Andy Fletcher (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andy Fletcher
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Fletcher in 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andrew John Leonard Fletcher |
| Also known as | Fletch |
| Born | 8 July 1961 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England |
| Origin | Basildon, Essex, England |
| Died | 26 May 2022 (aged 60) United Kingdom |
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| Years active | 1977–2022 |
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Andrew John Leonard Fletcher (born 8 July 1961 – died 26 May 2022), also known as Fletch, was an English musician. He was a keyboard player and DJ. He was also a founding member of the electronic music band Depeche Mode. In 2020, he and the band became members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life
Andy Fletcher was the oldest of four children. His parents were Joy and John Fletcher. When he was two years old, his family moved to Basildon. He played football in the local Boys' Brigade when he was young.
Music Career
Depeche Mode
Fletcher was 15 years old in 1976 when punk rock music became popular. He felt lucky to experience this new music style. He was influenced by bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Kraftwerk.
In 1980, Fletcher and his school friend Vince Clarke formed a band called No Romance in China. Fletcher played the bass guitar in this band. Later, Fletcher met Martin Gore. The three of them, all playing synthesizers, formed a new group called Composition of Sound.
Soon, Dave Gahan joined the band as the singer. They then changed their name to Depeche Mode. Vince Clarke left the band in late 1981.
After Clarke left, the band continued with Fletcher, Gore, and Gahan. Alan Wilder joined the band in 1982. Depeche Mode then had four members until Wilder left in 1995. From that time on, the main three members – Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher – continued to make music together.
Fletcher's Role in Depeche Mode
Andy Fletcher's job in Depeche Mode was special. In the beginning, he played bass. As the band grew, each member found their best role. Martin Gore wrote the songs, Dave Gahan was the singer, and Alan Wilder was a very skilled musician.
Fletcher helped with many of the band's business and legal matters. He was interested in the parts of the music industry that other musicians often avoid. He also often spoke for the band. He would announce new albums and tour plans.
People also said he was the one who helped the band members work together. He often found ways to solve disagreements between Gahan and Gore.
In the studio and during live shows, Fletcher played different synthesizer parts. These included bass sounds, pads, and strings. He also used samples.
Fletcher was the only member of Depeche Mode who did not sing lead vocals. While he sometimes sang in the background, his voice was usually very quiet or only heard through his own stage speakers.
Toast Hawaii
In 2002, Fletcher started his own record label. It was called Toast Hawaii. He signed a band named CLIEИT. He helped them record their first two albums. He also made special "remixes" for some of their songs.
CLIEИT left the label in 2006. After that, Toast Hawaii did not release any more music.
DJ Career
Fletcher started to tour as a DJ to support CLIEИT's live shows. When he was not busy with Depeche Mode, Fletcher would play music at festivals and clubs. He performed in places where Depeche Mode had not played before. He often included special Depeche Mode remixes in his DJ sets.
In late 2015, Fletcher went on a small tour of clubs in Europe.
Personal Life
Andy Fletcher was married to Gráinne Fletcher for almost 30 years. They had two children together.
In the early 1980s, Fletcher was known for being very good at chess. Another musician, Neil Arthur, said he could "never win a game of chess with Andy Fletcher!"
During the 1990s, Fletcher owned a restaurant in London called Gascogne.
Death
Andy Fletcher passed away at his home on 26 May 2022. He was 60 years old.
See Also
In Spanish: Andrew Fletcher para niños
