Andy Rourke, bassist of The Smiths, has died at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer.
Rourke’s death was announced by his longtime friend and former bandmate, Johnny Marr. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” Marr wrote. “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans. We request privacy at this sad time.”
Rourke first met Marr at the age of 11 while living in Manchester. As teenagers, they frequently played music together and formed several bands, with Rourke eventually picking up the bass guitar. In 1982, after Marr and Morrissey formed their own band together that they called The Smiths, they invited Rourke to come aboard as assist. The lineup was rounded out by drummer Mike Joyce.
Throughout The Smiths’ career, Rourke’s bass proved became an integral part of their sonic identity. His melodic bass lines often served as counterpoints to Marr’s intricate guitar work, creating a rich tapestry of sound. Rourke’s playing showcased both technical proficiency and a deep understanding of the emotional nuances of the music, contributing to The Smiths’ introspective and introspective style. Describing Rourke’s contribution to The Smiths’ landmark album The Queen is Dead, Marr said he played “something no other bass player could match.”
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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.
We request privacy at this sad time pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) May 19, 2023