Throwback: Happy Belated 63rd Birthday, Andy “Fletch” Fletcher

July is a very busy month in music history:

• The iconic Debbie Harry celebrated her 79th birthday on July 1
• The B-52s Fred Schneider celebrated his 73rd birthday on July 1
• Missy Elliott, one of the most forward thinking artists of her generation — and perhaps of any generation, really — celebrated her 53rd birthday on July 1
• Evelyn “Champagne” King celebrated her 64th birthday on July 1
• Depeche Mode‘s Yaz’s/Yazoo’s and Erasure‘s Vince Clarke celebrated his 63rd birthday on July 3
• The great jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith was born 82 years ago on July 3
• Bill Withers was born 86 years ago on July 4 
• Huey Lewis and The News‘ frontman Huey Lewis celebrated his 74th birthday on July 5
• 50 Cent celebrated his 49th birthday on July 6
• The Beatles‘ Ringo Starr celebrated his 84th birthday on July 7

As a child of the ’80s, I grew up obsessively watching MTV. I loved Duran Duran, Run DMC, LL Cool J, and so many others. I was dimly familiar with some of Depeche Mode‘s songs — in particular “People Are People” and “Just Can’t Get Enough,” which were smash hits, but I personally fell in love with 1990’s Violator. 

Depeche Mode co-founder Andy “Fletch” Fletcher was born 63 years ago on July 8. Although we lost him two years ago, he was an instrumental part of some of the most beloved songs ever written and recorded.

Happy belated birthday, Andy! Happy birthday, wherever you are!