Guy Fletcher

Music

When Guy Fletcher was born in Maidstone, Kent in 1960 music was already a way of life in the household. Guy’s Mum, Dad and Uncle had their own group ‘The Cameos’. “One of my first musical memories was at the age of four, singing songs and being recorded in the Fletcher garage studio”. In his early teens, he discovered bass guitar and soon got to grips with the technical aspects of recording since his dad, Ted was at the time designing and building studios.

It was probably the Beatles who eventually put the seal on his future. In 1967 he heard two particular records which made up his mind — Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. “I was fascinated by the sounds the Beatles were making, indeed it was the start of my life–long relationship with studio work and production”. Other influences came through Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Steely Dan, Keith Emerson, Phil Spector, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the list goes on. When he left school at the age of 15, he was compelled to find a job in London within the music business. Out went job application letters to every studio and publisher in the capital. “I think I got two replies and was finally offered a job as a tea boy/runner with ATV music publishing, a year later I was offered a tape–op job at DJM studios in New Oxford Street and was soon recording and engineering bands”. For two years he was able to satisfy an obsession with the manipulation of tape but Guy soon decided that performing live was more exciting than the studio job and left to pursue his own bands. Guy joined Bryan Ferry’s Roxy Music in 1981 for their Avalon outing, his introduction to world touring at the age of 21 with bleached white hair with a red streak across the fringe.

Guy first met Mark in 1983, when he turned up at his house with a synth under his arm. They proceeded to collaborate on the film soundtracks for Cal and Comfort and Joy before embarking on the Brothers in Arms album and world tour. Since then Guy has been involved in all of Mark’s work with Dire Straits, the solo albums and all the film projects. In the many years as a studio musician, he has collaborated with artists such as Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Aztec Camera and Difford and Tillbrook.

More recently Guy took on several film scores of his own including a 72–minute orchestral score for Tooth, as well as Niagara Motel, Spirit Trap and Sergeant Pepper.

After working closely with and co-producing Mark’s album Kill To Get Crimson, Guy released his debut solo album Inamorata which is available now from his website.

Mark also makes guest appearances on Inamorata.

Guy Fletcher’s official website