Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher has died

The keyboardist of the British cult band “Depeche Mode”, Andy Fletcher (60), is dead! The group announced this on Twitter and Instagram.

The band’s sympathy statement read: “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness at the untimely death of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.”

Fletcher had a true heart of gold and was always there “when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold beer,” said his bandmates.

A person close to the band said Fletcher died of natural causes at his home on Thursday, according to the AP news agency.

Andy Fletcher formed the synth-pop band Depeche Mode in 1980 with Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. The Brits achieved world fame with hits like “Enjoy The Silence”, “Personal Jesus” and “Just Can’t Get Enough”.

The band named The Velvet Underground, Kraftwerk and David Bowie († 69) as influences for Depeche Mode’s characteristic style.

In 2017, the last Depeche Mode album to date, the title “Spirit”, was released.

On Instagram, the fans mourn their idol. A follower writes stunned: “I can’t believe my eyes while reading this. I hope that everyone in Andy’s family and circle of friends finds the strength now to deal with this unimaginable pain.”

Ex-drummer of the band The Cure, Lol Tolhurst (63), wrote on Twitter that Fletcher was a friend to him: “Our paths crossed again and again as young men.”

The Pet Shop Boys were said to be sad and shocked. “Fletch was a warm, friendly and funny person who loved electronic music and could also offer sound advice about the music business.”

According to the English Daily Mail, Fletcher suffered from depression that led to a nervous breakdown in 1994.