Picture Credit score: Andy Rourke (left) with The Smiths. Paul Cox for Sire Data.Andy Rourke, bassist for The Smiths, has handed away aged 59 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic most cancers.
Finest often called The Smiths’ bassist, Andy Rourke handed away at age 59 after a protracted battle with pancreatic most cancers. Former bandmate Johnny Marr introduced his demise on Twitter.
“It’s with deep disappointment that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a prolonged sickness with pancreatic most cancers,” writes Marr. “Andy shall be remembered as a sort and delightful soul by those that knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music followers. We request privateness at this unhappy time.”
A buddy of Marr’s since they have been boys in class, Rourke performed in a number of bands in his native Manchester earlier than becoming a member of Marr and Morrissey to type The Smiths in 1982. Marr recollects their childhood friendship in a submit paying tribute to Rourke on Instagram, how the pair “spent all our time finding out music, having enjoyable, and dealing on turning into the most effective musicians we may probably be.”
“Again then, Andy was a guitar participant and an excellent one at that, however it was when he picked up the bass that he would discover his true calling and his singular expertise would flourish,” says Marr.
“All through our teenagers, we performed in varied bands round South Manchester earlier than making our reputations with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and it was on these Smiths data that Andy reinvented what it’s to be a bass guitar participant.”
“I used to be current at each one in every of Andy’s bass takes on each Smiths session,” Marr continues. “Generally I used to be there because the producer and typically simply as his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play these dazzling basslines was an absolute privilege and genuinely one thing to behold.”
“We maintained our friendship over time, irrespective of the place we have been or what was taking place, and it’s a matter of non-public delight in addition to disappointment that the final time Andy performed on stage was with me and my band at Madison Sq. Backyard in September 2022,” Marr’s tribute continues. “It was a particular second that we shared with my household and his spouse and soul mate, Francesca.”
“Andy will at all times be remembered as a sort and delightful soul by everybody who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by individuals who love music,” concludes Marr. “Effectively executed, Andy. We’ll miss you, brother.”
Rourke labored with many artists within the years after The Smiths cut up in 1987, together with The Pretenders, Sinead O’Connor, Badly Drawn Boy, and Ian Brown. He appeared on a lot of Morrissey’s solo data, and Rourke teamed up with two different Manchester-born bassists — Peter Hook and Mani — to type the group Freebass.