Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher dead at 60

Andy Fletcher, a founding member of the electronic band Depeche Mode who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 2020, has died at age 60.

A cause of death has not been released for the keyboardist, but his bandmates said in an announcement Thursday that the loss left them “shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness.”

“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,” Depeche Mode said in their statement.

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

The English-born Fletcher launched Depeche Mode in 1980 alongside current members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore, as well as Vince Clarke, who left the group in 1981. Alan Wilder joined the band shortly afterward and performed with Depeche Mode for more than a decade.

Known for songs such as “Enjoy the Silence” and “Just Can’t Get Enough,” Depeche Mode has released 14 studio albums, sold more than 100 million records and been nominated for five Grammys.

Fletcher began as a bass player for Depeche Mode but was known for having an undefined role with the band, filling multiple positions. His contributions included helping with the business side during the group’s early years, when Depeche Mode didn’t have a manager.

Depeche Mode released seven albums during its first decade of existence, with Fletcher saying in a 2009 interview with Bohemian that making music was the members’ sole focus early on.

“We were very young, you know? All we had in our lives was Depeche Mode, and we made an album pretty much every year, we toured every year,” Fletcher said.

“And it was just a fantastic feeling, especially to break in America like we did, which was something completely unexpected for us, and one of the sort of nice things that’s happened in our career. But now, we’re domesticated; we’ve got families and stuff. And I think quite a lot of our fans are in that situation as well, so. It doesn’t mean you don’t love music; it’s just different, you know.”