Guy Fletcher

This article is about the Dire Straits musician; for his uncle of the same name, the producer and songwriter, see Guy Fletcher (songwriter).

Guy Fletcher
Performing with Mark Knopfler at the NAC in Ottawa, Canada, 2008
Performing with Mark Knopfler at the NAC in Ottawa, Canada, 2008
Background information
Birth nameGuy Edward Fletcher
Born (1960-05-24) 24 May 1960 (age 64)
OriginMaidstone, Kent, England
GenresRock, folk
Occupation(s)Musician, record producer
Instrument(s)Keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
LabelsInamorecords
Websiteguyfletcher.co.uk

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]

Biography

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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 as a full time member in 1984, his first album with them being their most successful, 1985's Brothers in Arms, which put the band in a global spotlight, and remained with the band until their 1995 disbanding.

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.

In 2013, Guy produced the album Tierra by renowned flamenco artist Vicente Amigo.

Fletcher performing in 2005

Following the disbanding of Dire Straits, 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.

Guy Fletcher continues to collaborate with Mark Knopfler to this day. In early 2024 Knopfler assembled a supergroup, referred to as Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes, to record a new version of "Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero" to support the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. The two-year project was entirely produced, recorded and mixed by Fletcher and was released on 15 March 2024, featuring contributions from more than sixty musicians.[6][7] Fletcher also co-produced Knopfler's latest album, One Deep River, released in April 2024.[8]

Solo work

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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.

Discography

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With Roxy Music

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With Bryan Ferry

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With Dire Straits

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With The Notting Hillbillies

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With Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins

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With Mark Knopfler

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With Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris

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With Blues Club

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  • Rollin' & Tumblin' (Volume 1) (2011)

Soundtrack albums

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Additional work

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Solo

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  • Inamorata (28 January 2008)
  • Stone (16 October 2009)
  • Natural Selection (24 May 2010)
  • High Roads (2016)
  • Anomaly (2022)

References

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  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. ^ a b "Guy Fletcher (2) Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  4. ^ "About Ted Fletcher". Tfpro.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  5. ^ "British New Wave Artist". Belouis Some. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  6. ^ Nissim, Jonathan Horsley (8 February 2024). "Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler assembles guitar heroes supergroup for Local Hero remake". Gold Radio UK. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ Kaufman, Gil (8 February 2024). "Mark Knopfler Roped 60 Guitar Heroes For 'Going Home' Charity Single, Including Bruce Springsteen, Slash, Pete Townshend". Billboard. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  8. ^ Murray, Robin (24 January 2024). "Mark Knopfler Announces New Album One Deep River | News". Clash. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
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