Andy Fletcher, Founding Member Of Depeche Mode, Dies At 60

Andy Fletcher, best known as a founding member of the electronic music band Depeche Mode, died at the age of 60. His role in the band saw him as bassist, keyboard player, and even occasional manager and peacemaker for the iconic group that had been active since 1980.

Andy Fletcher Cause Of Death

He reportedly passed away on May 26 from natural causes at his home and was honored by plenty including his former bandmates online. “Fletch had a heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint,” they wrote.

Andrew John Leonard Fletcher was born July 8, 1961 in Nottingham, England. He grew up in Basildon, Essex after moving there at the age of two. He first discovered punk music at the age of 15 and named bands like Kraftwerk and The Cure among his early musical influences.

He formed several short-lived bands with classmate Vincent Clarke and they later met Martin Gore through the Essex music scene. They formed the trio Composition Of Sound, which changed its name to Depeche Mode after the singer Dave Gahan joined the group. Clarke would soon depart the group to be replaced by Alan Wilder. Fletcher remained with the group through their 14 studio album releases and extensive tours as they became more and more renowned and influential.

While Fletcher didn’t contribute songwriting to the band or vocals often to tracks, his role as manager and mediator was essential in keeping the band afloat and managing tensions between members. DJ Richard Blade, once said, “Martin Gore said to me 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 Alan Wilder together and say, ‘get in the studio, let’s work on a new album, let’s get a tour together.'”

Even if he was a pillar of the band, Fletcher always had a sense of humor about the group and his role. In a 1989 documentary about the band by D.A. Pennebaker, Fletcher joked, “Martin’s the songwriter, Alan’s the good musician, Dave’s the vocalist, and I bum around.”

He was also known for being an active touring DJ between commitments to Depeche Mode and pursued several business ventures throughout his career including a restaurant, and the short-lived record label Toast Hawaii. Fletcher was infamous on tour for being nigh-unbeatable among his peers in a game of chess.

Fletcher’s last full collaboration with Depeche Mode was the 2017 album Spirits and the global tour following it. Check out their politically charged single, “Where’s The Revolution” below.