Legendary Bass Player Andy Rourke, The Smiths, dies age 59

New Music | 19th May, 2023 The Smiths (Public Domain)

Andy Rourke, the bassist for indie legends The Smiths, has died aged 59.

A post on Johnny Marr official Twitter account said:

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. - Johnny Marr

Rourke died after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer, his former bandmate Johnny Marr has said.

Formed in Manchester in 1982, The Smiths sound was dominated by Morrissey’s vocal style and Johnny Marr’s inimitable guitar work. However both would not be possible without the excellent rhythm section between Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.

Rourke’s playing is considered by most as some of the finest Britain has ever known and loved.

Following the break-up of The Smiths, Rourke and Smiths drummer Mike Joyce would play with Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor.

Rourke also played bass on Morrissey's – Interesting Drug, The Last of the Famous International Playboys and Piccadilly Palare.

Rourke would work again with Morrissey composing the music for Yes, I Am Blind (the B-side of Ouija Board, Ouija Board, 1989); Girl Least Likely To (a B-side on the 12-inch single of November Spawned a Monster; also released as a bonus track on the 1997 reissue of Viva Hate); and Get Off the Stage (the B-side of "Piccadilly Palare").

Over the years Rourke would play and recorded with The Pretenders, Killing Joke, Badly Drawn Boy (with whom Rourke toured for two years), Aziz Ibrahim (formerly of the Stone Roses), and ex-Oasis guitarist Bonehead as Moondog One, which also included Mike Joyce and Craig Gannon. Rourke also played bass for Ian Brown, both on tour and on Brown's album The World Is Yours.