Guy Fletcher

Guy Fletcher (born May 24, 1960 in Maidstone, Kent, England) Fletcher is a multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the keyboardist in the popular English rock band Dire Straits from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his involvement in nearly every part of Mark Knopfler's solo work to date. Guy was born into a musical family; his uncle, also named Guy Fletcher, has written several hits for other artists with composing partner Doug Flett, joining Roxy Music in 1981 for their 'Avalon' world tour. Young Guy Fletcher learned keyboards, guitars, and a variety of stringed instruments. In 1983, Fletcher was recruited by Dire Straits' lead guitarist Mark Knopfler to work on the music for the film Cal. 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. Following the disbanding of Dire Straits in 1995, Fletcher has continued to be associated with the band's frontman Mark Knopfler's solo career as a core member of his band. Between late February and August, 2005, Fletcher completed a world tour with Mark Knopfler, promoting Knopfler's 2004 solo album, Shangri-La, in 2006 rounded off the duets tour with Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. Fletcher co-produced and played keyboards on Mark Knopfler's latest solo album, Kill To Get Crimson, and was again part of his subsequent world tour (29th March - 31th July 2008). In 1996, Fletcher toured as part of Bryan Ferry´s band on his Mamouna world tour. Solo work Fletcher's first solo album, titled "Inamorata", was released on January 28, 2008. Mark Knopfler guests on lead guitar for two tracks, and various musicians who have been assosciated with Knopfler's band also make appearances. The album is available at Guy´s website http://www.guyfletcher.co.uk and also in shops in UK only (now). Personal life Guy Fletcher is married to Laurie-Ann and has two children, Max and Leon. Max is in his own fledgling band Des Capulets who released their first EP on Myspace music in May 2007 after being together for only 4 weeks. The EP was recorded and engineered by Guy Fletcher, and was then mixed by both Guy and the band. Des Capulets, having secured a large fan-base & becoming increasingly populer in their local city of Chichester, are now gigging more and more along the south coast. In Brighton the band have hopes to be noticed as much as they were in their home-town. Now in February 2008 they have a wide set list of original songs in their repitoire. On his 48th birthday, Guy was given Knopfler's red stratocaster on stage in Brighton as a gift.