Today would have been Andy Fletcher's 61st birthday. Since he suddenly finished aging a few weeks ago, we can only celebrate this occasion in his absence.
In an unconventional band, Andy always played and unconventional role. He was a musician who didn't play much. There's a lot of video evidence of the band playing live, with him barely touching his keyboards, singing into a microphone that doesn't seem to carry his voice into the speakers. (He does have one confirmed vocal performance on a studio recording: his distorted voice saying one word in an interlude on the Violator album). Since he was never the sole keyboard-player in the band, it's even possible that he never played a single note on any record. Unlikely, but possible. He's known to have taken part in recording samples, but that's pretty much it. Yet, I still believe his contributons to Depeche Mode were essential: I'm sure he never shyed away from sharing his opinion, and in an unconventional band (see above), you can have a lot of influence on the end result without actually playing an instrument. Also, great bands are never just the sum of their parts, and I'm pretty sure no one would have kept him around for 40+ years as a band member offering his opinions and taking his cut, if it wasn't for the better.
So, what now? Cruel as it sounds, Andy was the only member of the band whose demise wouldn't autoamtically end it all: there is no Depeche Mode without Dave's voice and showmanship or Martin's songs (and voice and everything else), and it's up to those two to decide if it still feels like the band without someone who was always there with them, every step of the way.
Mr. Fletcher, thank you for everything, you'll remain in our hearts as long as they keep beating, and we're grateful that you were born, 61 years ago today.
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