Depeche Mode founding member Andy Fletcher has died aged 60

Andrew Fletcher, keyboardist and a founding member of Depeche Mode (pictured right), has died aged 60.

The electronic band released a statement, writing: “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.

“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 heart are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time.”

Fletch co-founded Depeche Mode with Martin Gore, Vince Clarke and Dave Gahan in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. He had previously been in a band called Composition Of Sound that he had formed with Gore and Clarke earlier that year, and Clarke then left the group after the release of their debut album ‘Speak & Spell’ in 1981 to form Yazoo with Alison Moyet and was replaced by Alan Wilder.

Depeche Mode grew into a definitive electronic act of the 1980s, with six UK Top 10 albums in that decade alone, along with Top 10 singles such as ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’, ‘See You’, ‘Everything Counts’ and ‘People Are People’. They also released the track ‘Personal Jesus’ which was ranked 368 in Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 and was covered by Marilyn Manson.

Depeche Mode became even more successful in the 90s, with albums ‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’ and ‘Ultra’ topping the charts in numerous countries, and have maintained a steady stream of Top 10 albums through to the present day.

In 2020 the group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

A cause of death for Andrew Fletcher has not been announced.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Editor, follow him on Twitter