Guy Edward Fletcher (born 24 May 1960) is an English musician, best known for his position as one of the two keyboard players in the rock band Dire Straits[1] from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his subsequent work with Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler for his many solo releases. Fletcher was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.[2]
Background information
Birth name
Guy Edward Fletcher
Born
(1960-05-24) 24 May 1960 (age 64)
Origin
Genres
Occupation(s)
Musician, record producer
Instrument(s)
Keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
Labels
Inamorecords
Website
Guy Edward Fletcher was born into a musical family and is the namesake of his uncle, Guy Fletcher, who wrote several hit songs for other artists with composing partner Doug Flett.[3] His mother Barbara was a session singer; his father Ted Fletcher, an audio designer, created a line of audio equipment named after Joe Meek with whom he had worked.[4]
Fletcher is also the cousin of children's television presenter Justin Fletcher.[3]
Whilst learning a trade as an audio engineer at DJM Studios in London at the age of 15, Fletcher also had a succession of his own bands and learned to play keyboards, guitars, and a variety of stringed instruments. He joined and toured with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel in 1979 and in 1981, and with Roxy Music for their Avalon world tour during 1982 and 1983. In 1983, Fletcher was recruited by Dire Straits' lead guitarist Mark Knopfler to work on the music for the films Cal and Comfort and Joy. He joined Dire Straits in 1984, his first album with them being their most successful, 1985's Brothers in Arms, which put the band in a global spotlight.
In 1986, Fletcher co-produced Belouis Some's album Belouis Some with Gary Langan.[5]
In 1996, Fletcher toured as part of Bryan Ferry's band on his Mamouna world tour.
Following the disbanding of Dire Straits in 1995, Fletcher continued his association with band founder Mark Knopfler as a core member of his band after launching his solo career. In 2005, Fletcher completed a world tour 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 his Knopfler's album, Get Lucky, and was again part of his subsequent world tour in 2010.
Fletcher's first solo album, Inamorata, was released on 28 January 2008. Knopfler guested as lead guitarist for two tracks, and various musicians who have been associated with Knopfler's band also made appearances.
Fletcher's second album, Stone, was released in 2009; his third, Natural Selection was released in 2010 with High Roads, being released in 2016.
His latest album, Anomaly, was released 22 April 2022.
