Andy Rourke, the famend musician and bass guitarist of The Smiths, has handed away on the age of 59. He died on Friday after a protracted battle with pancreatic most cancers. The information was confirmed by Rourke’s former bandmate Johnny Marr.
The bassist was the founding member of The Smiths, together with Marr, Morrissey, and Mike Joyce. The group grew to become well-known as essentially the most iconic different rock band in Britain within the Nineteen Eighties. Learn on to know extra about Rourke’s life and profession.
‘The Smiths’ Bassist Andy Rourke Dies at 59
Guitarist Johnny Marr took to Twitter to announce the demise of his former bandmate. He wrote, “It’s with deep disappointment that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a prolonged sickness with pancreatic most cancers.”
“Andy might be remembered as a sort and exquisite soul by those that knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music followers. We request privateness at this unhappy time,” the assertion continued.
Born in 1964 in Manchester, to an English mom and an Irish father, Rourke was all the time inclined in the direction of music and began studying guitar on the age of seven. “I all the time used to get a musical instrument both for Christmas or on my birthday, so I went by plastic trumpets, saxophone, keyboard,” the musician recalled in an interview in 2016.
Rourke Carried out on All of ‘The Smiths’ Albums
The bassist had been associates with Marr since childhood and shaped The Smiths with him in 1982. He performed with the band in all 4 of their albums: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Homicide (1985), The Queen Is Useless (1986) and Strangeways, Right here We Come (1987). The band cut up following the discharge of their fourth album.
Rourke then went on to play with Freebass, a bunch of bassists, together with Gary “Mani” Mounfield and Peter Hoo. Over time, he additionally collaborated with Killing Joke, Sinead O’Connor, Pretenders, and Badly Drawn Boy. His final launch was Sturdy Ceaselessly in 2022, with Blitz Vega, a band he shaped with vocalist Kav Sandhu in 2019.
Bandmates Pay Tributes
Following the information, various personalities from the music world, together with Rourke’s former bandmates, took to Twitter to mourn his demise. Morrissey wrote, “I simply hope wherever Andy has gone that he’s OK. He won’t ever die so long as his music is heard.”
“He didn’t ever know his personal energy, and nothing that he performed had been performed by another person. His distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it could possibly be finished. I suppose, on the finish of all of it, we hope to really feel that we have been valued. Andy needn’t fear about that,” the singer added.
Mike Joyce wrote, “Not solely essentially the most gifted bass participant I’ve ever had the privilege to play with however the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the constructing, however his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you a lot already. Ceaselessly in my coronary heart, mate.”
Bassist Mat Osman tweeted, “Aw man. RIP Andy Rourke. A complete one-off – a uncommon bassist whose sound you would recognise immediately. I keep in mind so clearly enjoying that Barbarism break again and again, making an attempt to be taught the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the observe alongside.”
Our heartfelt condolences to Andy Rourke’s household and associates.
