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How did Andy Fletcher die? Depeche Mode keyboardist dead at 60, fans say 'terrible day for music'

Depeche Mode announced Fletcher's death on Twitter, saying 'Fletch had a true heart of gold'

Andy "Fletch" Fletcher, keyboardist and one of the founding members of the British electronic band Depeche Mode, has died at the age of 60. A statement was released by the band on social media on Thursday, May 26, "We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.”

Fletcher formed Depeche Mode in 1980 with Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, and Vince Clarke, who was initially seen as the auteur of the group before abruptly departing after their debut album and leaving Gore as the principal songwriter ever since. Depeche Mode had chart success in the 1980s and 1990s with singles including 'New Life', 'Enjoy the Silence' and 'Just Can't Get Enough'. “Fletch” was the least outwardly showy of the core trio, often wearing shades as he stood behind the keyboards while the more demonstrative Gahan and Gore roamed the stage, but still he could stir up the public. It has been a sad day for the music industry as they cope with the deaths of two musical stalwarts - Fletcher and YES drummer Alan White. 

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The band went on to say in their statement, "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. Our hearts are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time.”

How did Alan Fletcher die?

Fletcher is believed to have died of natural causes. Born in 1961 in Nottingham, Fletcher moved to Basildon where he formed the band Composition Of Sound in the late 1970s alongside Martin Gore and Vince Clarke. With the recruitment of singer Dave Gahan, they changed their name to Depeche Mode, and the quartet went on to give great hits in the 80s.

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

'Many mistake me for the fifth wheel' at Depeche Mode

In a 2013 interview with Electronic Beats, Fletcher said he was, "the tall guy in the background, without whom this international corporation called Depeche Mode would never work. There is this big misunderstanding that in guitar bands real men are working real instruments — evening after evening — while in a synthesizer band like Depeche Mode nobody works, because it’s all machines."

"But that’s bull----. … Apart from the singer, the audience doesn’t really know which role which musician has within the group. But bands like Kraftwerk or Depeche Mode actually work as divisions of labor collectives. The contribution of each individual remains invisible. And because I don’t push myself to the fore, many mistake me for the fifth wheel."

Over the course of Fletcher’s tenure with the group, they sold over 100 million records worldwide and had 54 songs chart on the UK Singles Chart. As a member of Depeche Mode, Fletcher was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

“We’re a democracy. If someone doesn’t want to do something then we won’t do it,” Fletcher said in a 2017 interview with The Skinny in the UK. “Martin and Dave live in the US and I live here, but it doesn’t really affect our relationships. Me and Martin are very close. Dave is more like a brother to me — if that makes sense. But what makes bands better than solo artists is the electricity that’s generated."

Many artists paid tribute to Fletcher after learning about his demise. One of the artists, Lol Tolhurst wrote, "Very sad news today. Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has passed. I knew Andy and considered him a friend. We crossed many of the same pathways as younger men . My heart goes out to his family, bandmates, and DM fans. RIP Fletch."

Yazoo’s singer Alison Moyet, who recorded on the same record label as Depeche Mode, wrote, "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. #andyfletcher"

English pop duo, Pet Shop Boys wrote, "We’re saddened and shocked that Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has died. Fletch was a warm, friendly and funny person who loved electronic music and could also give sensible advice about the music business."

"We’re saddened and shocked that Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode has died. Fletch was a warm, friendly and funny person who loved electronic music and could also give sensible advice about the music business."

Fletcher's fans also paid tribute to the artist. A user wrote, "Andy thanks for all the emotions you gave us. You will always be in the hearts of every fan. R.I.P."

Another user wrote, "My heart is broken! I love your music, that since I heard you in the schoolyard break 1989 from big boxes, which stood in the window of the music room. I experienced my last concert with you in the Waldbühne." One fan wrote what many in the music industry were feeling with the death of two musical greats, "Terrible day for the music : Alan White( YES drummer) and now this …my deep condolences to the group and “ Flecht” http://family.RIP."