Guy Fletcher

Guy Edward Fletcher (born 24 May 1960 in Maidstone, Kent) is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the Synthesizer player in the rock band Dire Straits^[1] from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his involvement in many parts of Mark Knopfler's solo work.

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.^[2]

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's '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 of the same name with Gary Langan.^[3]

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 former band founder, Mark Knopfler, as a core member of his band after launching his solo career. Between late February and August, 2005, Fletcher completed a world tour as his sideman, 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 latest solo 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. Mark Knopfler guests as lead guitarist 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 Californian wife, Laura, and their two children, Max and Leon, in 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 cousin of UK children's television presenter Justin Fletcher.

Discography

Solo

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

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guy Fletcher.

• GuyFletcher.co.uk