R.I.P. Chris Fletcher, 1983 - 2009
For most of you readers, Chris Fletcher is an alien name. For a select few, it’s a name we’re all too familiar with, though none of us ever associated it with anything else but catchy pop-rock sensibilities and a demeanor similar to Ben Gibbard. That’s why many of us were shocked upon hearing of his recent death. This past Tuesday, at his grandparent’s home, Fletcher passed away from undisclosed reasons. He was 25.
There’s a story here and one I’m sure even those closest to him won’t mind re-visiting…
A while back, we talked about five songs that no one had ever heard before. One of the bands mentioned on that list were a little known act out of Gainesville, Florida called The Most. For three solid years, the quirky quintet created an eclectic blend of intense musicianship, catchy melodies and all-around fun to behold on a typical Saturday night — or even a Monday morning. In plain hindsight (always existing in 20/20), the University of Florida never knew what it truly had in retrospect to these guys.
During our time at Florida State University, we played together in the band, The Pax Romana. From time to time, our band and The Most would perform together, both in Tallahassee and in Gainesville, and it always led to a great time full of happy people and just all around good music. Why the back story to such great times? Well, at the helm of The Most’s musical genius laid in the heart of its guitarist, Chris Fletcher.
After The Most bowed out in their hometown of Gainesville on January 11th, 2008, Fletcher and Co. parted ways to work on brand new projects. Lead singer Charlie Honderick went overseas for work, while Fletcher embarked on his own solo project, complete with guitar diddies and well-rounded compositions. For the past year or so, Fletcher worked on his debut album, Friends, Foes & Lovers. Throughout his work, he would frequently update his MySpace on the status of his record with anecdotes and tales from his personal perspective, some that would inevitably shape the record. On tunes such as “Crushed” and “A Tale Of Two Lovers”, Fletcher proved how great and underrated his abilities were as a guitarist and a composer. Fletcher gave his soul into his compositions and revealed a softer side to his otherwise social and rocking persona.
While the guitar inevitably became his weapon of choice for the composition of music, Fletcher bravely ventured into other aspects of music not many tread. His friendly demeanor, eloquent stage show and ferocious but subdued guitar playing will forever bind the man to his music and without question, his recent death has affected Mr. Roffman and I. What more fitting way than to pay tribute to a fallen musician and a great friend? You tell me. For now, enjoy the wonderful sounds of Chris Fletcher.
Editor’s Note: Shortly before they released their debut, Mostified, in fact at their album release party, I told Chris that I wasn’t too hot on “Believe in the Dream”, and that I felt it didn’t have the necessary punch that he promised. We would give each
other shit for our songs sometimes. I would always let up, mostly because I’m self deprecating and hate about everything I do, but he’d never let up. In fact, he only said one thing, “Just give it time.” It’s still my least favorite song on the record (somewhere he’s shaking his fist at me), but something about his devotion to his own music really stuck with me.
Hell, why else would I be writing this, right? The thing is, Fletcher never doubted his music, not once, and there’s something to appreciate there. It’s just a shame things ended the way they did. In fact, earlier this year, I think I even put a Most reunion right above The Kinks on my never ending wish list. Hey, believe in the dream, right?
Let’s step outside the music for a minute. The truth is, we lost a friend. Sure, things might have been rocky towards the end there, but that’s why we’ll remember the good things, right? Those times when we’d share a beer after playing a set, debate about The Beatles, or help each other carry equipment to and from the venue. Sigh. Well Fletcher, you did it…you got me to shed some tears. Son of a bitch, man. We’ll miss you. A lot. It’s hard to think you’re gone and the realization won’t be easy to stomach, my friend. Charlie said it best, “I love you, and you, and you, and you”, and so on. We’ll keep firing in your name pal, but we won’t forget. Ever.
I am so sorry for the loss, and Chris is our loss, but Chris’s gain. Right Sharon! For those who believe in Jesus as there Savior understand what I mean by this, Our loss and his gain. I pray for the lost soul out there, that they will also find the Joy in Jesus in there hearts. I can remeber the days when Chris would be at our home with Cody and Jacob playing. Most of the time swimming and playing CD’s(music).The kid sure loved music. I can also remember the first time that Chris picked up Codys guitar and he took off like know ones busy learning to play. Self taught, That was a God given talent there that Chris had! Chris you will be missed. Love and prayers Deb
Tuesday, Sept. 8th - Chris’ Birthday. Happy Birthday Chris. Let’s all remember good times with him. That is what he would want.
