Entertainment

The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke dead at 59 after cancer battle

By
Social Links for Richard Pollina
Published May 19, 2023
Updated May 19, 2023, 8:49 a.m. ET

Andy Rourke, the bassist and founding member of the iconic British rock band, The Smiths, has died of cancer.

He was 59.

Former band member and guitarist Johnny Marr broke the heartbreaking news of Rourke’s death, which came after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

“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,” Marr said on Twitter.

Rourke befriended Marr when he was 11 years old, with the two regularly jamming together in their teenage years before forming The Smiths with frontman Morrisey and drummer Mike Joyce in 1982.

Andy Rourke of The Smiths performs on stage at Hammersmith Palais, on March 12th, 1984 in London, England.
Andy Rourke playing bass on stage with The Smiths at Hammersmith Palais, on Mar. 12th, 1984 in London, England. Redferns
(L-R) Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, Morrissey, and Johnny Marr performing live on stage in England on Jan. 1, 1984.
Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, Morrissey, and Johnny Marr (L-R) performing live on stage in England on Jan. 1, 1984. Redferns

The Manchester native was a key band member until their 1987 breakup, before the release of their fourth studio album “Strangeways, Here We Come.”

Rourke continued to work with Morrissey on his solo project and performed alongside artists Sinéad O’Connor, The Pretenders, Badly Drawn Boy, and guitarist Aziz Ibrahim, according to CNN.

Bassist Mat Osman of Suede praised Rourke’s unique talent as he mourned the rocker.

Rourke (right) and Johnny Marr, on stage during the 'Manchester Versus Cancer' charity concert, held at the Manchester Evening News (M.E.N.) Arena in Manchester, on Jan. 28 2006.
Rourke (right) and Johnny Marr, on stage during the ‘Manchester Versus Cancer’ charity concert, held at the Manchester Evening News (M.E.N.) Arena in Manchester, on Jan. 28, 2006. PA Images via Getty Images
The Smiths pose for a portrait before their first show in Detroit during the 1985 Meat Is Murder Tour on June 8, 1985 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan.
The Smiths pose for a portrait before their first show in Detroit during the 1985 Meat Is Murder Tour on June 8, 1985 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. Getty Images

“A total one-off – a rare bassist whose sound you could recognise straight away. I remember so clearly playing that Barbarism break over and over, trying to learn the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the track along,” the rocker tweeted.

“I am so saddened to hear this news! Andy was a superb musician and a lovely guy,” longtime Smiths producer Stephen Street tweeted.

“I first met Andy aged 17 @simonWolstencr1 party. We remained pals. One of the highlights of my music life was Andy playing on my The World is Yours album and accompanying me onstage on a UK tour and my first show in MOSCOW. Belly laughs all the way. RiP Brother X,” Frontman of The Stone Roses Ian Brown tweeted.