Guy Fletcher

Guy Fletcher
Performing with Mark Knopfler, 18 July 2008 at the NAC in Ottawa, Canada
Background information
Birth name Guy Edward Fletcher
Born (1960-05-24) 24 May 1960
Origin Maidstone, Kent, England, UK
Genres Rock, folk
Occupation(s) Musician, engineer, arranger, producer
Instruments Synthesizer, guitar, backing vocals
Labels Inamorecords
Associated acts Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Roxy Music, The Notting Hillbillies, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
Website Official website

Guy Edward Fletcher (born 24 May 1960 in Maidstone, Kent) is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the keyboard player in the rock band Dire Straits[1] from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his subsequent work with Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler. Fletcher was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.[2]

Biography

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. His mother Barbara was a session singer and his father Ted Fletcher, an audio designer, (Orbitsound) created a line of audio equipment named after Joe Meek with whom he had worked.[3]

Whilst learning a trade as an audio engineer at DJM Studios in London at the age of 15, Guy 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, Roxy Music for their 'Avalon' world tour. In 1983, Guy 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, a year before their most successful album, Brothers in Arms, which put the band in a globally acclaimed spotlight.

In 1986, Fletcher co-produced Belouis Some's album Belouis Some with Gary Langan.[4]

In 1996, Fletcher toured as part of Bryan Ferry´s band on his Mamouna world tour.

Fletcher performing on 15 April 2005

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.

Solo work

Fletcher's first solo album, Inamorata, was released on 28 January 2008. Knopfler guests as lead guitarist for two tracks, and various musicians who have been associated with Knopfler's band also make appearances.

Fletcher's second album, Stone, was released in 2009, his third, Natural Selection was released in 2010, and his most recent, High Roads, was released in 2016.

Personal life

Fletcher lives with his Californian wife, Laura, and their two children, Max and Leon, in Aldwick, West Sussex. He is an avid windsurfer, golfer and paddleboarder. Guy has his own recording studio where he has recorded his own albums ('Inamorata', 'Stone' and 'Natural Selection'), scored film and television projects and produced other artists such as Brighton based 'Native Roses' and former Dire Straits colleague, John Illsley.

Fletcher's eldest son Max is also a musician, currently living in Brighton.

On his 48th birthday, Fletcher was given a red Mark Knopfler Stratocaster on stage in Brighton as a gift.

Fletcher is the nephew of the songwriter also called Guy Fletcher and the cousin of UK children's television presenter Justin Fletcher.[5]

Discography

Solo

  • Inamorata (28 January 2008)
  • Stone (16 October 2009)
  • Natural Selection (24 May 2010)
  • High Roads (2016)

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: Dire Straits". AMG. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "Bon Jovi, Dire Straits Lead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Class". Rolling Stone. 13 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "About Ted Fletcher". Tfpro.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "British New Wave Artist". Belouis Some. Retrieved 2014-06-30.
  5. ↑ "BBC - CBeebies Presenters - Justin". Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.