Depeche Mode keyboardist Andrew Fletcher died of “aortic dissection” at the age of 60, the band said.
Nicknamed “Fletch,” Fletcher founded the group in Basildon in 1980 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years ago.
After his death on May 26, the band said “love overflowed” and it was “unbelievable” to see how much he meant to everyone.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Depeche Mode said: But we saw and felt all of your love and support, and we know that Andy’s family does too.
“A few weeks ago we received the results from a coroner. Andy’s family asked us to share with you now.
“Andy suffered an aortic dissection at home on May 26, so even if it was much earlier, he passed by naturally and without long-term pain.”
The band said they held a celebration of his life in London last week and described it as “a beautiful ceremony and weeping gatherings”, but who was Andy, the story of all our time, And some good laughs. “
Aortic dissection is a condition in which a laceration occurs in the inner layer of the aorta.
Depeche Mode keyboardist Andrew Fletcher died of “aortic dissection” at the age of 60, the band announced.
Nicknamed “Fletch,” Fletcher founded the group in Basildon in 1980 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years ago.Above: Andy Fletcher during the recording of the “Later with Jools Holland” TV show in London on April 28, 2009.
“Andy was celebrated in a room full of his friends and family, our direct DM family, and so many people who have been in contact with Andy and our lives for years.” They said.
“Being together was a very special way to remember Andy and see him off.
“So thank you for all the love you have shown to Andy and his family and friends over the past few weeks. It honestly means the world to all of us. Andy, you will be overlooked. I will never forget it. “
The statement was approved by bandmates Martin Gore and Dave Ghan.
Pictures from left to right: 1987 Depeche Mode Fletcher, Dave Ghan, Alan Wilder, Martin Gore in the midst of success
Born in Nottingham, Fletcher moved to Basildon as a boy, where he and Gore and Vince Clarke formed a band that became known as Depeche Mode.
While Clark left in the early 1980s, Fletcher remained in the group for 40 years from his debut album Speak & Spell to the 2017 Spirit.
During this period, two of his albums topped the charts: Songs Of Faithand Devotion and Ultra.
Despite their popularity, the band never had the No. 1 single, but reached No. 4 in 30 years with People Are People, Barrel Of A Gun, and Precious.
Fletcher left behind his wife Grain, who had been married for nearly 30 years, and his two children, Megan and Joe.
Fletcher was often modest about his role in Depeche Mode compared to his fellow musicians Gore, Alan Wilder and Dave Ghan.
In an interview with Documentary 101 in 1989, he explained their role as follows:
Despite their popularity, the band never had the No. 1 single, but reached fourth place in 30 years with People is People, Barrel of a Gun, and Precious.
The band chose its name from the French fashion magazine Depeche Mode, and frontman Gahan explained: I like this kind of sound. ‘
(From left to right) Fletcher with Depeche Mode bandmates Dave Ghan and Martin Gore on March 21, 2013 in Berlin.
As one of the co-founders of Depeche Mode in 1980, Fletcher was behind a series of hits, including “Just Can’t Get Enough.”
Fletcher performing in Depeche Mode in London Astoria on July 23, 1981
Clockwise from top left: Depeche Mode Dave Ghan, Alan Wilder, Andrew Fletcher, Martin Gore in Berlin in July 1984.
Depeche Mode did his first gig at school in 1980, created a demo tape and personally distributed it to a record company.
They finally recorded their first single “Dreaming of Me” in December 1980 for the indie label Mute Records. Its founder, Daniel Miller, was interested in their unique electronic sound.
It reached number 57 on the UK charts. Boosted by their early success, the band recorded a follow-up single, “New Life,” which reached number 11 on the charts and made its debut in Top of the Pops.
Memorably, the band drove to the BBC studio in London with a synthesizer.
The band’s debut album “Speak and Spell” began with “New Life” and ended with one of the band’s lasting hits, “Just Can’t Get Enough.”
It was this third single, “Just Can’t Get Enough,” that drove the group to stardom and recorded the first top 10 hits.
Around this time, the original synthesizer Clark left the band to form Yazoo with Alison Moe, but Depeche Mode was another hit such as “Enjoy the Silence,” “Strange Love,” and “Personal Jesus.” The song was a success in the 80’s.
The group gained international success with the 1984 “Some Great Reward” and the single “People are People,” whose attention grew only in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Fletcher lent keyboards to classic albums such as “Music for the Mass,” “Black Celebration,” and “Biolator.”
These firsts led to a live album, a documentary, and a world tour that brought about a legendary concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This represents the pinnacle of band excellence.
Fletcher (taken in 1984) helped define the synth-pop music genre as a Depeche Mode keyboard player.
Depeche Mode musician Andrew Fletcher will be speaking on stage at the 2013 Convention Center in Austin, Texas.
Andrew Fletcher attends private view of photographer Dave Benett’s new exhibition “Great Shot, Kid” in London on February 16th.
Fletcher, a chess-loving Chelsea FC fan, was an unobtrusive member of the group. He didn’t sing or write songs, and his face wasn’t as familiar as his bandmate’s.
Fletcher has processed much of the band’s business and media interests. He expanded his career in the 1990s by running a restaurant named Gascogne’s in St. John’s Wood, northwest London.
After a series of bad investments, he admitted in 1994 that he was suffering from depression and endured the collapse, but recovered to continue his performance for the next few decades.
He launched his own record label Toast Hawaii in 2002 and released the band CLIENT’s album.
Fletcher played a DJ set at the band’s live show and continued to perform at festivals and clubs after he and CLIENT broke up.
The band’s last studio album “Spirit” was released in 2017.
In an interview with AFP before the release, members said they were proud to attract listeners of other genres, including rock fans who rarely set foot in dance clubs.
“One of our legacy is to make electronic music popular with the masses,” Fletcher said.