Guy Fletcher Information
Guy Edward Fletcher (born 24 May 1960, Maidstone, Kent, England) is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the keyboardist in the British rock band Dire Straits[1] from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his involvement in nearly every part of Mark Knopfler's solo work to date.
Contents |
Biography
Fletcher was born into a musical family; his uncle, also named Guy Fletcher, has written several hits for other artists with composing partner Doug Flett, and joined Roxy Music in 1981 for their 'Avalon' world tour.
Fletcher learned keyboards, guitars, and a variety of stringed instruments. In 1983, Fletcher was recruited by Dire Straits' lead guitarist Mark Knopfler to work on the music for the film Cal. He joined Dire Straits in 1984, a year before their most successful album, Brothers in Arms, which put the band in a globally acclaimed spotlight.
In 1985, Fletcher performed the title song for Woodland Animations Stop Motion cartoon, Bertha.
Following the disbanding of Dire Straits in 1995, Fletcher has continued to be associated with the band's frontman Mark Knopfler's solo career as a core member of his band. Between late February and August, 2005, Fletcher completed a world tour with Mark Knopfler, promoting Knopfler's 2004 solo album, Shangri-La and in 2006 rounded off the duets tour with Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. Fletcher co-produced and played keyboards on Mark Knopfler's latest solo album, Get Lucky, and was again part of his subsequent world tour in 2010.
In 1996, Fletcher toured as part of Bryan Ferry´s band on his Mamouna world tour.
Solo work
Fletcher's first solo album, Inamorata, was released on 28 January 2008. Mark Knopfler guests on lead guitar for two tracks, and various musicians who have been associated with Knopfler's band also make appearances.
On 24 May 2010, Fletcher released his second solo album, titled Natural Selection.
Personal life
Fletcher lives with his wife and two children in Bognor Regis. He is an avid windsurfer and weather watcher. At the bottom of his garden he built a studio where he has recorded not only some of his own material, but material by Billy Piper and local acts from the area such as Mexicola; a young three piece who were based just a few doors down.
Fletcher's eldest son Maxfield started Brighton based band, The Vaudeville. In under a year they have gained great local acclaim & gone on to support large touring acts in Brighton (The Vaccines, Detroit Social Club and Little Comets) Fletcher has also recorded The Vaudeville.
On his 48th birthday, Fletcher was given Knopfler's red Stratocaster on stage in Brighton as a gift.
Fletcher is the cousin of UK children's television presenter Justin Fletcher.
References
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: Dire Straits". AMG. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4101/biography. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Guy Fletcher |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fletcher, Guy |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | |
| Date of birth | 24 May 1960 |
| Place of birth | |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
Categories:
- 1960 births
- English keyboardists
- Living people
- English session musicians
- People from Maidstone
- Dire Straits members
|