Came here to post the same. Just a shit week overall in this world. I'm seriously in shock over this. Fletch wasn't old. I hadn't heard about him being ill. Depeche Mode have been in my life for 40 long years. This one hurts.

Can't believe this...he was just 60...that's far too young. RIP Fletch.

RIP

He mad a lot of great music that will live for eternity.

He and Ray Liotta two of my favs died today

Too young, and I'm too young to have my teenage icon band members start dying on me too. Cranking up "Violator" today in his honour. He wasn't the flashiest member of the band by any means, but I kind of thing he was the beating heart of it.

Back in 1999, I got to hang out with Fletch for over 4 hours at his restaurant in London. It was called Gascogne. I went there every time I visited the U.K., and saw Fletch each time I was there. Once I asked my waitress why. She said he lived around the corner and would pop in if only for a minute to check up on things. One time, he was at the bar having a glass of white wine and reading a magazine. I was with friends having dinner. One of the females in my group walked over and gave him a picture she just drew of him on a napkin. She's beautiful so he was immediately smitten with her. And had a huge smile on his face. They were talking for a while, so I decided to go over with another female friend to get her. In case she was wearing out her welcome. We made small talk with him, saying how much we enjoyed the restaurant and how great the food was. Then started to walk back to our table. I looked over my shoulder and said "You can join us if you like?". There was an awkward pause and then he said "Sure!". He bought us a few bottles of wine, a few rounds of cocktails, and even some shots. Around 11:00 PM, he decided to lock the front door but didn't ask us to leave. He stepped behind the bar and started DJing for my group. Everyone gathered around, the girls were dancing, and we had more drinks. It was an amazing night.

One of my all time favorite bands. RIP brother.

That's cool that he hung out with you- I've never run into a celebrity offstage but I've always been afraid I'd be bothering them if I did. Many of them do value their privacy. Glad I got to see Depeche Mode in concert back in 1988, my ears were ringing afterwards which is why I haven't been to many other concerts since.

So I wonder if he's found God laughing?

That's why I purposely didn't mention I was a fan when I approached him. I just said I loved his restaurant. Which I did, that food was great. And yes, I initially only went there because he owned it. But had the food been crap, I wouldn't have gone back. And he clearly knew that we knew who he was. But I'm not "that guy" and never have been. Half of my family are in Southern California and I've seen famous people all my life. Once Fletch joined us at the table we all started talking about music in general, not just Depeche Mode. In fact, he brought them up first and told us about their upcoming album ("Exciter"). Since it was 1999, I don't think they had gone into the studio yet. That album came out in 2001. But he was really funny. Britney Spears was big at the time. And he leaned into me at one point and said he thought she was hot and liked her tits. His exact words. I also saw Martin Gore at Gascogne once too, he was at the bar surrounded by your average Joe's talking sports. And was absolutely hammered. I didn't get a chance to talk to him that night, but did at the Four Seasons bar in Philly a few years later after their "Exciter" concert. And then at one of the bars at the Borgata in Atlantic City after their "Playing the Angel" concert. Poor guy was even more drunk that night. But so friendly. Walking around talking to everyone. This is us.

RIP - Far too young to go. Only saw Depeche Mode once live, 101 Rosebowl concert back in 1988, and they were amazing.

Saw DM at 101 back in '88 as well. Yesterday was truly a sad day for music and movie fans.

RIP Fletch.

We got to see Depeche Mode here in Tulsa in 2018. Way too young to pass. Rest in peace.

Rip