Just wanted you all to know that Chris came to me in my dreams this morning and I have never seen him so happy and with so much peace on his smiling face as he had. He told me he was lost, but now he is found. I got to hug him one more time. And then he was gone. I don’t know if everyone reading this is a believer, but I know we will see him again one day in heaven.
How can I get a CD with chris and his band. I am a great fan of his.
Christopher Fletcher was one of the most honest, talented and creative person I have ever known. It’s an honor to say I was one of his best friends. Besides his mom (ofcourse), I was his biggest fan. From the time we were in our late teens, I went to almost all of his shows. Fletcher was the musical genius behind every band. He also mentored a great amount of aspiring musicians. Many looked up to him because of his dedication and creativity.
more to come…..
Beautifully said. My only problem is that I think Believe in the Dream is amazing.
Totally understandable. Our thoughts are with you!
Thank you so much. I didn’t mean to be so hard about it. I know that you didn’t know. It is a great tribute to him. I am just having a hard time dealing with his loss and get upset easy. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. Thank you for your wonderful words.
I hope the edits suit you.
Is there a way that you can amend the article and just say he died, since we do not know why. The rest of it was nice, but I don’t know where the info came from, but somebody jumped to conclusions. Everything was turning around for Chris and he was the happiest I have seen him in a long time. He was so looking forward to living with me and his step-dad and watching LOST and Battlestar Gallactica together. He had us so hooked on them. It just really hurt me to see this and to find out that both sides of his family has seen it, because Chris really worried about what people thought of him and now everyone thinks the worst.
Well, respectfully, we reported with what we were told. If you’d like us to take this down, then by all means, we will. We had the best intentions, as we were friends with him.
I am furious about this web page. For one, the results of the autopsy are still pending. He was not taking any drugs other than what his doctor had recommended. He did not overdose. These are lies!!! The doctors believe he suffered a brain aneurysm. His music is going to remain his music and no one else is going to steal it!! I think this is such a cruel thing to do to a family…. starting lies! Chris was the happiest he had been in a long time when he died. He was looking forward to moving in a week to Tennessee to live with us and take his music to Nashville. His last email to me was the he was excited and couldn’t wait. We were so proud of him. I think it is terrible that people have to jump to conclusions without knowing anything!!!
I am another one of Chris’ cousins. The last time I saw Chris, he was 15. I have pictures of him as a baby up until the last time I saw him. On the Fletcher side of the family he left behind his father, a step mother, two step sisters, two uncles, two aunts, five cousins and six second cousins. We missed him a lot in the past ten years. He was one of us and we loved him as such. Coincidentally, he died on my brother’s birthday. The day will forever be etched in our memories. I am thankful for all of his friendsthat opened the window of his last years so that we could catch a glimpse of who he had become.
I’m one of Chris’s cousins. I was a lot older than him, some 14 years or so. I never knew Chris as an adult, circumstances were such that our side of the family lost contact with him at a certain point. The Chris I remember was a boy of about 10; I can remember his parents and him stopping by our house while traveling and staying for the night. Chris showed interest in my guitars and I showed him a couple of chords. I remember him complaining about how it hurt his fingers to push down the strings. I guess he got over that. I wasn’t close with Chris in any way other than blood, but it still hurts to see him die at such a young age with so much unfulfilled potential. It seems like he grew up to be a really neat person and I wish I’d had a chance to know him when he was older. It was profoundly comforting to see that he had so many friends who felt enough of a connection to him to come to his memorial, it means he was out in the world trying for forge relationships, and what else is life really about? Those who shared about him gave those of us who hadn’t seen him in a long time a glimpse into the kind of person he had become. It’s nothing but a terribly sad shame for him to die the way it appears he did. To all you out there, please be careful when you’re doing what you do, there are folks that’ll miss you if something goes wrong, and there’s a potential future that just won’t be.
That guy could play the guitar like a champ. Sometimes I would go to their shows and when he played his solo I would have to blink twice and say to myself, “Is that really Chris playing that?”
Rest in peace, Chris. I will always have fond memories of you and your music.
Sorry for your loss.