The Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke Dies at 59 After Battle With Cancer
The Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke Dies at 59
The news was announced by guitarist Johnny Marr, who has played with Rourke since age 11
Andy Rourke, the bassist for the Smiths, has died aged 59. The band’s guitarist Johnny Marr confirmed the news on Twitter this morning.
“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.”
The Smiths formed in Manchester in 1982, led by Marr and singer Morrissey. Rourke joined the band a few months later, replacing Dale Hibbert, who played the Smiths’ first gig. Rourke, born January 17, 1964, was an old school friend of Marr and the pair started jamming together at age 11. Rourke played on many of the band’s iconic recordings, including hits like “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.”
Rourke played in Freebass alongside fellow Mancunian bass guitarists, New Order’s Peter Hook and the Stone Roses’ Mani, and in D.A.R.K. with the Cranberries vocalist Dolores O’Riordan. Throughout his career he recorded with Sinead O’Connor, the Pretenders, and Ian Brown and toured with Badly Drawn Boy. Rourke also played on solo Morrissey songs in 1989, including as “Last of the International Playboys” and “Interesting Drug,” following the Smiths’ split.
The Smiths producer Stephen Street remembered Rourke on Twitter, writing, “Andy was a superb musician and a lovely guy. I haven’t been able to read any other news about details yet but I send my deepest condolences and thoughts to his friends and family.”
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Emily Zemler, Khareem Sudlow
