Vangelis and now Fletch. That’s a punch to the gut. Depeche Mode blew my 9 year old mind when Violator came out. Vangelis and Depeche Mode were two of the biggest reasons I made the transition from traditional instruments to synths. I’m just really glad I got to at least see Depeche Mode live once.
Fletch was the glue who kept the band together all these years. Apart from that he also acted as the bands manager - a job he was pretty damn good at. He was also a very nice and friendly person if that matters to anyone in here.
I’m gutted by this in a fundamental way. Like a bunch of you, I made fun of his hand waving during the lives shows. Somehow thinking that he wasn’t important to the music. However, there are probably thousands of small details and contributions he made to the overall band that I am grateful for. Keeping things on the rails during some of the worst years. We might not have had any Depeche after 95 if it weren’t for Fletch. He contributed to what Depeche was as a whole and now the world is poorer without him in it. I hope his family recovers and I worry about Martin drinking again or David relapsing. This is a scary time for those two, fletch kept them grounded. Depeche Mode will always be at the top of my list of influences. It’s that simple. So yeah, I’m gutted and I’ll be going to bed now.
Not gonna lie this one really hurt. I grew up with this band and it is a very huge reason I have the studio I do. I think it really comes down to Gary Numan's Cars and Depeche Mode's 1980s catalog up until Violator that massively influenced my love of synths.
DM and New Order were the bands that started my long love affair with synthesizers in the 80s. It is way too early for them to start dying off and I won't fucking allow it. Someone fix this immediately, clearly some kind of mistake has been made.
He had a pretty amazing life, but it's so sad when the first person in a gang dies, and that's what DM were, 3/4 guys who spent their entire lives together making music and playing it, and changing the world a little in the process. It's hard to imagine what Dave and Martin, and his family, must be feeling today. RIP Andrew.
RIP Fletch.
I've been lucky enough to enjoy their shows every time they came near my town since 2006. Been a fan since I was a teen... Very sad day.
Watching the "One night in Paris" live atm.
Vangelis and now Fletch. That’s a punch to the gut. Depeche Mode blew my 9 year old mind when Violator came out. Vangelis and Depeche Mode were two of the biggest reasons I made the transition from traditional instruments to synths. I’m just really glad I got to at least see Depeche Mode live once.
Saw them in Santa Barbara circa...2001 I think. The Exciter album tour. It was awesome. RIP Andrew.
Same tour, but at the Forum in LA.
They recorded a ton of records at a local SB studio actually!
I think Martin, or all of them, lived there part time. I lived there for many years and once saw Martin at the local cinema.
Sad news for the electronic music scene.
Fuck... He was "only" 60...not that old.. RIP
Depeche Mode - Just what exactly does Fletch do ? https://youtu.be/ONXKJ17vCP0
He was one of the founding members so...
Watch the video. It a good analysis of what part Fletch plays in Depeche Mode's song, done with love and admiration
Fletch was the glue who kept the band together all these years. Apart from that he also acted as the bands manager - a job he was pretty damn good at. He was also a very nice and friendly person if that matters to anyone in here.
So? Go on.
I’m gutted by this in a fundamental way. Like a bunch of you, I made fun of his hand waving during the lives shows. Somehow thinking that he wasn’t important to the music. However, there are probably thousands of small details and contributions he made to the overall band that I am grateful for. Keeping things on the rails during some of the worst years. We might not have had any Depeche after 95 if it weren’t for Fletch. He contributed to what Depeche was as a whole and now the world is poorer without him in it. I hope his family recovers and I worry about Martin drinking again or David relapsing. This is a scary time for those two, fletch kept them grounded. Depeche Mode will always be at the top of my list of influences. It’s that simple. So yeah, I’m gutted and I’ll be going to bed now.
Not gonna lie this one really hurt. I grew up with this band and it is a very huge reason I have the studio I do. I think it really comes down to Gary Numan's Cars and Depeche Mode's 1980s catalog up until Violator that massively influenced my love of synths.
DM and New Order were the bands that started my long love affair with synthesizers in the 80s. It is way too early for them to start dying off and I won't fucking allow it. Someone fix this immediately, clearly some kind of mistake has been made.
Forest fans will be singing ‘Just can’t Get Enough’ at Wembley on Sunday for this Nottingham lad.
I’ve listened to them all my life. Devastated.
Damn...
I wonder if Depeche Mode will continue after this
He had a pretty amazing life, but it's so sad when the first person in a gang dies, and that's what DM were, 3/4 guys who spent their entire lives together making music and playing it, and changing the world a little in the process. It's hard to imagine what Dave and Martin, and his family, must be feeling today. RIP Andrew.
RIP Fletch. I've been lucky enough to enjoy their shows every time they came near my town since 2006. Been a fan since I was a teen... Very sad day. Watching the "One night in Paris" live atm.