaming up with fellow great Rafael Nadal on an emotional night in London.The...

Ukraine war: Almost half Ukraine’s energy system disabled, PM sayson November 19, 2022 at 5:37 am

As temperatures drop below freezing, Russian missiles have crippled Ukraine's energy system.Image source, Getty ImagesBy George WrightBBC NewsA recent wave of Russian missile and...

Energy bills to rise to £3,000 a year from Aprilon November 17, 2022 at 1:21 pm

Help has been extended, but it's now less generous, meaning a typical household will pay more.Image source, Getty ImagesHelp with energy costs has been...

School defibrillators: State schools to receive life-saving devices by 2023on July 17, 2022 at 6:09 am

The government will provide funds so all schools can have at least one kit after parents' campaign.All state-funded schools in England will have a...